Episodes
-
Between children’s music and educational YouTube channels, the Estonian multimedia project known as Lolala has become part of tens of thousands of people’s lives. And it all started in the living room of Anna and Arian Levin.
As Anna, the latest EstoCast episode guest, describes, they were equipped with performance experience, imaginative songs, and a green screen. The setup wasn’t fancy. But even so, things really took off. And their own children have been right there with them all along, enjoying the music and heart-warming exploration.
In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:
🎙️ Anna’s transition from jazz singing to writing problem-solving songs
🖥️ how the early Estonian-language YouTube scene prompted their work
🎉 how parents having fun opens up possibilities for kids
📹 and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode include:
-The Lolala YouTube channel focused on songs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMs1kSXBvdz6FNUspm2awmg
-The “Lolala Avastab” YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LolalaAvastab
-Lolala Anna avastab suusatamist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz59YIcy3Fw#:~:text=Lolala%20Anna%20avastab%20suusatamist%20%7C%20%C3%95pime,K%C3%B5ik%20suusatama!
-The Baltic Film and Media School: https://www.tlu.ee/en/bfm
-George Ots Tallinn Music College: https://otsakool.edu.ee/uldinfo/about-the-college/
-Ms. Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/@msrachel
-Blippi’s educational videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5PYHgAzJ1wLEidB58SK6Xw
-Lolala at the butterfly house: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgRAfqUv9cs
-Lolala visits a rescue team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TovB5QtxXpQ
-A sampling of Lolala’s album Mina ise!, dedicated to daily routines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2XtkVAuRZw
-See Lolala’s tour dates: https://lolala.ee/
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Monika Siim-Kiviloo on inspireeriv ja mitmekülgne tegija, keda tõi Torontosse alguses filmiproduktsiooni õpe Yorki ülikoolis ja seejärel üldinseneri õpingud Toronto Ülikoolis. Kuid Monika on ka VEMU tiimi kõige noorem ja värskem liige, kus ta muu hulgas tegeleb ürituste pildistamise-filmimisega, intervjueerib professionaalseid naisi meie kogukonnas ja toimetab arhiivis. Vestleme temaga elust välismaal, õppimisest Kanadas ja veel paljust muust.
Värkses saates kuulete:
🏙️ kuidas Monika jõudis Torontosse ning mis kultuuriüllatusi või “šokke” ta siin kogenud on
📝 Kanada ja Eesti haridussüsüsteemide võrdlust
✈️mis oskusi on välismaal õppimine Monikale juurde andnud🔎 tähelepanekuid Kanada ja Ameerika kultuuride kohta noore eestlase vaatepunktist
Saates mainiti:
- Toronto ülikooli inseneriteaduse osakond: https://www.engineering.utoronto.ca/
- Veel Monikast: https://eestielu.ca/meet-the-tartu-college-community-monika-siim/
- VEMU YouTubei kanal: https://www.youtube.com/user/VEMUESC
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Missing episodes?
-
Olga Loitsenko, the latest guest on EstoCast, is on a mission. Well, a number of them actually, if you count hunting for coffee and employment, but above all she’s working to climb her way up as a comedian here in Canada. And the stakes are high, as this snippet of the new episode indicates.
In advance of her performances at VEMU Estonian Museum Canada on Saturday May 23rd (part of Doors Open Toronto), listen to the show to hear about:
😁 How her study of linguistics opened her up to many more potential misunderstandings
😁 Her observations of Australians versus Canadians
😁 Her reluctance to cross-country ski
😁 and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode include:
-Olga’s profile on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olgaloitsenko/
-Olga profile on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olgafromestonia
-A bit about her show “Olgavision”: https://www.aussievision.net/post/olga-loitsenko-combines-therapy-and-eurovision-for-her-new-comedy-show-olgavision
-The “Võõrkehad” podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/54SvkIVgGFvINyhAFEVaHM
-VEMU Estonian Museum Canada’s programming for Doors Open Toronto 2026: https://www.vemu.ca/event/visit-vemu-with-doors-open-toronto-free-live-comedy-featuring-olga-loitsenko-and-alex-kotsyk/
-Olga performing in Australia for “Tell Us Another One”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6bjoXqW0WA
-Olga at Melbourne Comedy Festival: https://eesti.org.au/2024/03/04/estonian-comedians-at-the-melbourne-comedy-festival-apr-2024/
-The town of Rakvere, where Olga is from: https://goodtravel.guide/rakvere/
-Cafe Belém: https://www.instagram.com/cafebelem.to/
-Arvo Coffee: https://arvocoffee.com/
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Kaarel Piirimäe on ajaloolane ja mõtleja, kes avab oma käsitlustes Eesti ja Euroopa mineviku keerukaid kihistusi ning nende mõju tänapäevale. Praegu viibib Kaarel Torontos, töötades uue raamatu kallal ning külastades ka kohalikke eesti kogukonna üritusi, kust mitmed teda ehk juba tunnevad. Värskes saates kuuleme tema retkedest maailma arhiividesse ja ajaloolase rollist ühiskonnas.
