Eesti Elu / Estonian Life

07/22/2025

The EV revolution is moving beyond cars and bikes. Next up are the harbours of Canada and Estonia's biggest cities.

In Toronto and Tallinn, cities and ferry companies are planning electric passenger ferries that would make for not only more sustainable transportation but also larger passenger and vehicle volumes. Can these projects make it to the finish line and make their way through technical hurdles and setbacks in project management?

See the possibilities 👉🏼 https://eestielu.ca/toronto-and-tallinn-are-due-to-have-electric-passenger-ferries-pulling-into-their-harbours/

07/17/2025

EstoCast is taking a summer break and we're resharing some of our old episodes so you can tune in in case you've missed them! Since Laulu- ja tantsupidu just took place, we thought sharing a discussion with our very own Katariina Tirmaste would be perfect, since she performed as a musician at Tantsupidu. Happy listening - we hope you're enjoying your summer! ☀️

Winning an Etnokulp award (a big wooden ladle) was a surprise for flautist and composer Katariina Tirmaste . There she was, happily singing a runo song together with the audience at the Estonian Traditional Music Center in Viljandi… when all of a sudden her name was called out!

Of course, she’s very active as a musician, and in this episode of EstoCast, we hear about the:

🪈 the many projects and collaborations she’s been a part of—including Hypnosis Negative, which connects Canada and Estonia

🪈 the beauty of musical unison and the way phrasing and dynamics guide dancing

🪈 the multinational, spontaneous qualities of folk music

🪈 and much more!

🎧 Tune in on your favourite streaming platform today or click here: https://estocast.buzzsprout.com/

Happy listening!

07/15/2025

“You should not care whether people like your music, it is important to be authentic and do what you believe in.”

For composer , this core realization didn't come easy.

His journey began in Toronto, where he grew up in the Claude Watson Arts Program, but a fateful encounter with Estonian composer Helena Tulve changed the course of his life.

Delve into what set things right musically for Maimets, his impressions of Laulupidu, and the emphasis he puts on anti-colonialism in his work. 👉🏼 https://eestielu.ca/riho-esko-maimets-how-i-became-a-composer-in-estonia/

07/11/2025

Week 1 of Eesti Elu’s zine workshops is a wrap! Campers at Seedrioru and Jõekääru explored creativity, self-expression, and their Estonian heritage through zine-making. Each page prompted them to reflect on their camp experience in unique ways.

Head to our website for a sneak peek of this week’s zines—full galleries coming at the end of each session! https://eestielu.ca/previewing-week-1-of-eesti-elus-zine-workshops-at-seedrioru-and-joekaaru/

📸: Zines made by keskmised (intermediate) and suured (senior) campers at Seedrioru and Jõekääru.

07/11/2025

The 2025 Estonian Song and Dance Festival was a success, lighting up rainy skies in Tallinn with music, pride, and spirit. 🇪🇪❤️

📸 See the complete collection of photos by Peeter Põldre here: https://eestielu.ca/et/uudised/puhka-eestis/

Can you spot any familiar faces? 👀🎶

07/04/2025

🎉 Seedrioru Estonian Summer Camp celebrated its 70th anniversary with a heartwarming Suvihari weekend surrounded by good friends and beautiful nature! 🇨🇦🇪🇪

Check out the full story and more photos here: https://eestielu.ca/seedrioru-tahistas-70-aastapaeva-kodune-suvihari-kauni-looduse-keskel/ 💙

Photos from Maimu and Tauno Mölder: volleyball tournament winners Rudy Zutis, Quinn Rungi, Ryan Rungi, Tom Rebane, Eerik Aljas, Heiki Hess; chess club president Jaak Järve; sunset bonfire; ceremony; delicious treats.

07/03/2025

The Song Festival begins today! Vancouver’s Läänetuul choir is once again crossing continents to sing in Tallinn. 🇨🇦🎶🇪🇪

Eesti Elu spoke with conductor Thomas Kirves about the choir’s return to Laulupidu for the fourth time, the challenges of mastering this year’s repertoire, and why singing together in Estonia is an experience that stays with you forever.

👉 Read the full story on our website, available in both Estonian and English.
https://eestielu.ca/hakkame-sattima-soodsad-tuuled-viivad-vancouveri-laanetuule-laulupeole/


📸 Photo: The Vancouver Estonian Choir, “Läänetuul” (private collection).

07/02/2025

The Song Festival begins tomorrow! Estonia Koor is once again heading to Tallinn to take the stage at Laulupidu, continuing a proud tradition that began in 1990. At the time, they were the only Estonian choir from abroad invited to perform at the event. Today, they are singing beside Estonians from all over the world.

Eesti Elu spoke with conductor Ingrid Silm about the choir’s history, the legacy of Roman Toi, and what it means to return to the festival in 2025 with a new generation of singers.

👉 Read the full story on our website:
https://eestielu.ca/hakkame-sattima-estonia-koor-taas-tallinna-teel-laulupeole/


📸 Photo: Estonia Koor's conductor Ingrid Silm at Laulupidu in 2014, erakogu.

06/30/2025

The countdown is on — the XXVIII Song and Dance Festival is happening this week! 🇪🇪✨ Dancers from Vancouver’s folk group Kilplased are making final preparations as they get ready to take part in the celebration.

🇨🇦 Eesti Elu spoke with the group about what it means to participate in this year’s festival, "ISEOMA."

👉 Read the full story on our website:
https://eestielu.ca/hakkame-sattima-vancouveri-kilplased-teel-tantsupeole/


📸 Photo: Kilplased in the 2019 Song and Dance Festival parade, by Kai Kiilaspea.

06/27/2025

The wait is almost over — the XXVIII Song and Dance Festival kicks off next week! Final preparations are in full swing, with careful checks to ensure every seam, button, ribbon, and lace is perfectly in place.

💃 Eesti Elu spoke with Talvi Parming, dance director of the Kungla Folkdance Group from Toronto, which has been included for the first time.

👉 Read the full story on our website, available in both English and Estonian:
https://eestielu.ca/hakkame-sattima-terr-kunglal-on-tantsusammud-selged-ja-pastlad-valmis/



📸 Photo: Talvi Parming dancing with Kungla, by Peeter Põldre.