By Anneliis Beadnell
When artist Jaanika Peerna was asked to create an exhibition for New York Estonian House’s annual Kultuuripäevad (Cultural Days) 2010 she was positive that the Estonian language was to be the muse of the exhibition. The question was how to get more artists, Estonians and non-Estonians, to interact on such an endeavor?  
After several months of discussions (amongst Leevi Ernits, Jaanika and me) Latatara was born to break down the common functions of straight lingual translation through visual poetry.

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Published: April 26 2010

Washington, DC (JBANC) -The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) is pleased to announce that it will co-sponsor a full-day conference with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on the soon-to-be released NATO Strategic Concept. The event will take place on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC.

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Published: May 10 2010

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, host of the Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) for summer 2010 and 2011 is seeking qualified Estonian language instructors for elementary and intermediate Estonian for summer 2010 (and 2011). This is an intensive, eight-week program that involves 4 hours of instruction a day, plus grading. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is an incredibly rewarding experience, as we attract many qualified American graduate students who require a Baltic language for their research.

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Published: April 19 2010

FM Review, May 6, - Meeting with executive secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Tibor Toth in New York, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that Estonia supports the work of the CTBTO in building up a verification regime for nuclear testing.

Paet stated that an effective monitoring system helps to achieve security regarding the appropriate use of nuclear energy and nuclear testing. “Uniting the restriction of nuclear arms and the ban on nuclear testing is necessary to increase the nuclear safety of the world, but it must happen alongside global security measures with monitoring systems being made more effective,” said Paet. “Building up the system will hopefully give additional security to nations that have not yet joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It is essential that the international community be provided with information on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” noted the Estonian foreign minister.

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Published: May 29 2010

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Finland and Estonia from April 21 to 23, 2010.
In Finland, Secretary Clinton will meet with senior Finnish officials to discuss European security issues, as well as Afghanistan and Iran, as a part of our ongoing bilateral consultations. In the year of the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, she will also give a speech outlining the global human security agenda for the 21st century.
The Secretary will continue to Estonia to attend the NATO Informal Foreign Ministerial. On April 22 and 23, the Secretary will participate in meetings with NATO Allies to discuss a range of issues before the Alliance, including European security and Afghanistan. She will also meet with senior Estonian officials to discuss our bilateral relationship, and will have a media event with Estonian citizens.
www.state.gov

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Published: April 19 2010

9 April (BNS) - According to a syllabus now being worked out, Finnish could be taught at Estonian schools as a second foreign language starting from 2013. At present it is possible to learn Finnish as a third or fourth foreign language in high school, which means one weekly lesson for three years, a total of 210 lessons.
According to the Finnish Institute, a syllabus will enter into force from 2013 that will make it possible to teach Finnish starting from the sixth grade as the second foreign language in three weekly lessons.

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Published: April 19 2010

The Estonian folk dance world has never seen anything comparable over its last century of existence.
This past summer’s Folk Dance Celebration themed “Meri” (English ...“The Sea”) left hundreds of people standing behind the gates due to lack of seats in the stadium. It did not matter that the same concert was performed on three occasions. People were shocked – this is impossible?
The Dance Celebration is similar in scale to the Olympic Opening Ceremonies with over 7500 dancers performing on the big field at once. As recent as the turn of the millennium, it was believed that Folk Dance Celebrations would need to be dropped from the Song-and-Dance Festival scene due to lack of audiences.

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Published: April 19 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – Maria Kivisild Ogrydziak, Chairman of the U.S.- Baltic Foundation (USBF) announced on March 19 that Estonian Composer Arvo Pärt will receive the Baltic Image Enhancement Award at the 2010 U.S.-Baltic Gala.
The 2010 U.S.- Baltic Gala to be held on Saturday, May 8th at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC.  Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius will be the Guest of Honor and receive USBF’s Baltic Statesmanship Award.  

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Published: April 12 2010