Montreal Estonian Society

06/09/2026

We’re counting days until Jaanipäev! Can’t wait to see you all very soon.
Early bird registration is still open https://montreal-estonian-society.square.site/product/jaanip-ev-midsummer-day-2026/M7YSZPFYQYWZ3X7EQKAPTFMS?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

06/02/2026

🔥🌿 MES Jaanipäev 2026 at Lättemäe 🌿🔥
Join us on Saturday, June 20 for a full day of Estonian midsummer celebrations at Lättemäe!
We'll kick things off at 1:00 PM with the traditional flag-raising ceremony and continue with an afternoon and evening filled with everything that makes Jaanipäev special.

✨ What's in Store:
🎶 Live music by Mari Sild
🎯 Games and activities for all ages
🍽️ Delicious Estonian Jaanipäev dinner served at 5:00 PM
🍰 NEW! Dessert Competition
Think you make Montreal's best cake, pie, or sweet treat? Bring your creation, show it off, and let the crowd decide! Everyone votes, one winner takes home the prize.
Sign up to compete: https://forms.gle/v7BwqEK9tTLsjjpP6
🧖 Traditional sauna
🔥 Bonfire
🍺 Craft beer tasting
⛺ Overnight camping — bring your tent and stay the night!
🤝 Want to help make the day happen? We're looking for volunteers! Send us a message if you'd like to lend a hand.

📍 Event Details
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: Starting at 1:00 PM (Dinner at 5:00 PM)
Location: Lättemäe

🎟️ Early Bird Tickets (until June 14)
Adults: $20 (Regular price after June 14: $30)
Youth (ages 6–17): $10
Children (ages 0–5): Free
Get your tickets here: https://sl1nk.com/jh98u1c
Bring your family, your friends, and your Jaanipäev spirit. We can't wait to celebrate together around the bonfire!
🔥 See you at Lättemäe! 🔥
— MES Team

05/14/2026

🌿 Talgud 2026 at Lättemäe - May 23 at 10 AM 🌿

Join us for one of our favorite traditions of the year — Talgud!

On Saturday, May 23 at 10 AM, we’re gathering at Lättemäe for a day of light work, fresh air, and good company. Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, everyone is welcome - bring friends, bring family, and yes, kids are absolutely welcome too! There’s plenty of space for them to run around and play.

We’ll take care of lunch, so just bring yourself and a willingness to get your hands a little dirty. As always, we’ll wrap up the day with a well-earned sauna and likely a cozy bonfire too. If you feel like it, bring along a small s’mores kit to enjoy by the fire 🔥

🧤 What to bring:
Work clothes, gloves, mosquito repellent, and a good attitude

📍 Details:
When: Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 10 AM
Where: Lättemäe

🚗 Need a ride? Let us know - we’ll help coordinate!

Come spend the day outdoors, connect with new or old friends, and help take care of a place that brings us all together. We hope to see you there!

05/13/2026

We have a bit of a mixed update about the Eurovision Watch Party planned for May 16.

We are cancelling the MES-hosted event at the Montreal Estonian Church. Estonia did not qualify for the Grand Final, and registrations were too low to go ahead as planned.

That said, if you'd still like to watch the finale with a crowd, there is a good alternative: the Scandinavian communities of Montreal are hosting a watch party at the Norwegian Church in Lachine, together with Swedes, Norwegians, Finns and Danes. Free entrance, live broadcast on the big screen, snacks, drinks, and a little competition to see who wins. 🎶

📅 May 16, starting at 2:30 PM
📍 5065 rue Sherbrooke, Lachine

To register, send your name and the number of people coming to:
📧 [email protected]

For those who make it — cheer loudly for Pete and Linda! 🇫🇮

05/11/2026

On Saturday, we gathered for another sold-out workshop in our Heritage Cooking Series — this time learning to make traditional Estonian pirukad. With 12 participants around the table, the church kitchen quickly filled with flour, laughter, and the smell of fresh pirukad baking in the oven.

Together, we made porgandipirukad and lihapirukad under the guidance of Katrin, our instructor for the day. As an experienced baker and food scientist, she guided participants through some of the trickiest parts of pirukate making: getting the dough consistency just right and learning proper shaping techniques — skills best passed on in person from generation to generation.

Our trusty church oven kept us waiting a little longer than expected, but the golden, warm pirukad were well worth it. Everyone went home with a box of soojad pirukad and hopefully the confidence to continue baking them at home.

Food has a special way of keeping culture alive, and workshops like these help ensure traditions continue creating new memories for future generations.

A heartfelt thank you to Katrin for sharing her knowledge and passion with the community, and to Eve-Lyn and Kadri for helping throughout the workshop. It is the generosity and dedication of volunteers like them that make MES events possible.

05/06/2026

🎤✨ Eurovision 2026 Watch Party – 16 May ✨🎤
Get ready for an afternoon of music, fun, and Eurovision magic! Join the Montreal Estonian Society for a lively Eurovision 2026 Watch Party - everyone who loves Eurovision is welcome!
📅 Date: May 16, 2026
🕝 Time: Doors open at 2:30 PM
📺 Live stream: 3:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: shared in the registration form
Expect great company, fun games, and a few small prizes throughout the event 🎉
🥨 Potluck-style: Feel free to bring snacks and drinks to share!
🎟️ Free event: Registration is required to attend
Whether you're cheering for your favorite country, dressing up, or just here for the iconic performances, this is the place to be!
👉 Reserve your spot now and celebrate Eurovision together: https://forms.gle/SMQGjUUECs9DXcaJA

https://youtu.be/lOiWuol3t3o

Subscribe and 🔔 to Eurovision 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/eurovision?sub_confirmation=1 ​Vanilla Ninja will represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Con...

