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News/Events


International 24-member 'Nou Pois Äläud' group accepted to Tantsupidu!
Update #241 Nou Pois Äläud has been granted 24 spots at this summer's Tantsupidu!
Mar 43 min read


Construction update March 2025
Update #240 Heritage wing of KESKUS in the middle of its facelift, steel en route
Mar 33 min read


Kingston area Estonians gather to celebrate Estonia's 107th birthday
Update #239 Kingston area Estonians came out to the University Club at Queen's to toast Estonia's 107th birthday.
Mar 25 min read

Vabariigi aastapäev - Happy 107th birthday, celebrate in Kingston, Ontario
Teade/Update #238 You're invited to celebrate Vabariigi Aastapäev in Kingston Ontario!
Feb 132 min read


Estonian Arts Centre wins prestigious award
Update # 237 EAC recognized by The Veritas Foundation as Canada's top arts charity On hand to receive the award from left: Ellen Valter,...
Feb 74 min read


Construction update February 2025
Update #236 KESKUS above grade construction is steel, over 1000 pieces of it. It is scheduled to arrive end of February.
Feb 23 min read


Donor profile: Estonian Business School
Update #235 Estonian Business School becomes Viru Vanemad donor to KESKUS
Jan 274 min read

Donor profile: Heli Jürgenson
Update #234 Heli Jürgenson brings a valuable musical connection to KESKUS by becoming a donor to help finish the project.
Jan 84 min read

Pathway to Freedom
Update #233 Estonian Arts Centre presents the Pathway to Freedom paver stone project at KESKUS International Estonian Centre.
Dec 13, 20242 min read


Construction update December 2024
Update / Teade #232 KESKUS construction update for December 2024
Dec 5, 20243 min read

Top 5 takeaways from 20th KESKUS Community Engagement Session
Update #231 The 20th Community Engagement Session for KESKUS International Estonian Centre took place on November 12th, 2024, via Zoom.
Nov 30, 20243 min read


Construction update November 2024
Teade/update #230 construction update - structural concrete now completed, structural steel in heritage wing installed.
Nov 3, 20243 min read


Donor Profile: Endel Palla
Update #229 Donor profile of Endel Palla, one of the most recent major donors to join the "Kalevipoja Laud" level of giving to KESKUS
Nov 3, 20244 min read

Infokoosolek /// Community engagement session November 12, 2024 - mark your calendar!
Update #228 - Please attend on November 12, 2024 at 7pm ET, from wherever in the world you are, for project updates.
Oct 31, 20241 min read


Estonia's diaspora: Veiko Parming's reflections on the 1944 Mass Flight
Update #227 September 2024 marks 80 years since the Mass Flight of 1944 from Estonia. Veiko Parming gave a thoughtful, insightful speech.
Oct 3, 20242 min read

Construction update October 2024
Update/teade #226 The mega-pour with 37 concrete trucks lining up like clockwork over 9 hours at KESKUS, on September 16th 2024.
Oct 1, 20243 min read


'Nou (Samm) Pois Äläud-III' 48 hours from intros to performance
Update #225 - the third installation of the 'Nou Pois Äläud' Estonian women's weekend folkdance retreat
Sep 18, 20244 min read

Construction update September 2024
Update / Trade #224 - All of the forming, rebar, and concrete that became the main focus over July has continued through August.
Sep 4, 20244 min read


Igatsed pastelde järgi? An opportunity to make a pair of pastlad of your own!
Estonian Arts Centre's "Käsitöö Lounge: Pastlad workshop" presents the opportunity for those not attending Nou (Samm) Pois Äläud-III to neve
Aug 28, 20242 min read


Donor Profile: Estonian Central Council in Canada welcomed to Koidula Gild
Update #222 “This is the most important build for the Estonian community globally, says ECC Board Chair Reet Marten Sehr.
Aug 5, 20246 min read


Construction update August 2024
Update #221 - caisson and pile caps along southern edge of KESKUS site poured in early June, grade beams being formed.
Aug 2, 20243 min read

Sõnad: Esto Words, new series of children's books supported by Estonian Arts Centre
Update #220 Kaili and Kaarin, founded Sõnad: Esto Words, a learning resource company, to cater to families like theirs around the world.
Jul 21, 20243 min read

Kongats Architects, KESKUS architect, wins prestigious Governor General’s Medal in Architecture …for the fourth time!
Kongats Architects, the brilliant minds behind KESKUS International Estonian Centre, have again been honoured with a prestigious 2024 Govern
Jun 22, 20243 min read


Early bird registration now open for ‘Nou Pois Äläud-III’
Building on the good-vibes of the first two 'Nou Pois Äläud' weekends, this third edition of the women's Estonian folkdance retreat is now o
Jun 12, 20244 min read


Construction update June 2024
Update / Teade # 217 KESKUS International Estonian Centre construction progress report Remediation work by the TTC over the western half...
Jun 6, 20243 min read


