Montreal Estonian Society

08/20/2026

🇪🇪 Head Eesti taasiseseisvumispäeva! 🇪🇪
Wishing everyone a beautiful and joyful Restoration of Independence Day! May Estonia always remain close to our hearts, wherever in the world we may be.

07/16/2026

EVENT CANCELLED 🎶 Meet INGER band from Estonia – This Sunday at 7:00 PM! 🇪🇪

A unique opportunity to spend an evening with one of Estonia's talented young bands!

📅 Sunday, 19 July
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Armon Plaza Montréal Airport Hotel
💰 Free admission

INGER band has kindly offered to give a small, intimate concert exclusively for the Montreal Estonian community while they're visiting the city. They'll perform some of their songs, but the evening is also about getting to know each other- they're excited to meet local Estonians, hear about life in Montreal, and connect with our community.

Let's give them a warm Montreal welcome! It's a wonderful chance to support these young musicians and learn more about what brings them to Canada.

Everyone is welcome - bring your family and friends!

🚆 Getting there by public transit

The hotel is easy to reach by public transit:
• Take the REM to Des Sources Station
• Transfer to Bus 815 toward Montréal–Trudeau Airport
• The hotel is just a short walk from the stop.

✅ Please RSVP - https://forms.gle/Rshx8M8DLXnYdBiBA

The event is free, but we'd really appreciate knowing if you're coming. Since this invitation comes on short notice during the busy summer season, an RSVP will help the band know whether to bring and set up their instruments. We already have a few people confirmed and hope to gather an even bigger group!

https://youtu.be/sk1VNiNQRJ4?si=SWn34_hM5BZGcoAi

“Close To You” from Botik Live session with my band. Enjoy!Follow...

06/24/2026

The Estonian flag is flying high as we celebrate Jaanipäev. 🇪🇪 Thank you to everyone who joined us in keeping our traditions alive. Head ilusat jaanipäeva!

06/19/2026

🌿 Jaanipäev at Lättemäe is tomorrow! 🔥

We’re looking forward to celebrating Midsummer with you!

The forecast suggests we might see a little rain, but don’t let that stop you. According to Estonian folklore, if rain didn’t fall from the sky, the sacred Midsummer dew (“jaanikaste”) was believed to bring beauty, youth, and good health to those who washed their face in it or walked through it. Maybe a little summer rain brings a bit of that magic too! 🌧️✨

A few reminders of what to bring:
🌧️ A rain jacket or weather-appropriate clothing
🦟 Mosquito repellent
🧖 A towel and swimwear if you plan to enjoy the sauna
🥨 A small snack if you think you’ll get hungry before dinner is served at 5:00 PM
💧 A reusable water bottle (optional, but always a good idea!)

Most importantly, bring your good mood and your Midsummer spirit. 🌼

Whether the sun shines or the rain falls, the bonfire will be lit, the sauna will be warm, the beer tasting will be ready, and we’ll celebrate together.

See you tomorrow! 🔥

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...