Tänases episoodis kuulete:
🔎 kuidas jõudis Kaarel Eesti lähiajaloo uurimiseni
📙 kas ja kuidas on töö erinevates maailma arhiivides mõjutanud tema arusaama Eesti ajaloost
🌎 milline on olnud väliseestlaste roll Eesti lähiajaloos
📝 millised teemad Eesti lähiajaloos vajavad uurimist
📖 kuidas paigutub Eesti lähiajalugu laiemasse Euroopa ja maailma ajaloo konteksti
Saates mainiti:- Kaarel Piirimäe, Yale: https://macmillan.yale.edu/europe/baltic/person/kaarel-piirimae-0
- Briti Riiklik Arhiiv: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
- BATUN (Baltic Appeal to the United Nations): https://www.vdu.lt/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BATUN-poster.pdf
- Kaarel Piirimäe, “Ameerika sajand: USA ja Eesti suhete sada aastat.”: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/in00000086614
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Montréal-based artist and Antarctic enthusiast Valmar Kurol believes that artists and tourists play a major role in the protection of Antarctica, as discussed in the latest EstoCast episode.
Which is partly why the continent has been the focus of his music (in addition to research and painting). It’s a region with an Estonian connection, a great deal of wildlife, as well as an urgent need for environmental stewardship from the whole world.
In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:
🇦🇶 the vital role of the Antarctic Treaty and the modern challenges facing the Southern Ocean
🐧 how Valmar and his musical collaborator and friend Michael Stibor depict penguins’ movements and sounds—among other exciting and colourful facets of the continent—in unexpected stylistic ways
🚢 the legacy of Estonian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and the 200th anniversary of his expedition
🧊and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode:
-A listing of Valmar’s artistic works: https://www.antarcticart.net/
-The Antarctic Circle website Valmar built, an immense resource for Antarctic literature and film: http://www.antarctic-circle.org/valmar.htm
-A review of one of his album’s: https://eestielu.ca/a-passionate-affection/
-The website for the latest album On Track for Antarctica: https://ontrackforantarctica.com/
-Theme from Antarctica by Vangelis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX9XyddZTtA
-Valmar’s friend and musical collaborator Michael Stibor: https://www.instagram.com/michaelstibor/
- Estonian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen: https://eestielu.ca/estonians-in-the-arctic-and-antarctica/
-”Estonia and Antarctica,” Cambridge University Press: https://sci-hub.box/10.1017/s0032247411000234
-Juhan Smuul’s book about Antarctica, “Jäine raamat,” translated into English as “Antarctica Ahoy!”: https://www.abebooks.com/Antarctica-Ahoy-Ice-Book-SMUUL-Juhan/22610172754/bd
-The song “Dinosaur Extinction Blues”: https://open.spotify.com/track/5DBNfLciJTTTqgvJDW7QsO
-The Thwaites Glacier or “Doomsday Glacier”: https://www.wired.com/story/the-doomsday-glacier-is-getting-closer-and-closer-to-irreversible-collapse/
-An Eesti Elu article and photo gallery giving a glimpse of what a trip to Antarctica is like: https://eestielu.ca/saaremaa-and-antarctica-whats-the-connection/
- Listen to Valmar's music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6j376aXdCjeuw7zyut6Nbh
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
For members of our Toronto Estonian community, Anna Herran might already be a familiar face. She has helped out in the VEMU archives as well as volunteered at Estonian Music Week, various VEMU events, and Post-EstDocs just to name a few. But she is also a PhD Candidate in History at the University of Toronto, interested in the connections among history, memory, and statehood in 20th-century East Central Europe and the Baltic region. You’ll get to hear all about Anna’s love for languages (including Estonian), how she decided to study her current field and more in this episode.
Discover:
🖊️ How Anna’s love for languages, among them Estonian, began and just how many languages she knows
🖊️ How she explores the similarities and differences between Czech and Estonian culture as well as history through her research
🖊️ How she found the Estonian community in Toronto and got involved
🖊️ What she loves about Estonia, it’s language, and culture
Things mentioned in this episode include:
- VEMU Language Café: https://www.vemu.ca/event/vemu-keelekohvik-estonian-language-cafe-42/
- “Lidé jako my,” Anna Sedláčková (Anthology of Latvian literature): https://karolinum.cz/en/books/sedlackova-lide-jako-my-30443
- “Baltic Souls: Remarkable Life Stories from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania,” Jan Brokken: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/baltic-souls-remarkable-life-stories-from-estonia-latvia-and-lithuania/9781957363943.html
- “Leiutajateküla Lotte” movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0447249/
- “Elu ilmaveerel,” Lenna Kuurmaa, Maarja Savi: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61110316-elu-ilmaveerel
- “The Dedalus Book of Estonian Literature,” Jan Kaus: https://www.dedalusbooks.com/our-books/book.php?id=00000214
- “Miniatuurid mälupõhjast,” Aino Pervik: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/ajalooline-romaan/miniatuurid-malupohjast/1445057
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
In the newest episode of EstoCast, we’re steering away from the usual format to share a literary discussion. The text in question is Sofi Oksanen’s book Same River, Twice: Putin’s War on Women – A Feminist Investigation of Sexual Violence, Genocide, and Threats to Democracy
Helping us understand this topic better are two guests: Professor Kate Holland and Dr. Kadri Tüür, both of whom teach at the University of Toronto.