Donor Profile: Hamilton congregation
This small but mighty congregation, with its 47 dedicated, active members, has made a generous $100,000 Kalevipoja Laud donation to KESKUS
May 25, 20244 min read


Seventh virtual forum for Estonians abroad
Update # 215 Global Estonian virtual forum : Estonia as an opportunity Press release (translated) from Estonia's Ministry of Foreign...
May 3, 20243 min read


Construction update May 2024
Update / Teade # 214 KESKUS International Estonian Centre construction looking to span tunnels next. With the TTC work over the western...
Apr 29, 20243 min read


Recognising KESKUS volunteers during National Volunteer Week
Update # 213 Canada's National Volunteer Week runs April 14-20, 2024 and on April 16th, 2024, at the Royal Ontario Museum, several...
Apr 17, 20243 min read


FILMIST Estonian Film Festival debuts
Update # 212 March 15-17, 2024 marked the debut of a new Estonian film festival in the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area), one that...
Apr 5, 20243 min read


Construction update April 2024
Update / Teade # 211 KESKUS International Estonian Centre construction is now working toward starting the 1-year countdown clock to...
Apr 2, 20243 min read


Cracking good times ahead!
Update April 1, 2024 With Easter chocolate still coursing through veins, suggestions for spring activities at KESKUS International...
Mar 31, 20241 min read


FILMIST Stuudio – five stories in one week
Update # 210 Storytelling has not gone away, but with ever fewer among us who were born in Estonia and recall the need to flee in 1944...
Mar 20, 20244 min read


Construction update March 2024
Update / Teade # 209 The western half of the ground level bistro subfloor, aka 'slab', has been poured (check out the writing on wet...
Mar 3, 20242 min read


FILMIST Estonian Film Festival
Update # 208 New film festival in Hamilton and Toronto, March 15-17 2024 Lights, camera, action! Cinematic excitement is about to hit...
Mar 1, 20243 min read

A Legacy of Inspiration: Aimi Zechanowitsch
Update # 207 Aimi Zechanowitsch's testamentary gift ignited by Ülle Veltmann's passion In the world of philanthropy, stories often unfold...
Feb 14, 20244 min read


Construction update February 2024
Update / Teade # 206 Over the holidays and into January, the TTC erected an enclosure over the tunnels to maintain consistent...
Feb 1, 20243 min read


Estonian Arts Centre founding member of EU National Institutes for Culture Toronto cluster
Update # 205 Regional meeting in NYC kicks off reinvigorated Toronto cluster for European culture EUNIC rekindles cultural connections in...
Jan 30, 20243 min read

Lights, Camera, Action! Register for "FILMIST Stuudio" – March Break filmmaking course, ages 12-17!
Update # 204 Inaugural March Break filmmaking course Dear Young Creatives, Get ready to embark on an unforgettable cinematic adventure!...
Jan 17, 20242 min read


KESKUS launches pivotal legacy campaign
Update # 203 “Girl from refugee camp” gives back as first KESKUS legacy donor When Ene Riisna crossed the Atlantic Ocean to North America...
Jan 10, 20245 min read

Looking back on KESKUS' busy 2023
Update # 202 The KESKUS project progressed notably in 2023! Soon we'll count down to opening the doors of Estonians' "Project of the...
Dec 31, 20233 min read


Holiday greetings from KESKUS
Update # 201 Heartfelt holiday greetings from the KESKUS team! The KESKUS team, that includes the boards of International Estonian Centre...
Dec 20, 20233 min read


Construction update for end of 2023
Update / Teade No. 200 Taking a look back to the construction progress over 2023, the year started with completion of the deep...
Dec 19, 20232 min read


Last minute holiday shopping? EAC and KESKUS can help!
Update # 199 Give the gift of a weekend of dance retreat experience! A gift certificate to NPÄ-III is a terrific option for the woman on...
Dec 13, 20233 min read

December 2023 construction update
Update / Teade No. 198 November witnessed a lot of visible progress on the site as the structure rises back up from the depths of the...
Dec 3, 20232 min read


Top 5 takeaways from 19th KESKUS community engagement session
Update #197 The 19th Community Engagement Session for KESKUS International Estonian Centre took place on November 5, 2023 in hybrid form,...
Nov 10, 20234 min read

Count yourself in! Saagu KESKUS!
Update #196 If you have not made a gift to KESKUS in 2023, "Saagu KESKUS" is the time to do it! Be sure to add your name to the 2023...
Nov 2, 20232 min read

November 2023 construction update
Update / Teade #195 October saw a lot of action as the KESKUS project is now in Phase II of construction - that is, starting to rise back...
Nov 1, 20233 min read

Community engagement session on November 5, 2023 - Mark your calendar!
Teade / Update #194 Please attend, from wherever in the world you are, for project updates. If you're in the vicinity, attend in-person...
Oct 26, 20232 min read


Canadian donors: tax rules a-changing!
Update #193 For taxpayers in Canada, changes are coming for 2024, and therefore donating still in 2023 is a good proposition for many....
Oct 20, 20233 min read
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