International

The Boston Baltic Film Festival returns to Boston on Friday, February 27 at 6:30 pm, opening its eighth season with a strong Estonian presence and the North American premiere of “Fränk”, one of Estonia’s most talked-about recent films. The screening takes place at the historic Emerson Paramount Center, where Edith...

Estonia’s 108th anniversary of independence is soon approaching. Let me take you on a short stream-of-consciousness journey.  All four of my grandparents were born in the 19th century and were young adults at the time of the nation's birth. I got to know three of them; however, I’m not aware...

“The Trei Family in New York City” is part of Vabamu’s new exhibition “Ilmaküla eestlased” or “Estonia Worldwide,” which tells the story of Estonian diaspora communities from the mid-19th century to the present. “The Trei Family” installation, designed as a digital photo album, highlights the lives of my grandparents, Alice...

The popular Estonian film “Fränk” opens the 8th season of the highly acclaimed Boston Baltic Film Festival on February 27, 2026 at the historic Paramount Theater in downtown Boston. Tõnis Pill, the film’s director and Edith Sepp, CEO of the Estonian Film Institute, will introduce the film. “Fränk” was the...

As we enter 2026, I wish you all a healthy, prosperous, and joyful New Year on behalf of the Estonian American National Council! Amid the crosscurrents of today’s world, we as Estonian Americans can find inspiration, purpose, and a sense of grounding in our heritage and in the enduring richness,...

The Baltic Security Initiative is now officially ensconced in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act at a level of $175 million. The act, which was signed into law by President Trump on December 18, will deepen “security cooperation with the military forces of the Baltic countries” and “achieve United States...

Many are still reminiscing about Summer 2025 in Estonia with happy and moving memories about ESTO 2025 and the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration “Iseoma”.  The Estonian American National Council (EANC) - Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides (ERKÜ) is proud to support such meaningful events in various ways. As we continue...

The Christmas market on Tallinn’s Town Hall Square opened on November 21. It is like a winter fairytale land – the square is decorated with a sparkling Christmas tree and surrounded by small wooden huts. These offer everything from Christmas goods and gifts to food and drinks. Strolling through the...

Ernst Jaakson is not only a historical figure. For Estonian diplomats, he stands as one of the towering personalities of our foreign service – a man with a moral compass many could envy. His life story is something that could only emerge from the combination of a person deeply committed...

Three years ago, Estonian gallerist and art dealer Margot Samel opened her own gallery in New York City. Since then, Samel has been working to promote young artists and even sold her first work in New York to Leonardo DiCaprio. Estonian gallerist Margot Samel studied art history in Scotland, where...