During the course of the episode, we hear about:
🖊️how gender equality is a necessary component of democracy
🖊️the decriminalization of domestic violence in Russia and the Istanbul Convention
🖊️the historic “amnesia points” that enabled the war in Ukraine to happen
🖊️and much more
Things mentioned in this episode include:
-Sofi Oksanen: https://sofioksanen.com/
-Sofi Oksanen’s book “Same River, Twice”: https://www.amazon.ca/Same-River-Twice-Putins-Women/dp/0063435446
-about the Bucha massacre: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/marking-third-anniversary-liberation-bucha-ukraine_en
-the decriminalization of domestic violence in Russia: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/07/putin-approves-change-to-law-decriminalising-domestic-violence
-“Purge” by Sofi Oksanen: https://www.amazon.ca/Purge-Sofi-Oksanen/dp/0802170773
-Interlitteraria’s latest issue, which is dedicated to trauma and healing. Sofi Oksanen is mentioned in the editor's preface: https://ojs.utlib.ee/index.php/IL/
-“Trauma and Life-Writing” by Leena Kurvet-Käosaar: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781351025225-28/trauma-life-writing-leena-kurvet-käosaar
- “‘Other things happened to women': World war two, violence, and national identity…”, an article by Leena Kurvet-Käosaar: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01629770300000111
-Ukrainian author Oksana Zabuzhko: http://zabuzhko.com/en/biography/index.html
-the Istanbul Convention: https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention/about-the-convention
-about the debate regarding the Istanbul Convention in the Estonian Parliament: https://www.riigikogu.ee/en/sitting-reviews/the-riigikogu-did-not-support-the-vote-of-no-confidence-in-minister-of-regional-affairs-hendrik-johannes-terras/
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Marju Kõivupuu on Võrumaalt pärit eesti folklorist, kultuuriloolane, kirjanik ja õppejõud, kes lisaks akadeemilisele uurimistööle on aktiivselt panustanud meie pärandkultuuri populariseerimisse ja löönud kaasa kultuuriteemalistes diskussioonides. Vestleme sellesest, mis Marjut kirjanduse ja üldse kultuuri juures kõige rohkem intrigeerib, kuidas temast juba varakult raamatukoi sai ja veel paljust põnevast.
Saatest kuulete:
📜 19. sajandi teise poole ja tänapäeva kultuurilistest erinevustest läbi “Tõe ja õiguse” uue kommenteeritud väljaande
📜 huvitavatest juhtumistest ja tähelepanekutest, mida Marju on kogenud ülikoolis õpetades
📜 millist rolli mängib kohustuslik kirjandus tänapäeva koolis ja vajadusest arvata tüvitekstide hulka kaasaegseid teoseid
Saates mainiti:- A.H. Tammsaare “Tõde ja õigus I. Kommenteeritud väljaanne.”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/klassika-ja-eeposed/tode-ja-oigus-i-kommenteeritud-valjaanne/2295774
- Kirjanik ja poliitik Jaan Lattik: https://www.karula.edu.ee/jaan-lattik/
- Albert Kivikas, “Nimed marmortahvlil”: https://kirjanduslikpaevaraamat.blogspot.com/2015/06/albert-kivikas-nimed-marmortahvlil-1936.html
- Raimond Kolk: https://wi.ee/voro/kiranigu/raimond-kolk/
- Friedebert Tuglas, “Väike Illimar”: https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A4ike_Illimar
- Mats Traat, “Kogutud Harala elulood”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/luule/kogutud-harala-elulood/1601058
- Karl Martin Sinijärv, Urve Sinijärv, “Hortus poeticus”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/hortus-poeticus.html
- Tõnu Õnnepalu, “Õhtupäike väikestel majadel”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/kaasaegne-ilukirjandus/ohtupaike-vaikestel-majadel/2002370
- Mihkel Mutt, “Tartu tuld toomas”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/tartu-tuld-toomas.html
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Dance is something that should be a part of everyone’s lives, as discussed with the latest EstoCast guest, Montréal-based dancer Peter Trosztmer.
Dance is his profession and craft, but it has also been a means to connect with others, to heal trauma, and to be connected with the physical world. And it can do that for anyone.
