Day 11 - International Forums and Conversations

Read the full story and photos here.

Today was filled with connection, learning, and unexpected joy. We began at the ESTO2025 International Forum, hosted by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was incredible to finally meet people in person whom I’ve connected with online for years. These are the people dedicated to sharing and preserving Estonian culture worldwide.

I started the day at the Chamber of Commerce session, where Sulev helped guide me through the world of international business and cultural diplomacy. I even met the Foreign Minister and was featured in a photo on the ESTO2025 Instagram, what a surreal moment! The forum offered live Estonian-to-English translation, making it inclusive for everyone, especially those still learning the language (like me!).

One quote really stood out: “Estonians don’t speak much, we do much.” That really resonated. Later, Mum, Ingrid and I joined a cultural forum to talk about our Käsitöö group in Australia. We learned so much from other diaspora communities and even spoke with someone from the Ministry of Culture about improving access to grants for foreign Estonian groups.

In the afternoon, we attended the kids camp discussion. Having run the Estonian Summer Camp in Australia for six years, I loved sharing ideas. It reminded me how beautifully our Sydney community works together, from dancers and singers to our folk costume library. Wearing rahvariided really brings the culture to life for kids.

We ended the day visiting our favourite fabric shop, reconnecting with Svetlana, and picking up materials for new rahvariided and potentially Estonian Designs AU products. Dinner with Argo’s family was the perfect close, so special to be part of everyday life here. And in a fun twist, Argo proposed to me using a toy donut… so I may now be “engaged” to an Estonian man. What a day!