EstoCast

Traditional music, as creative producer and musician Lee Taul says, is a foundation that can be built upon with one’s own ideas, personality, and creativity. As her colleague Margit Kuhi, in charge of ETHNO Estonia, explains, there’s not a separation of old and new. What’s traditional and what’s cutting edge work together.

These are the kinds of philosophies at play in Viljandi at the Estonian Traditional Music Center, the organizers of ETHNO camps for youth and adults and Viljandi Folk Music Festival ( @viljandifolk ). In the latest episode of EstoCast, we hear from these leaders about:

🎻The method in which music is taught by ear at the centre

🪗How participants find their ideal roles in the music world or skills for other occupations

🏛️The value of community for musicians amidst the individualistic approach of music today

🎵and much more!

Things mentioned in this episode: 

-The Estonian Traditional Music Center: https://folk.ee/ 

-Viljandi Folk Music Festival: https://www.viljandifolk.ee/en 

-ETHNO Estonia: https://ethno.world/ethno/estonia/ 

-Lee Taul’s album “Like Moths to a Flame”: https://open.spotify.com/album/5IJMP5XfHLmz5nTiyyTdFA 

-Town of Viljandi: https://visitviljandi.ee/en/ 

-The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre: https://eamt.ee/en/

-Heino Elleri Muusikakool: https://www.tmk.ee

-Learning music with sheet music compared to learning by ear: https://katherinemoller.ca/tips-tricks-learning-by-ear-vs-reading-sheet-music-which-is-the-better-way-to-learn-the-fiddle/ 

-Natalie Jenkins’ article in Eesti Elu about ETHNO, in conversation with Katariina Jaenes: https://eestielu.ca/finding-connection-in-music-katariina-jaenes-experience-at-ethno/ 

-Luke Dante: https://eestielu.ca/professional-spotlight-luke-dante-one-of-the-sound-effect-wizards-behind-paw-patrol/ 

-Kertu-Liis Õnnis: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xutqvdSnNaJgeLU3DDM8j?si=tcE7&nd=1&dlsi=045a3d764e5f424f

-More about the instrument known as the kannel: https://organology.net/instrument/kannel/ 

-Viljandi Culture Academy: https://viljandi.ut.ee/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

EstoCasti viienda hooaja esimeses eestikeelses episoodis räägime Eesti esimese riigiarhitekti Tõnis Arjusega, kes külastas hiljuti Torontot, et osa võtta KESKUSe avapidustustest. Visiidi jooksul tutvus ta ka Tartu College’i ja VEMU tegemistega, osales legendaarses Metsaülikoolis ja kohtus oma Kanada kolleegidega. Vestluses kuulete, millise mulje jättis suurlinn Toronto, millised on linnaplaneerimise ja linnade tihendamisega seotud väljakutsed ning kuidas kasvatada linnu nii, et säiliks elukeskkonna kvaliteet. Muidugi räägime ka eestlusest.

Värskes saates kuulete:

- kuidas tihendada kiiresti kasvavat linna nii, et rohkem elamispinda ei tähendaks lihtsalt rohkem ja kõrgemaid maju, vaid tõepoolest paremat elukeskkonda;

- milline on Eesti riigiarhitetki roll;

- kas Eestil oleks midagi õppida Toronto linnaplaneerimise kogemustest või ehk hoopis vastupidi;

- milline on olnud väliseesti arhitektide panus Toronto linnaruumi arengusse;

- millisena näeb Tõnis väliseestluse tulevikku.