In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:
🚶🏻♂️the stories of his relatives from Saaremaa that have shaped his dancing most of all
💻his experiments with augmented and virtual reality and what they showed him
🎭the myriad of dance companies and creative forces operating in Montréal
🇪🇪and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode:
-Peter Trosztmer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.trosztmer
-Eesti: Myths and Machines: https://tangentedanse.ca/en/event/eesti-myths-and-machines/
-More info (in Estonian) about the society of Estonians from the island of Saaremaa in Toronto: https://eestielu.ca/saarlaste-uehing-torontos/
-Montreal Estonian Society: https://mtlmes.ca/
-Toronto Dance Theatre: https://tdt.org
-Espace Libre, Montréal: https://espacelibre.qc.ca/?srsltid=AfmBOorriBNRNVYLj7krU-NpaaGUxmXhmQgwIdHN7VKDm8BLS4fe_APU
-Un-nevering by Thea Patterson: https://fta.ca/en/programme/un-nevering
-Jean-Pierre Perreault: https://espaceperreault.ca/en/jean-pierre-perreault/
-La La La Human Steps: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/la-la-la-human-steps-dance-closing-1.3212747
-Compagnie Marie Chouinard: https://www.mariechouinard.com/english/
-Ballets Jazz Montréal: https://www.bjmdanse.ca
-Compagnie Virginie Brunelle https://www.facebook.com/VirginieBrunelle
-Fables: https://virginiebrunelle.com/oeuvres/fables/
-Les Soeurs Schmutt (in French): https://www.larotonde.qc.ca/repertoire/compagnie-les-soeurs-schmutt/
-Tectonic Dreams: https://www.repaire.art/activite/les-soeurs-schmutt-et-annedda-residence-de-creation-production-en-pratiques-artistiques-non-disciplinaires-2024-2025/
-Robin Pineda: https://www.supermusique.qc.ca/en/artistes/gould_ro
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Haldi Välimäe on eesti muusik ja laulukirjutaja, kes on juba noorest peale olnud muusikaga seotud ning sellest ümbritsetud. Ta mitte ei saanud muusikuks, vaid sündis selleks. Haldi tunneb huvi ka väliseesti muusika ning kultuuripärandi vastu ja on seda uurinud. Muusika on tema jaoks palju enamat kui lihtsalt helid, kuuleme Haldi reisist ja esinemistest lähitulevikus Kanadas, Eesti Abistamiskomitee 75. aastapäeva pidustusel. Aga saame ka teada, mida võib muusika öelda inimese kohta.
Saate teada:
🎶 milline on Haldi loominguline protsess
🎶 millised esinejad ja muusikažanrid on teda kõige rohkem mõjutanud ning kellega ta sooviks tulevikus koostööd teha
🎶 mida Haldi arvab tehisaru rollist muusikas
🎶 milline repertuaar tuleb märtsis Torontos esitamisele
Saates mainiti:
- Eesti Abistamiskomitee Kanadas (EAK) 75. aastapäevast: https://eestielu.ca/et/lets-celebrate-erc-75/
- EAK 75 piletid: https://estonianrelief.org/buy-lets-celebrate-tickets-here/
- Estonian Funk Embassy plaadifirma: https://funkembassy.eu/
- Haldi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haldi.muusika/?hl=en
- Haldi 2017 plaat “Raba”: https://www.discogs.com/release/13644163-Haldi-Raba?srsltid=AfmBOopJ5-YVtCI8sqyuscDcfJS1N36tLeYCt3q1Bj9zfbv8IgQnSrjj
- Vaiko Epliku plaadikogumik “Esto-Muusika: Ulgu-Eesti Leviplaadid 1958-1988”: https://www.discogs.com/release/7148956-Various-Esto-Muusika-Ulgu-Eesti-Leviplaadid-1958-1988?srsltid=AfmBOoolHrmMKZh_LJ0OS_fYTXlnE6OHMsmHZ7IjLgkqnUHoAo-_kWID
- Estonian Funk Embassy Marju Kuudi kogumik “Üksi, kuid vabana”: https://funkembassy.eu/product/marju-kuut-uksi-kuid-vabana-lp/
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
In her research, Dr. Kaia Tombak has challenged long-held assumptions in evolutionary biology, such as the idea that male mammals are always larger than females.
As she describes it, there is a significant proportion of animal species in which males and females are typically the same size, or where females are larger. And this is just one of the discoveries she has made as a biologist, through work in the field and at universities, across Africa and North America.
In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:
🦓the technology Kaia has used to photograph and analyze the movements of zebras
🐒the egalitarian societies of red colobus monkeys in Uganda
🌅humans as an integrated part of the animal kingdom
🦈and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode:
-Dr. Kaia Tombak’s website: https://www.kaiatombak.com/
-Kaia’s work in the Kenyan savannah: https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-reexamine-why-zebra-stripes-mysteriously-repel-flies
-a video about Kaia’s study of sharks in South Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjoP32oIUm0
-Eesti Elu’s interview with Kaia’s parents about their work around the world: https://eestielu.ca/nadala-portree-leena-tiismann-ja-mihkel-tombak-edukad-karjaarid-mitmes-riigis-pereelu-ning-uhendav-eestlus/
-zoonotic diseases: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/zoonotic-diseases
-how wildlife filmmakers use camera traps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etC6rD5Emkc
-zebra stripe recognition technology: https://www.audubon.org/news/new-technology-identifies-zebras-their-stripes
-sexual size dimorphism as investigated by Dr. Tombak: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45739-5
-Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda: https://www.rwenzorimountainsnationalpark.com/
-Rayleigh scattering, which affects the colour we perceive when looking at the sky: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/maps-tools-publications/satellite-elevation-air-photos/interactions-atmosphere
-loons in Ontario and the issues affecting them: https://www.thelandbetween.ca/2021/01/are-we-losing-the-loons/
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Lea Kreinini nimi on paljudele Toronto eestlasele tuttav, kuna ta on mõnda aega siin meie seas elanud ja saadab nüüd Eestist kaastöid ajalehele Eesti Elu. Lea on pidanud huvitavaid ameteid - ta on õpetanud eesti keelt võõrkeelena, tegutsenud giidi, tõlkija ja kirjanikuna. Ta on elanud ka Ungaris ja Šotimaal, lüües kõikjal kaasa eesti kultuurielus ja hariduslikes ettevõtmistes. Meie värskes saates kuuletegi Lea seikluslikust elukäigust ja arvukatest tegemistest, aga jätkuva raamatuaasta puhul räägime ka lugemisest, kirjutamisest ja kirjandusest üldse.
