June 26 – July 2, 2025
Stockholm-Narva-Tallinn
The 2025 Global Estonian Cultural Festival, ESTO, will be hosted in Stockholm, Tallinn, and Narva from June 26 to July 2, 2025. The ESTO Festival has brought together Estonians from around the world since 1972 to celebrate their shared culture, heritage, and achievements – and to promote unity and reinforce the bonds between Estonians around the world. ESTO 2025 will coincide with and precede the XXVIII Song Festival and XXI Dance Festival happening July 3 – 6, in Tallinn.
ESTO 2025 will launch in Skansen, Stockholm where in 1925, Estonians participating in a Swedish Dance Festival were inspired to import the Swedish tradition to Estonia. The festival will then be transported by ship and train to Narva. Among the many events being planned for ESTO in Narva are a youth congress focusing on multilingualism, and a high-level business forum. An international Estonian beach volleyball tournament will take place in Narva-Jõesuu. Among other cultural events, historical excursions of the Narva and Ida-Virumaa region are planned – a region that is undergoing significant renewal and revitalization.
A National Congress will be organized by the Estonian World Council, and a Gala finale event is planned for Tallinn, along with concerts, exhibitions, and meetings of various networks.
“The Association of Estonians in Sweden (REL) is very pleased to host the first phase of ESTO 2025 in Stockholm,” said Sirle Sööt, REL chairman and president of ESTO 2019. “The opening in Skansen will provide an opportunity to introduce our heritage more broadly and highlight how the tradition of Estonian Dance festivals originated in Sweden. Estonians around the world have left cultural footprints in Sweden and taken them on to Canada, the USA, and elsewhere. At ESTO 2025, we want to offer the joy of discovery and of coming together. We’ll learn the story of Narva and celebrate global Estonians, successful integration, and multilingualism.”
Key organizers and partners include the Association of Estonians in Sweden (REL), the NGO ESTO Committee, the Estonian Central Council in Canada (EKN), the Network of Estonian Organizations in Finland (EOVS), the Global Estonian Youth Network (ÜENV), the Association of Estonian Cultural Societies (EKSÜ), the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation, Dance Celebration Museum, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Estonian Ministry of Culture, the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, the Estonian Embassy in Sweden, the Integration Foundation (INSA), Estonian Institute, the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory, the City of Narva, the City of Tallinn, the City of Narva-Jõesuu, the Estonian World Council (ÜEKN), the NGO Global Estonians, and others.
For further information:
Sirle Sööt
[email protected]
Link to ESTO 2025 website www.estofestival.com
(will be updated soon)
