On September 18th, the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) held a virtual policy discussion on the Kremlin's disinformation campaigns, Putin's recent attempts at revisionism, their role in the changing political landscape, and implications for upcoming elections.

Panelists explored effective counter-narratives to fight back on multiple levels, including in the political, economic, and military spheres, and how the Three Seas Initiative should be a positive factor in this challenge.

As an active member in the CEEC, the Estonian American National Council’s Washington, DC Director played a large role in organizing and executing the successful and well-received event.

Details

Published: September 28 2020

USA wide ONLINE EVENT
October 15-18
October 29-November 1
November 12-15

The Third Annual New York Baltic Film Festival (NYBFF)  returns in 2020 with a virtual version  and will expand beyond New York to offer a selection of the most exciting and relevant Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian films to audiences across the U.S., to view in the comfort of their own homes.

In 2020, NYBFF invites viewers to look at the world through Baltic eyes and be inspired to seize opportunities for positive change.

Details

Published: September 28 2020

Multiple Events Commemorate the 1944 Great Refugee Flight

On September 19, a monument was unveiled on the seashore of Puise peninsula in Lääne County, dedicated to the 75 000+ people, who fled Estonia ahead of the second Soviet invasion in the fall of 1944.

More than 5000 of those who fled lost their lives on the journey.

Details

Published: September 28 2020

Ambassador Jonatan Vseviov and Alvar Soosaar.
Photo by Estonian Embassy in Washington

In September, Alvar Soosaar began his term as Director of U.S. investment and Trade out of the Embassy in Washington, DC.

His naming came as part of the expansion of Estonia’s business diplomacy efforts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I look forward to devoting my time, effort, and network full-time to growing Estonia’s exports to, and investment from, the United States,” said Soosaar. “It was time for me to contribute back to a country that has given me and my family so much, a country that has world-class companies and products that it wants to share.”

Details

Published: September 20 2020

Tervitused Seattlest,
The Seattle Estonian Society and West Coast Estonian Days (LEP) organizing committee have a few announcements that we would like to share.

First, in light of the current COVID-19 crisis, Seattle LEP 2021 will be postponed.

But do not worry, Seattle will be hosting the 35th LEP when it is safe for us all to gather together once again.

Details

Published: September 20 2020

Estonian Children Abroad Began a New Virtual School Year

On September 15, the "Global School" (Üleilmakool) for Estonian-speaking children living outside of Estonia started its eighth academic year with 260 students from 29 countries.

Elementary school-age students have the opportunity to study Estonian language and literature, Estonian history, social studies, Estonian geography and mathematics from a selection of 28 different courses.

Details

Published: September 20 2020

Joonas Tarm & Terttu Uibopuu

On August 5, Undercurrent launched “10001,” a collaborative virtual project that continues through September 12.

This project is co-organized by the European Union National Institutes of Culture’s New York Cluster.

Borrowing the zip code from both the Empire State Building and New York City’s Central Post Office, “10001” focuses on the collaboration of strangers and the narrative of their collective creative process using New York City as the linchpin.

Details

Published: September 12 2020

The Estonian community in Los Angeles is built upon the work of the generations that came before us, those whose work was dedicated to preserving our language and culture in this place far from our homeland. On September 2, we lost Boris Auksmann, whose hand was in practically everything Estonians did and have done in Southern California.

Boris Auksmann is probably the most intelligent person whom I have ever met.

He earned a PhD in engineering, held a teaching position at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech), then later worked as a court expert on accident reconstructions.

Details

Published: September 12 2020