Saates kuulete:
📕 kuidas Least sai esmalt suur raamatusõber ja viimaks ka kirjanik
📗 milliseid kogemusi on pakkunud elu võõrsil
📘 kuidas keelteoskus avardab lugeja maailmapilti ja lugemine toetab keeleoskuse omandamist
📙 kui lihtne või raske on kirjutada raamatut omaenda elust
Saates mainiti:
- Lea Kreinin, “Minu Ungari”: https://petroneprint.ee/raamatud/minu-ungari-2/
- Lea Kreinin, “Kõik algab kassist”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/koik-algab-kassist-lihtne-lugemine-alates-a2-tasemest.html
- Magda Szabó: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5168929.Magda_Szab_
- Lilli Luuk: https://headread.ee/en/guest/lilli-luuk-2/
- Sven Mikser, “Vareda”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200725595-vareda
- Krisztina Toth “Piksel”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/kaasaegne-ilukirjandus/e-raamat-piksel/1848691
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Though places and opportunities to play their music are somewhat limited in Uppsala, Sweden, heavy folk band Fränder—including their Estonian flautist, bagpipe player, and singer Säde Tatar—have taken it upon themselves to make their own events happen, and that includes the Nordic Now! festival in New York City. Soon, owing to the impact they’ve made, they’ll be working together with the renowned Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
They’ll also be playing two dates in Ontario, Canada this coming January, before which you can listen to EstoCast and hear from Säde about:
🇪🇪 how she ended up moving to Sweden and working as a musician there
🇸🇪 a Swedish legend about a forest being that the band teaches audiences about
🪈 the many cultural crossovers around the Baltic Sea
🎻 and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode include:
-Flautist, bagpipe player, and vocalist Säde Tatar: https://www.instagram.com/sadetatarmusic/?hl=en
-Fränder: https://www.frander.se/
-A recap of Fränder’s 2018 show at Hugh’s Room Live: https://eestielu.ca/estonian-culture-links-fraender-and-ariko-at-hugh-s-room-live-november-6th-2018/
-the band’s tour dates, including a show on Saturday January 17th, 2026 at Revival in Toronto: https://www.frander.se/live/
-Ariko, the Franco-Ontarian family band: https://www.youtube.com/c/ArikoMusique
-Mariposa Folk Festival: https://mariposafolk.com/
-Sutari trio: https://www.sutari.pl/bio-eng
-Polska music and dance: https://levandekulturarv.se/in-english/the-inventory/submissions/polska---music-and-dance
-Mazurek, a Polish music form and dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2vfnA_1pjk
-Sutartinės, Lithuanian multipart songs: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sutartins-lithuanian-multipart-songs-00433
-More about the Skogsrå in Swedish folklore: https://rebeckaelin.com/home/2018/10/29/sjr-spirit-guardian-of-the-lake
-the history of the säckpipa (Swedish bagpipes): http://olle.gallmo.se/sackpipa/
-More about the torupill (the Estonian bagpipe): https://www.bagpipesociety.org.uk/articles/2015/chanter/summer/the-estonian-bagpipe-torupill/
-Swedish multi-instrumentalist and composer Ale Möller: https://www.alemoller.com/
-Fränder on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frandermusic/?hl=en
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Igal inimesel on oma lugu. Toronto eestlase Anneli Andre Barretti elutee on olnud eriti põnev. Pärast töötamist inglise keele õpetajana Kanadas on ta reisinud erinevatesse riikidesse Project TEMBO vahendusel, et õpetada seda keelt Aafrikas jm eksootilistes paikades. Inglise keelt on ta õpetanud ka PEN Canada vabatahtlikuna - pagulaskirjanikele. Kust sai aga alguse Anneli armastus kirjanduse vastu, mil viisil tulid tema ellu õppeseiklused ja veel paljust muust saad teada tänasest episoodist.