04/21/2026

🇪🇪 The Estonian Embassy will be in Montréal on May 5 for a pop-up consulate.

If you or your family need passport/ID services or other consular matters, take a look at the details in the post below and make sure to contact them by April 30.

Feel free to pass this along to others who might benefit.
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🇪🇪 Eesti saatkond tuleb 5. mail Montréali pop-up konsulaadiga.

Kui sul või su perel on vaja passi/ID-kaardi teenuseid või muid konsulaarteenuseid, vaata allolevat postitust ja võta nendega ühendust hiljemalt 30. aprilliks.

Jaga ka teistega, kellele see võib kasulik olla.

📍Saatkonna pop-up konsulaat on 5. mail Montréalis.
📍Kui soovid taotleda esmakordselt 🇪🇪 passi või ID-kaarti, Su dokumendid vajavad uuendamist, või vajad muid konsulaarteenuseid, siis palun anna oma soovist teada 30. aprilliks
📧[email protected]

📍Embassy’s pop-up consulate is coming to Montréal on May 5.
📍If you need to apply for the first time or renew your 🇪🇪 Estonian Passport or ID-card or pick up your e-Residency digital ID, please register your interest with us by April 30 📧[email protected]

04/14/2026

Our pre-Easter kringel workshop was such a joy 💛
Just look at that group photo — all smiles, hea tuju, and a lot of beautifully braided kringel!
One of the nicest parts was hearing where the kringels ended up afterwards — shared at family tables, gifted to friends, or simply enjoyed at home. For some, it may have even been their first little taste of Eesti, which makes it extra special.
We were also really happy to see familiar faces, it means a lot to see people come back and enjoy these traditions again. Kringel truly is a festive classic, and it’s lovely to see it appreciated here as well.
A big aitäh to everyone who joined, and especially to Beatrice and Katrin for guiding us and sharing their knowledge so generously!
We’re excited to keep these Heritage Cooking events going — your energy and participation make it all worthwhile 🙌

✨ Next event: Pirukad workshop
📅 May 9
🕐 1:00 PM
Members: $10, Non-members: $20, Become a member for $20/year and save on events: https://montreal-estonian-society.square.site
👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/w1hXEmq35jjboVQw8

04/10/2026

A few upcoming events that may interest you:

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Mari Sild live at Montreal Art Center and Museum
April 11 | Montreal Art Center and Museum, downtown Montreal

Estonian pianist, singer and songwriter Mari Sild (originally from Tartu) performs at one of downtown Montreal's most historic venues. Her Nordic fusion sound spans Estonian, French and English, and has been heard at festivals and venues across Canada, Europe and Brazil.

For this concert, she is joined by Cuban guitarist Deny Lester — together they created the world's first salsa song in Estonian, "Tahan" — and violinist Leyla Kibrite. The trio will perform a mix of original music and jazz and pop classics in Estonian, French, English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Bar and restaurant service available. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1746526546732495/

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Estonian Film Screening — Colourful Dreams / Summer Echo
April 29, 8:00 pm | Casa d'Italia, 505 Jean-Talon E (via Berri)

Cinéma Public is screening two classic Estonian films. Colourful Dreams (1974), directed by Virve Aruoja and Jaan Tooming, is a largely improvised, visually striking film seen through the eyes of a five-year-old girl, with a score by Arvo Pärt. It has been called one of the boldest experiments in Estonian film history and was newly restored in 2024. English subtitles.

More details: https://cinemapublic.ca/en/films/colourful-dreams-summer-echo/

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Swedish Jazz Evening / Soirée de jazz suédois
May 9, 6:30 pm | Église norvégienne / Norwegian Church, 5065 rue Sherbrooke, Lachine

The Swedish Choir performs an evening of beloved Swedish jazz songs, conducted by Matthew Lane. Wine, cheese, and a market/exhibition will follow the concert.
La chorale suédoise interprète des chansons de jazz suédoises bien-aimées, dirigée par Matthew Lane. Du vin, du fromage et un marché/exposition suivront le concert.

Tickets / Billets:
Adults / Adultes: $20 via Interac, $25 at the door / à la porte
Under 18 / Moins de 18 ans: $10 via Interac, $15 at the door / à la porte
Interac: [email protected]

04/01/2026

🇪🇪 URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE MONTREAL ESTONIAN SOCIETY 🇪🇪
Due to unprecedented membership growth, the Office québécois de la langue française has opened a formal inquiry into whether Estonian qualifies as a regional language of Québec.
Effective immediately, tere (hello) and head aega (goodbye) are under review for mandatory use in all Montreal businesses. Jah (yes) and ei (no) are expected to follow by summer.
We have been asked to stop recruiting new members.
We have not stopped recruiting new members.
The OQLF has also raised concerns about the word õ, which does not exist in French, English, or any other language they were prepared for. Negotiations are ongoing.
If you have not yet joined, this is your sign. Membership at https://montreal-estonian-society.square.site/ — before it becomes legally required anyway.
Tere tulemast, Montréal. 🇪🇪