Saates mainiti: 

- Jarmo Kauge, “Eesti arhitektid Torontos”: https://arhitektuurimuuseum.ee/est/product/uude-maailma-eesti-arhitektid-torontos/

- Jason Thorne: https://torontolife.com/city/jason-thorne-toronto-new-chief-planner/

- Elsa Lam: http://www.design-writer.ca/

- Rohkem Tõnisest: https://maaruum.ee/uudised/eesti-riigiarhitekt-tonis-arjus

- Jane Jacobs: https://www.pps.org/article/jjacobs-2

- Spadina Expressway: https://www.blogto.com/city/2010/07/nostalgia_tripping_the_spadina_expressway_debacle/

- Uno Prii, 77 Elm St.: https://storeys.com/site-seeing-with-hume-alan-brown-building/

- KESKUS: https://www.estoniancentre.ca/

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

Welcome to the 5th season of EstoCast! 🥳

The music of Olaf Kopvillem may depict one man’s story and experience at face value, but it also shows a more universal refugee experience in the sense that a lot of post Second World War refugees would have had similar thoughts, journeys, and circumstances.

Conveying that to us in an exhibit at VEMU Estonian Museum Canada and now at the beginning of the fifth season of EstoCast is Olaf’s granddaughter Keila Kopvillem. As we lead up to the exhibit’s opening on September 19th, listen to EstoCast to hear what went into telling the story of a key cultural figure. This time around we chat about:

🗂finding lightness and humour in dark times as shown in private memoirs

🪨the mining labour Olaf did to survive between playing nightclub gigs in Montréal with his friends

🧪how spinning a displaced person’s camp school report card may have determined Olaf Kopvillem’s career path

🎙️and much more

Things mentioned in this episode include:

-Arhivaari võimalus: Finding Unprocessed Treasures: https://eestielu.ca/et/arhivaari-voimalus-finding-unprocessed-treasures/ 

-More about Olaf Kopvillem: https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaf_Kopvillem

-VEMU Estonian Museum Canada: https://www.vemu.ca

-Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom: https://vabamu.ee/en/

-Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: https://www.rferl.org

-CORRECTION: Keila’s father Peeter Kopvillem was Director of the Estonian Service. Keila’s mother Eva Varangu helped create the South Slavic Service that included Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians, many who did not speak English.

-Lennart Meri: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lennart-Meri

-Vaba Eestlane (Free Estonian) newspaper: https://athabascau.arcabc.ca/challenge?destination=%2Fconnecting-canadians%2Fvaba-eestlane

-Feuilleton: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feuilleton

-Vaiko Eplik’s radio show episode (in Estonian): “Muusika nõudlikule maitsele. Olaf Kopvillem” on Vikerraadio: https://vikerraadio.err.ee/1609399810/muusika-noudlikule-maitsele-olaf-kopvillem

-Kiviõli, where Olaf Kopvillemn was born: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kiviõli

-The city of Darmstadt: https://www.britannica.com/place/Darmstadt-Germany

-Vaiko Eplik’s article in Eesti Elu / Estonian Life about Geislingen (in Estonian): https://eestielu.ca/et/oma-vanavanemate-jalajalgedes-5-osa-geislingen/

-Lembit Koorits: https://www.geni.com/people/Lembit-Koorits/6000000008358258035

-A 1954 Meie Elu article about a Montréal-based troupe that included Rein Kivilaht, Lembit Koorits, and Olaf Kopvillem: https://testdea.nlib.ee/?a=d&d=meieelukanada19541006.2.21&e=-------en-25--1--txt-txIN%7ctxTI%7ctxAU%7ctxTA-------------

-An overview of colloid chemistry: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/colloid-chemistry

-Oil shale in Estonia: https://taltech.ee/en/oil-shale-competence-center/about-oil-shale 

-Details about the life of Roman Toi: https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/roman-toi-obituary?id=41389728

-An example of Victor Borge’s comedy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIf3IfHCoiE

-“Vindilised Viisid” on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/7104401-Olaf-Kopvillem-Vindilised-Viisid?srsltid=AfmBOoqkk1upMrApPZcrHHXvgu6TJR-W2NW-6_gEupXOrhV6VIJatILx

-The lyrics for Olaf Kopvillem’s song “Tsivilisatsioon”: https://sasslantis.ee/lyrics-olaf_kopvillem-tsivilisatsioon 

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

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

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