Käesolevas saates kuulete:
📜 kust tuli VEMU raamatuklubi idee ja mida selle vedamine on Annelile pakkunud
📜 kust on pärit Anneli austus ja armastus kirjanduse vastu
📜 kuidas tegutsemine PEN klubis on süvendanud armastust kirjanduse vastu
📜 miks on oluline arendada lastes lugemisharjumust
Saates mainiti:
- PEN Canada: https://pencanada.ca/
- Project TEMBO: https://www.projectembo.org/
- VEMU raamatuklubi: https://www.vemu.ca/et/event/28-veebruar-2018-vemu-eestikeelse-raamatuklubi-teine-kohtumine/- Margaret Atwood, “The Handmaid’s Tale”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34454589-the-handmaid-s-tale
- F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/The-Great-Gatsby/F-Scott-Fitzgerald/9781982146702
- PEN Canada, “The Uncaged Voice: Stories by Writers in Exile”: https://pencanada.ca/readers-writers/anthologies-books/
- Global Crossroad: https://www.globalcrossroad.com/
- George Eliot, “Middlemarch”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19089.Middlemarch
- Urmas Vadi, “Kuu teine pool”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200433154-kuu-teine-pool
- Abraham Verghese, “Cutting for Stone”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3591262-cutting-for-stone
- Mart Sander, “Litsid”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/litsid.html
- Andrei Hvostov, “Sillamäe passioon”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12279440-sillam-e-passioon
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Speaking with educator and singer-songwriter Tiiu Strutt, we find that every animal track, every song, every puppet show, and every conversation is a learning opportunity.
And moreover, an avenue to instilling a sense of wonder in learners of all ages.
In the newest episode of EstoCast, hear about:
🐾why the land is so important in her educational work
🐾striving for equality and respect in nature
🐾how she returned from a musical hiatus and discovered Estonian folk music archives and re-connected with her Estonian roots
🐾and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode include:
-Land Heart Song, Tiiu’s music and education project: https://landheartsong.com/
-outdoor educator and children’s musician Pete Moss: https://www.petemossmusic.com/
-musician and author Ginalina: https://www.ginalinamusic.com/
-Kidzac @ the TRANZAC: https://folkmusicontario.org/blogs/fmo-news-fb40f6b8-b45c-4149-a3f2-f848dc0688bb/posts/7487859/kidzac-the-tranzac
-“Lase kiike käia” (“Let the Cradle Rock”): the Estonian lullaby that Tiiu and Ginalina performed: https://www.folklore.ee/pubte/eraamat/rahvamuusika/en/029-Lase-kiik-kaia
-Remembered and Remixed by Ginalina, featuring friends from the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble: https://www.rememberedandremixed.com
-poet, essayist, and singer Kaja Weeks: https://lyricovertones.com/
-Lauliku lapsepõli (The Songster’s Childhood): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUOpSU7j8mg
-Mari Kalkun’s 2023 album Stories of Stonia: https://open.spotify.com/album/66OZWhSFU4XUsggIFhmT0T
-Land Heart Song’s blog post: “Race and the Environment”: https://landheartsong.com/2020/08/24/race-the-environment/
-Land Heart Song’s blog post “You Belong Here- The Making of the Song”: https://landheartsong.com/2025/08/14/you-belong-here-the-making-of-the-song/
-Child & Nature Alliance of Canada: https://childnature.ca
-Land Heart Song’s events: https://landheartsong.com/events/
-folk duo Hypnosis Negative: https://hypnosisnegative.com
-folk quartet Curly Strings: https://www.curlystrings.ee
-Tiiu’s 2023 album Songs for Tree: https://open.spotify.com/album/0Yp466ecJtu2ZJeUnsQhSh
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Eesti keel on eestlaste meelest teadagi kõige ilusam keel maailmas, aga seda peetakse ka üheks raskemini õpitavaks keeleks. See ei takistanud Ameerikast Minnesotast pärit tõlkijal, kirjanikul ja muusikul Adam Cullenil, kelle soontes ei voola tilkagi eesti verd, seda keelt laitmatult ära õppimast ja eesti kultuuriruumi sulandumast. Kuulake ja saate teada, millega meie maa ja keel Adami ära võlusid, kes on tema lemmikkirjanikud Eestis ja mujal, miks ta elab Haapsalus ja veel palju muud.
