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Sõnad: Esto Words

@estowords

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Two Estonian-Canadian sisters on a mission to celebrate our heritage + share the beauty of Estonian culture! Bilingual picture books and journals 🇪🇪📖

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Rain won’t stop us. We are proud Estonians over here. Kaili has 4 kids 10 and under and Kaarin has her son who is 3. Kids are damp, muddy, tired… but they’re learning about their heritage and feeling the beauty of thousands of singers here. We’re waving our flags proudly! 🇪🇪

Kaili & Kaarin @estowords

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#Laulupidu2025
#EstonianSongFestival
#Laulupidu
#Estonia
#EestiLaulupidu
#EstonianCulture
#SingingRevolution
#EstonianDiaspora
#MinuEesti
#EstonianHeritage
#Eestlased
#EstonianRoots
#EstoWords
#Estonia2025
#CulturalPride taken in Tallinna Lauluväljak by @estowords

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9

a year ago

This morning I saw some women join my daughter and I on the subway and I said “tere hommikust!” to complete strangers… they actually live in Brussels (I knew they were Estos)

The other night after picking my daughter up from folk dance practice, a young man who had just flown in started asking me questions in Estonian outside on Madison Ave. He just assumed I was Esto 💙

Hundreds flew in from around the world for #KESKFEST to celebrate @keskus.iec opening soon.

This is only a tiny snapshot of our festival. I had the privilege to create so many events from the ground up and help collaborate with @ellen.valter on her massive vision.

I got to design a lot of our materials, including our programme, guides and social. Late nights and brainstorming with the incredible @marikaarid.

I poured my heart into our luncheon series and we had such insightful conversations with: @spaikin @kristina.kallas @kongatsarchitects @canadianarchitect @tonisarjus @annikalautens @reet_aus_phd @reetaus
@estoniandesignhouse @ilonagurjanova @fashionarttoronto @sarahjaystyle

We had a perfect North American film premiere, tons of sold out performances, including an epic show with @argpart. My daughters went to the choral performance with some of the famous choirs and conductors like @tallinnakammerkoor @estoniapoistekoor @magiensemble

Tonight’s “valguspidu” included so many dance groups, gymnasts and choirs. Here are some: @malmoflickorna @torontokungla @glimmerathletic @kalevestiennerg @ritmikargc

I’ll need to spotlight more later because there are just too many highlights. Even just the emotions of seeing my daughter perform, and the community she is building 🇪🇪🥹

Nii uhke on olla eestlane. Kuigi meid on vaid 1,3 miljonit, on meie kultuur, kunst ja innovatsioon võimsad – ja KESKfEST tõestas seda taas. We must remain connected to global Estonians, keep ties strong and make sure we continue to showcase what our culture is all about.

My kids and I have been rewatching all our global youth delegate reels on KESKUS socials. They have also been so helpful!

- Kaili @estowords

#estoniandiaspora #estoniansabroad #globalestonian #keskus taken in Madison Avenue, Toronto by @estowords

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2 months ago

Book the trip. Bring all the kids. Don’t worry about their ages or the chaos. ✈️

To our kids, Estonia felt like a land of fairies and elves, folk songs, magic forests, delicious food, and the kindest people — both relatives and strangers.

What a dream (and deep privilege) to share this with them. To walk the same soil our ancestors once did, and help them feel where they come from — even though, like us and our parents, they were born in Canada.

Long live a free Estonia. Elagu Eesti! 🇪🇪 🥹

From sisters, Kaili and Kaarin @estowords.

Trip recap is also in Eesti Elu (Estonian Life) “Sustaining Our Sõnad—Suvi in Estonia: An Estonian-Canadian Family’s. Journey Through Festival Magic, Going Viral, and Salted Cucumbers.”

💙🖤🤍

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#Laulupidu2025
#EstonianSongFestival
#Laulupidu
#Estonia
#EstonianCulture
#estoniansabroad
#EstonianDiaspora
#EstonianHeritage
#EstonianRoots
#VisitEstonia
#DiscoverEstonia
#ExploreEstonia
#TravelEstonia
#FamilyTravel
#HeritageTrip
#EstoWords taken in Estonia by @estowords

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2

a year ago

It’s 2026 and your daughter is having the best time at folk dance camp with women of all ages.

