Communities

In times of peace, it’s easy to forget how important the ties that bind us can be. In times of global strife and uncertainty however, the significance of our relations with our neighbors, and our alliances with like minded people, quickly return to the forefront. A few weeks ago, I...

In the war Russia wages against Ukraine, we primarily see kinetic forms of warfare. These are the tangible horrors of bombs, missiles, and rockets exploding against civilian centers, ordinance dropped by drones onto military vehicles from above, and sometimes the terrible trench warfare that persists on the frontlines. There are...

Rein Deaton is a young professional in the field of art, who has taken on a heartfelt mission: creating rahvariided (traditional clothing) for the Estonian-American community. The idea of having unique skirts and blouses to represent local communities sends shivers down the spine for many. The project started with Rein...

On April 4 Estonian artist Kristi Kongi opened her first solo exhibition „Twilight in the Garden“ at Friedrichs Pontone Gallery in New York City. Kongi paints abstracted landscapes through contrasting, bright colors and geometric shapes. Her work emphasizes the beauty of nature through a fragmented lens. By focusing on the...

There’s an image I can’t shake: A 13-year-old girl clings to the railing of the hospital ship Moero, fleeing the carnage of war gripping her home country of Estonia. The year is 1944. The Soviets have mined the harbor in Tallinn, and the ship groans under the weight of desperate...

Cleveland area Estonians gathered at Der Braumeis-ter restaurant to celebrate independence day.  We had Estonians from as far away as Dayton, OH and Ann Arbor, MI in attendance.  After lunches were ordered, Toomas Tubalkain introduced Latvian representative Karlis Blooms and Lithuanian Honorary Consul Mrs. Ingrida Bublys. They both gave brief...

The Boston Baltic Film Festival (BBFF) returns for 7th season with new Estonian films on February 28 - March 17, 2025. Most Estonians know the touching song that is always performed at the song festivals, “Ta lendab mesipuu poole/ He flies toward the honey tree…” But few people know the...

Washington – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, along with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) met with ambassadors to the U.S. from various...

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's year-end address to Estonians around the world The world is going through a difficult time. Living far away from home during critical times is sure to stir various feelings but let us keep our heads clear and hearts warm. In Europe, Ukrainians have been fighting...

Along the many pathways to freedom that started with the mass flight from Estonia 80 years ago, our stories evolve to this day. You can engrave that story right into the heart of North America's 4th largest city, at KESKUS: Estonian Arts Centre presents the Pathway to Freedom paver stone...