Tänases saates kuulete:
✍🏻 kuidas Adam sattus Eestisse, kus ta on tänaseks peaaegu 20 aasta elanud
✍🏻 mis nippe ta kasutas eesti keele selgeks õppimiseks
✍🏻 kuidas sai Adamist üks tunnustatumaid eesti kirjanduse tõlkijaid ja miks see töö talle meeldib
✍🏻 miks ta luuletab eesti keeles
✍🏻 mis muljed jäid Adamil Toronto eesti kogukonnast, mida ta tänavu septembris külastas
Saates mainiti:
- Lennart Meri “Silverwhite,” tõlkinud Adam Cullen: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/silverwhite/
- J.R.R. Tolkien “Sõrmuste isand”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/fantaasia/sormuste-isand/1781320
- C.S. Lewis, “Narnia kroonikad”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/en/books/fiction/young-adult/narnia-kroonikad/622699
- Bill Watterson, “Calvin and Hobbes” koomiksiseeria: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77727.Calvin_and_Hobbes
- Harper Lee, “Tappa laulurästast” tõlkinud Valda Raud: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7791783-tappa-laulur-stast
- Barry Lopez “Giving Birth to Thunder, Sleeping with His Daughter: Coyote Builds North America”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/264402.Giving_Birth_to_Thunder_Sleeping_with_His_Daughter
- Eduard Vilde, “Mäeküla piimamees”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/ajalooline-romaan/maekula-piimamees/839917
- Andrus Kivirähk, “Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/ilukirjandus/kaasaegne-ilukirjandus/mees-kes-teadis-ussisonu/17033
- Peeter Sauter, “Don’t Leave Me Alone” tõlkinud Adam Cullen: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/dont-leave-me-alone-a-love-story/9781954306035.html
- Triinu Laan, “John the Skeleton” tõlkinud Adam Cullen: https://sonderbooks.com/blog/?p=45408
- Adami raamatupood/kohvik Haapsalus “Pagu”: https://eestielu.ca/haapsallu-pakku-kulaskaik-adam-culleni-raamatupoodi-pagu-galerii/
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Eestlus (Estonianness) is a state of being, identity, and feeling that has a multiplicity of variations. This time on EstoCast, we’re fortunate to hear about it from an Estonian-Australian point-of-view.
Coming from Sydney, Australia, Lachlan Bell is an artist and designer, a researcher in the field of folkloristics and heritage, and a community leader. This past summer, he was in Ontario, Canada getting to know the present-day and historic activities of Estonian summer camps. And what he’s seen in Canada has instigated an insightful conversation about life in Australia, a place with uncanny similarities to Canada, as he puts it.
In this episode of EstoCast, Lachlan talks about:
☀️what he hopes to bring home from his time at three Estonian summer camp locations in Canada
⏱️the presence of Estonians in Australia going back as far as the 1920s
🌱revitalizing the Estonian niche wall section in the southern hemisphere’s largest cemetery
🇪🇪and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode:
-Lachlan Bell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loch.man/?hl=en
-The Folkloristics and Applied Heritage Studies program at the University of Tartu: https://ut.ee/en/curriculum/folkloristics-and-applied-heritage-studies
-Jõekääru Estonian Children's Camp: https://joekaaru.com/en/summer-camp
-Seedrioru Estonian Children's Summer Camp: https://seedrioru.com/web2/about-us/
-Kotkajärve Camp: https://globalestonian.com/en/kotkajärve-camp
-Sõrve Estonian Children's Summer Camp: http://www.sorve.org.au
-Sydney Eesti Maja: https://sydneyeestiselts.org.au
-EstWest: https://eesti.org.au/organisations/estwest/
-Estonians in Adelaide: https://adelaide.eesti.org.au
-Estonians in Brisbane: https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneEestiSelts/
-the Estonian House in Melbourne: https://globalestonian.com/en/estonian-house-melbourne
-History of the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia: https://ecfa.eesti.org.au/about/history/
-about the Estonian community in Thirlmere: https://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/fromestonia/journeys-1st.html
-Rookwood Necropolis: https://rookwoodnecropolistrust.com.au
-Embroidery from Muhu: https://threadwritten.com/journal/2021/1/5/estonian-muhu
-Lachlan’s past exhibitions: https://lcbell.cargo.site/
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Torontost pärit eestlane Riina Kindlam on nüüdseks juba üle paarikümne aasta elanud Eestis. Tema nime näeb tihti Eesti Elu veergudel ning ka teistes väljaannetes. Aga kuidas ta jõudis kirjutamise ja luuletamiseni? Kuidas on kulgenud Eesti kultuuri ja keelde sukeldumine seal elades? Mis tõmbab teda kirjanduse, eriti selle lühivormide poole? Kuulake ja saate teada!