Her great grandparents had to flee Estonia and here she is in Canada so in touch with her roots 💙🖤🤍

They learned the dances over the weekend and performed on a beautiful sunny Sunday. You can join as a beginner.

This is Nou Pois Äläud 💃and this is one way we keep our culture alive in the diaspora.

It’s presented by Estonian Arts Centre (charity associated with @keskus.iec. Support from @estonianfoundationofcanada ✨

— Kaili @estowords

#globalestonian #estoniansabroad #igaviieseestlaneelabvälismaal #rahvatants by @estowords

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18 days ago

Upcycling jean-ius in action! 👖✂️

Spent the morning with my daughter and her dad’s cousin transforming old denim into chic kandekotid (tote bags) alongside sustainable design icons @reetaus / @reet_aus_phd and @evakarlottat at KESKfEST.

Hands-on learning, zero waste, and top-tier family bonding.

We couldn’t be more in love with @estoniandesignhouse recent UPMADE IN. EE Canadian premiere — so much circular design inspo & style was shared across Toronto.

let’s make upcycling workshops a permanent fixture at @keskus.iec ! 🪡💙

💙🖤🤍 Kaili @estowords

#Upcycling #CircularFashion #globalestonian #SustainableFashion #KESKfEST taken in K E S K U S International Estonian Centre by @estowords

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0

a month ago

When you walk into a building for the first time. But it’s really seeing your global home in its final stretch of completion. 🥹

And truly it’s the future home of your children and their children. Because yes, we were born in Canada but they will always identify as proud Estonians too.

There were gasps because of the architectural beauty (courtyard is shaped like Estonia)

And, there were tears.

These hallways are where a new generation will learn our culture, bond, sing (of course!) and be connected to Estonia and a global diaspora in ways like never before 🇪🇪🌍

I’ve been proudly working on #KESKFEST which is a celebration / festival of this anchor for our community.

Bring a friend. Everything is accessible in English.

If you’re in Toronto, see you Aug 20-23!

Some of this is from a donor preview night and thanks to @ruudiproductions for the clip of young people singing inside for the first time.

#estoniandiaspora #keskus #globalestonian #torontoevents taken in Madison Avenue, Toronto by @estowords

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2 months ago

Is it too soon for back-to-school talk? 😅 Probably. But it’s never too early for free books! 🇪🇪📚

Know a little one with an Estonian connection who would love to kick-start the school year with a bundle of bilingual books?

These could be theirs:
📚 R is for Raamat: My Estonian Alphabet Book – Everyday Estonian words from A to Ü
🔢 Monster Math: Õpi Eesti Numbreid – Numbers in Estonian (Kaarin’s son’s favourite!)
🏡 Kodutööd: Learn Estonian Words – Mythical creatures make chores extra fun
🖍️ Suvi: Estonian Summer Coloring Adventures – Colour while learning words like liblikas 🦋 and päike ☀️

Entering is super easy:
🇪🇪 Follow @estowords
😄 Comment something about Estonia that makes you smile
👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏽 Tag a sõber (friend)

Our first giveaway winner lives in Australia 🇦🇺 and we can’t wait to see where this prize bundle travels next! 🌍

Kaili & Kaarin @estowords

#GlobalEstonian #EstonianDiaspora #VisitEstonia #EstonianRoots #Väliseestlased by @estowords

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2 months ago

🇪🇪 Win our seasons picture book collection! 🇪🇪

You know what we love about Estonian? Combine two words and get literal magic.

☀️ Päikesejänku (Sun bunny) — That dancing patch of sunlight on the floor.

🐞 Lepatriinu (Alder tree + Triinu) — The playful folk name for a ladybug.

❤️ Südamesõber (Heart friend) — Someone who’s more than a best friend; a true soulmate.

🍀 Õnnelaps (Luck child) — Someone who just naturally seems to have all the luck.

🧸 Kaisukaru (Cuddle bear) — The perfect word for a teddy bear.

🌬️ Tuulelaul (Wind song) — The sound of the breeze.

🐢 Kilpkonn (Shield frog) — Turtle or tortoise.

Which is YOUR favourite?

