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