East Coast

Different parts of the country are seeing different levels of COVID-19 activity. The United States nationally is in the acceleration phase of the pandemic. The duration and severity of each pandemic phase can vary depending on the characteristics of the virus and the public health response, states the CDC. All...

Problems with "Vaba Eesti Sõna" DeliveryWe have received news of disruptions and delays of our newspaper delivery, even in central New York City. We regret this fact and ask readers to be patient in the given extraordinary circumstances. We remind you that the paper can also be read online. If...

Estonian American National Council President Marju Rink-Abel and Washington, DC Director Karin Shuey were both invited to speak away from their home bases near DC at community events that celebrated 102 years of Estonian independence. Marju visited the Atlanta community and Karin went to the south Florida community’s program in...

Estonian Government Forms Crisis CommissionThe Estonian government has set up a government crisis commission to deal with the COVID-19 virus outbreak and, as an additional measure, has decided to prohibit cruise ships from docking in Tallinn until May 1. Events with more than 100 participants are also being cancelled. In...

“Some are dissatisfied with the name of the paper, others with the appearance, others with print and paper, and quite a few with the articles. ” What may come as a surprise is that this summary of Vaba Eesti Sõna reader critiques was written by Jacob Madison, the first President...

Ksenia Okhapkina on the left.   Photo: Estonian Consulate General   The Estonian-Latvian co-production film “Surematu” (“Immortal”) had a sold out US premier on February 11,  at New York’s MoMA, The Museum of Modern Art as part of the Doc Fortnight series.   Congratulations to director Ksenia Okhapkina and producer Riho...

From left: Susan Luitsalu, author, and a member of the documentary film crew; artist Mark Kostabi; Tommy Campbell, a famous  American Jazz drummer.    Photo by Anneliis Mann On the evening of January 24th, 2020, there was an opening reception for contemporary artist and composer Mark Kostabi, an American-born artist of ...

The New York Estonian House will have a week-long art exhibit on Feb 22-29, 2020. There will be an opening party on Sunday, February 23rd, and a closing/dismount LEAP YEAR party on February 29th. The Estonian House will take care of the actual hanging of the artwork. If any of...

The pirukas is Estonia’s savory gift to the fattening world of turnovers, or if you prefer, dumplings. Although there are many varieties, at its core, the pirukas is a stuffed sweet bread or pastry dough filled with Estonian ethnic delight. Pick your favorite filling, whether stewed beef, carrots, ham, cabbage,...