For a chance to win our Suvi: Estonian Summer book + other 3 seasons:

✨ Follow @estowords
💬 Comment your favourite compound word from above
👯 Tag a sõber (friend)

We’re running a few giveaways this summer, and this is your chance to snag a full collection. Don’t miss out! 📖

Kaili & Kaarin @estowords

#GlobalEstonian #EstonianDiaspora #VisitEstonia #EstonianRoots #Väliseestlased
Contest alert, summer reading, language magic by @estowords

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3 months ago

Anyone else visit Estonia and immediately start plotting your return?

We’re missing the Estonian summer so much that we want to bring a piece of it to you with a 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆! Follow this page for the easiest wins of all time this suvi. 📖✨

A look back at last summer’s highlights:

The 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘶𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘥 (salted cucumbers): Our whole family is officially obsessed.

The magic of the 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘰̈𝘰̈𝘥 (white nights): And that massive 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘶 family reunion with 200+ relatives in the countryside (huge thanks to @vahuragar for organizing!).

The memories on loop: Feeding bunnies on “bunny island,” dancing in castle ruins, and making bread over an open fire in the Viking village.

Beyond the incredible 𝘮𝘢̈𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘷𝘢̈𝘭𝘫𝘢𝘬𝘶𝘥 (playgrounds) and nature, it’s that deep sense of belonging to a culture so much bigger than ourselves.

We can’t wait to find our way back.

Dreaming of Eesti 💙🖤🤍

Sisters, Kaili & Kaarin @estowords
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#GlobalEstonian #EstonianDiaspora #VisitEstonia #EstonianRoots #Väliseestlased taken in Estonia by @estowords

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3

3 months ago

Just before we flew home from vacation, we found out our house was flooding from the second floor.

We landed… and didn’t go home.

The next day, I hosted an Estonian gala marking the 75th anniversary of the @erc_canada that helped Estonian refugees resettle in Canada.

I spoke about my grandmother, who inspired my diary‑like book 𝘌𝘩𝘢’𝘴 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘌𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦: 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 1944.

As a teenager, my grandmother/ vanaema — like all my grandparents — fled the only home she had ever known, crossing freezing, dangerous waters in the middle of the night. Alone.

Meanwhile, my family and I were staying near the airport, figuring out where we’d sleep next.

And honestly, I wasn’t that fazed by the fact we’d be out of our house for months.

All I felt was perspective.

The kind that comes from my family’s history; the shared history of the countless Estonians who have risked or lost their lives.

My kids are safe. We’re together. Our home will be repaired.

My grandmother never returned to hers.

I think about our history a lot. About Ukraine (our kids’ heritage as well)

Life is a lottery — where you’re born, and how quickly you can recover when something goes wrong.

I carry that with me. And I don’t take our privilege lightly.

And as always I continue to be in awe of what Estonians have gone through and how they have persevered. 🇪🇪

💙🖤🤍
Kaili @estowords

#estoniansabroad #globalestonian #proudestonian by @estowords

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7 months ago

When people’s ages are 100 years apart 🥹

This has become a cherished family tradition to host a moenäitus (fashion show) at @ehatareseniorliving @ehatare.foundation

Most of the residents are Estonian, and our late vanaemad (grandmas) once sat in the audience, cheering us on 💙

As kids in the diaspora, we used to come and perform here as Gaidid (Girl Guides) — and now our own children are visiting and bringing joy. The residents always light up and are so sweet with them.

A heartfelt suur aitäh (big thank you) to @merikeklaasdesigns for the stunning collection and for always being part of these magical days.

Our hearts are full 🤍

Xo,
Kaili & Kaarin
@estowords 💙🖤🤍

#GlobalEstonian #EstonianDiaspora #EstonianRoots taken in Ehatare Retirement and Nursing Home by @estowords

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9 months ago

Even in Canada, we hold onto Estonian traditions.
One of them? You don’t get a present unless you perform for Jõuluvana 🎅

This year, my son chose rap.
A true diaspora first 🎤

And if you know anything about Estonians… you know we all sang at our jõulupuu too.

Häid pühi from Kaili (and Kaarin) @estowords 🇪🇪🇨🇦

We’ve loved building this little community with you and sharing our diaspora stories this past year.

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#estoniandiaspora
#estoniansabroad
#jõulupuu
#estonianchristmas by @estowords

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10 months ago