Tänases saates kuulete:
📕 Millised on Kanada ja Eesti kultuuri- ja kirjandusmaailmade erinevused
📗 Mis inspireeris Riinat juba nooruses luuletamisega tegelema
📘 Kuidas on Eestisse kolimine ja seal elamine mõjutanud Riina lugemisharjumusi
📙 Kuidas ja mida võiksime lugeda, olgu nooremas või küspemas eas
Saates mainiti:
- Riina Kindlam, “Metsavaht”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/metsavaht.html
- Helga Nõu, “Oi oi oi - mis juhtus?”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/lasteraamatud/koolieelikutele-vanus-4-6/oi-oi-oi-mis-juhtus/1685615
- Ellen Niit, “Triinu ja Taavi lood”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/en/books/childrens-books/ages-4-to-6/triinu-ja-taavi-lood/997934
- Marguerite Henry, “Misty of Chincoteague”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17461.Misty_of_Chincoteague
-Harper Lee, “Tappa laulurästast” (tõlkinud Valda Raud): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7791783-tappa-laulur-stast
- J.D. Salinger, “Kuristik rukkis” (tõlkinud Valda Raud): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33959636-kuristik-rukkis
- Olga Tokarczuk, “Aja oma atra läbi koolnute kontide”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50888639-aja-oma-atra-l-bi-koolnute-kontide
- Mathura (Margus Lattik), “Jääminek”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33303703-j-minek
- Tove Jansson, “Suveraamat” (tõlkinud Maarja Aaloe-Laur): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17878239
- Brigitta Davidjants, “Loomingu raamatukogu”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/loomingu-raamatukogu-10-11-2025-brigitta-davidjants-plahvatus-natsuputkas-ja-teisi-jutte-1.html
- Olavi Ruitlane, “Vee peal”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25855099-vee-peal
- Dominique Fortier “Paberlinnad” (tõlkinud Laura Christine Arba): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199179308
- Tõnu Õnnepalu, “Aaker”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/aaker.html
- Eerik Purje, “Vakamaast aakriteni”: https://www.apollo.ee/et/vakamaast-aakriteni.html
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Erik Kreem and his music have been featured previously in the “Memories of Home” online concert series presented by VEMU and its project Estonian Music Week. And also in the pages of Eesti Elu / Estonian Life newspaper. But never on an episode of EstoCast.
There’s a good deal to catch up on, and Erik has a bundle of stories and thought-provoking musical commentary to kick off this new season of our podcast.
In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:
🎼 the beauty and ease of the piano to channel ideas from the mind into compositions
🎼 J.S. Bach’s musical challenge from King Frederick II of Prussia
🎼 his playing on a 1,077 pipe organ for a recent folk rock song
🎼 and much more!
Things mentioned in this episode include:
-Erik’s “Memories of Home” concert video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q6rHaU2LV0
-Follow Erik Kreem on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikkreemmusic/
-Bach's Mass in B minor (BWV 232): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FLbiDrn8IE
- “Laulja” by Veljo Tormis: https://www.google.com/search?q=laulja+veljo+tormis+2025#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:d8223314,vid:a1SfeU8y8aQ,st:0
- “Give Me Love” by Renan Deodato, which Erik played organ on: https://open.spotify.com/track/2GCe7wqZU2FpIDujKGjgVX?si=A_OK5jCrQB-vXCdhJYgPbw&nd=1&dlsi=d945453b5b644f71
-Erik demonstrates the organ of St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Toronto: https://eestielu.ca/watch-this-estonian-canadian-shows-us-the-physics-of-a-massive-pipe-organ/
-Bach’s “Crab Canon” on a Möbius Strip, part of “Das Musikalische Opfer” (“The Musical Offering”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUHQ2ybTejU&t=75s
-Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24113.G_del_Escher_Bach
-Images and videos of Erik Kreem’s “Päike, Kuu” being performed in 2023: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn0xNptsck2/?hl=en&img_index=1
-More about Erik Kreem’s work with the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra: https://ksorchestra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Kreem_Waltz.pdf
-Chopin’s Ballade No. 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F5glYefwio&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca -
Tere tulemast EstoCasti värske, 4. hooaja esimesse saatesse! Kuna käimas on raamatuaasta, räägime antropoloogi ja raamatusõbra Anna-Kristiina Paega raamatute lugemisest, aga ka kirjutamisest. Anna-Kristiina oli augustikuus külas VEMU arhiivis Torontos, kus ta tegi magistriõppe praktikat, kogudes materjali oma uurimistöö jaoks. Saates kuulete, millistesse riikidesse on Anna-Kristiina elutee teda viinud, mis teda võlub raamatute juures ja miks on tore olla raamatukoi. Head kuulamist!
Tänases saates kuulete:
📕 kuidas raamatukoguhoidja tütrest sai kirglik lugeja, aga ka luuletaja
📗 kas antropoloogia-õpingutel on pistmist kirjandusega
📘 kuidas elamine erinevates kultuurides ja lugemine mitmes keeles avardab vaadet nii kirjandusele kui maailmale
📙 millised on Anna-Kristiina meeldejäävaimad lugemiselamused läbi aegade
Saates mainiti:- “Karlsson katuselt,” Astrid Lindgren: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/lasteraamatud/nooremale-koolieale-vanus-7-9/karlsson-katuselt/22622
- “Sipsik,” Eno Raud: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/lasteraamatud/nooremale-koolieale-vanus-7-9/sipsik/27130
- “Viplala lood,” Annie M.G. Schmidt: https://rahvaraamat.ee/et/raamatud/lasteraamatud/nooremale-koolieale-vanus-7-9/viplala-lood/1993230
- “Bullerby lapsed,” Astrid Lindgren: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32805115-bullerby-lapsed
- “East of Eden,” John Steinbeck: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4406.East_of_Eden
- “The Death of Tony: On Belonging in Two Worlds,” Antanas Sileika: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-death-of-tony-on-belonging-in-two-worlds/9781738993345.html
- “Tantsi tolm põrandast,” Kairi Look: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223872935-tantsi-tolm-p-randast
- Jack London, kirjanik: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-London
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events
➡️ @vemu.emc
https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca - Show more
