Estonian independence 108, US west coast, Estonians' project of the century: KESKUS
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Update #275
Celebrating Estonia's independence on the US west coast
"What makes KESKUS International Estonian Centre international?", is a question that KESKUS project lead addressed at her remarks at the Portland and Los Angeles Estonian communities' 108th anniversary of Estonian independence celebrations, through the North American lens.
KESKUS continues to pique interest and at this time more than 600 singers, rahvatantsijad and gymnasts and their friends, families and all manner of guests will be convening to Toronto late summer, to celebrate the opening of KESKUS on August 20th, 2026. KESKUS project lead Ellen Valter gratefully accepted the invitation to join the Los Angeles and Portland Estonian Independence Day celebrations to talk about the project.
Her remarks opened with reference to the preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, "With an unwavering faith and a steadfast will to secure and develop a state [...] that shall guarantee the preservation of the Estonian nation, language and culture through the ages", noting that the preamble notes the duration but not the location where the Estonian nation, language and culture will endure.
Following is an excerpt from her remarks:
[...] "Estonia has, over the past almost 35 years, earned its reputation as a smart, agile, and internationally engaged country. Its digital leadership, principled foreign policy, and strong alliances reflect an outward-looking mindset that has served it well. As Estonia navigates an increasingly complex global environment, there is an opportunity to extend that same clarity of purpose to how it understands and engages its people abroad.
Today, roughly one-fifth of Estonians live outside of Estonia. We are in every possible industry and field and sustain our communities – every one of us here today. Outwardly, we function as Estonia’s interpreters to the world—building relationships, shaping perceptions, and opening doors in places where Estonia’s voice matters. Our contribution is often indirect, but no less real for that.
This reflects our own sense of place. Resident in North America. And with hearts full for Eesti and for our Estonian communities here. It is also here in North America where preservation of the Estonian nation, its language and culture evolves and endures.
The zither continues its mainstage beauty, in both Portland (left) and Los Angeles (right)
Estonia quite rightly invests in encouraging return migration, including outreach to later-generation Estonians abroad. Demographic sustainability is a legitimate concern. At the same time, Estonia’s long-term resilience also depends on maintaining a strong, trusted presence beyond its borders. A globally distributed population is not a weakness for a small state; it is a strategic asset. Estonia’s security, prosperity, and influence are reinforced when its people are embedded in international networks of decision-making, culture, commerce, and civil society.
History offers an important reminder. During the decades of Soviet occupation, it was our diaspora that sustained Estonia’s cause internationally. Now in 2026, thirty-five years after independence was restored, the context may have changed, but the principle remains: Influence is built where Estonians live and work, and global awareness, advocacy, and alliance-building are essential to Estonia’s success.
Many of the most effective expressions of a global Estonia emerge from grounded local realities, in the very physical sense of place. And this is where KESKUS comes in. The KESKUS project is the biggest project that an Estonian community abroad has ever undertaken. KESKUS will spark discussion and engagement, it’s a showcase which we can all point to with pride, we can see that our diaspora is vibrant and evolving. It elevates all Estonians on this continent and beyond.
Located in the heart of North America's 4th largest city, KESKUS is intended as a platform for dialogue and engagement, embedding Estonia more deeply in North American cultural, intellectual, and geopolitical conversations.
We see a lot of opportunities to have this kind of Estonian hub in a North America time zone to support us all. To name one example, the women’s weekend folkdance retreat each September, “Nou Pois Äläud” brings together diaspora Estonian women from all over the world, and it holds special meaning to those who don’t have other Estonians around them.
[...]
Moreover, all kinds of people have connections to Estonia of one kind or another. Indeed they don’t even need to be Estonian at all in order to engage, promote, care. KESKUS is about being a big tent and open, not an old-school clubhouse.
KESKUS will be attentive to emerging debates, and able to translate insights back to Estonia. When these networks are encouraged to thrive wherever Estonians and estophiles are located, they reinforce Estonia’s interests at home.
Small states endure by cultivating dense, outward-facing networks of trust and cooperation. Estonia’s global people are part of that infrastructure. Recognizing and engaging them as partners is not symbolic; it is strategic. Estonia’s financial support of KESKUS construction is strategic.
Estonia has every advantage to deepen this relationship further—through recognition, dialogue, and a shared understanding of contribution across borders. A country that is confident at home and connected abroad can be both rooted and expansive, secure and influential. In a world where friendships matter, Estonia is strongest when it draws fully on the reach of its people—wherever they may be.
And together, as a mutually supportive diaspora, we too have every advantage to sustain our communities.
With an unwavering faith and a steadfast will to secure and develop a state [...] that shall guarantee the preservation of the Estonian nation, language and culture through the ages."
Discover the benefits of giving wisely
Please join the growing list of KESKUS capital campaign donors to help bring this extraordinary project to completion. KESKUS leadership donors are recognized here.
There are many ways to make a contribution to KESKUS.
To donate, click here, or call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All donations are issued a tax receipt, in Canada via Estonian Arts Centre, US tax receipts via Myriad USA and Estonian tax receipts via Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond. Donations by credit card may be made here.
Legacy gifts made to the Estonian Arts Centre, the charity associated with KESKUS, are creative and tax-effective ways to provide support. These are known as “planned gifts” because with thoughtful planning, we create a win-win situation that benefits both you and our community for generations to come. Find out how to provide a bequest in your will by going to www.estoniancentre.ca/bequest.
For information on making other types of planned gifts, including gifts of appreciated securities or insurance policies, or if you have any other questions, please contact EAC Donations Manager Taimi Hooper via email at donations@estoniancentre.ca or phone +1.647.250.7136.
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