Arvo Pärt 85
We are sending our most heartfelt wishes to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt who is celebrating his 85th birthday today.
Pärt’s work has significantly changed the way we understand the nature of music. In 1976, he created a unique musical language called tintinnabuli, which has touched many people and has greatly influenced contemporary music. Pärt’s oeuvre is rich and versatile, including many large-scale compositions for choir and orchestra, four symphonies and works for soloists and orchestra, as well as numerous choral pieces, chamber music and organ music. The majority of his works are based on liturgical texts and prayers.
According to the classical music database Bachtrack, between 2012 and 2018 Pärt was the world’s most performed contemporary composer.
He has also created music for many films. Listen to Pärt performing one of his most beloved film music compositions, Ukuaru Waltz.
Video credit: Arvo Pärt Centre
#ArvoPärt85
We have moved to a temporary location! This morning we lowered the flags on our beloved Embassy building on Massachusetts Avenue and said goodbye for the next couple of years until the Embassy is being fully renovated. Until then, you’ll find us at 1990 K St NW, 20006.
The Consular Section is open by appointment only, please e-mail us at [email protected].
On the occasion of World Health Day, we would like to show our appreciation to health care workers all around the world who dedicate their lives to saving others 🙏. Here’s a message from Ambassador Vseviov #WorldHealthDay
Suur põgenemine 75 / The Great Refugee Flight 75
„Grandma told me to pack my suitcase and said that she would put me on a ship headed for Sweden. My father had already gone there. I was confused and sad. Grandma herself did not come with me. She said she was too old. On 22 September, my grandmother and I stepped through our front door and went to the harbour. The same day, the Red Army invaded Tallinn. I cannot imagine how my grandmother must have felt when I boarded the ship. I never saw her again.”
Ilon, a 14-year-old student at the time
In the late summer and autumn of 1944, at the turning point of the Second World War, when the Red Army was advancing, around 75 000-80 000 people fled from Estonia, and a total of nearly 300 000 people left the Baltic States. This year marks the 75th anniversary of those events.
In their adopted countries, Estonians formed various organisations of expatriate Estonians that focused on preserving Estonian culture and fighting for the restoration of Estonia’s independence in cooperation with Estonian diplomats who had remained in the West.
In remembrance of the mass exodus of Estonians to the West during the Second World War, we honour the states, communities and individuals who welcomed and helped Estonians and their families.
We would like to thank Estonians abroad who have carried Estonia and its freedom in their hearts.
More information: https://vm.ee/en/75-years-great-refugee-flight-west
Baltic Way 30 at the U.S. Capitol
Ambassador Jonatan Vseviov speaking at the #BalticWay30 commemoration at the U.S. Capitol on the 23rd of August.
A huge thank you to all participants who braved the weather and joined us in this historic event. Special thanks to all the volunteers who had to stand in the rain for hours.
Video courtesy of European Union in the United States
Wana Wõromaa Wunkorkestri is in Annapolis, MD today! Come and join us at the First Sunday Arts Festival!
The musicians will perform next week also in Cumberland, Oakland, Frostburg and Salisbury!
Have you already visited our Embassy during EU Open House? Come and enjoy Mari Kalkun perform, Pillerkaar - Washington, DC dance Estonian traditional dances and learn a lot of new things about Estonia!
Open until 4PM!
Today, Estonia celebrates 15 years of membership of the European Union. Former Estonian President Lennart Meri, one of the great figures behind Estonia joining the EU soon after the restoration of independence, once said: „Europe is not geography. Europe is a unity of principles and an allegiance to principles.“ In those 15 years, the EU has become an integral part of Estonia’s economy and everyday life. We can freely move in Europe, study in and experience different countries, trade goods easily with other member states. But this is also founded on the values we share – our belief in democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law – and the understanding that it is better to be together than alone.
To mark the occasion, we dug out from our archives a copy of the Accession Treaty, which entered into force on 1 May 2004. Pretty impressive, right? It is the result of many years of hard work and negotiations to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, containing dedicated sections for all ten countries who joined at the same time: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Malta and Cyprus.
Happy birthday, dear neighbour Latvia!!!
🇪🇪🇱🇻💯🎂!
Little Red Riding Hood, a wolf and a grandmother. We enjoyed the show very much! Don’t forget to go to see ‘Põlenud mägi’, the other performance Vanemuine does in Washington DC!
This how we are celebrating #BalticCentennialMidsummer on Dupont Circle with Embassy of Latvia in Washington, D.C. and Lietuvos ambasada Vašingtone / Embassy of Lithuania in Washington, D.C.. Come and have a look!
Having fun at #EUOpenHouse! Come and see Pillerkaar - Washington, DC perform!
Our Embassy now has a Estonia 100 banner! Look how it was installed today and come tomorrow to have a look during #EUOpenHouse!
Today President Kersti Kaljulaid visited the Michel Sittow exhibition at the National Gallery. Michel Sittow. Eesti maalikunstnik Euroopa õukondades
Today Aleksander Einseln, Estonian general and first Commander of Estonian Defense Forces since regaining independence and Colonel of US Army who participated in Vietnam and Korea Wars was laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery. He will never be forgotten. Puhka rahus!
Today we celebrated Estonia 100 in Washington. Our reception started with a flash mob from very talented The Thirteen. Thank you, our supporters Milrem Robotics, Defendec, Cybernetica and Datel for making it possible!
Happy holidays! All the best wishes for the holiday season! ❄️ 🎄 🎅
Today we enjoyed the Final Performance by our Embassy Adoption parter class: 5th graders from Miner Elementary. Thank you, Miss Hicks and all the children for the wonderful experience. It was a joy to be partnered with you!
Today we have EU Open House! Folk dancers are performing, we had a children's choir sing and there are plenty of other activities!
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performed today in Richmond to full house and received standing ovations. Here is a fragment from 'Curse Upon Iron' by Veljo Tormis. Our Deputy Chief of Mission Marki Tihhonova-Kreek had a chance to thank the Choir after the concert for the wonderful experience.
On the occasion of International Day of Music Estonian violinist Mari-Liis Uibo gave two concerts in Annapolis: one at the State House and the other at Ginger Cove retirement home. #muusikapaev
Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand's video message to Estonian expatriates on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Estonia.
Happy re-independence day!
We had the pleasure of hosting the Youth Choir of Tallinn Music High School today.
Thank you for your lovely musical gift-- Pärt Uusberg's "Music".
Big thank you also to World Artist Experiencesfor organizing!
Today Ambassador Eerik Marmei hosted at his residence 5th graders from Garrison Elementary School-- our Embassy's this year's partner class within the framework of the Embassy Adoption program (http://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/education/kids/embassy/index.aspx).
During the year the Embassy introduced Estonia to the class, and now at the Final Meeting the children surprised us with a perfect performance of Kaera-Jaan. Thank you, Märt Agu, for introducing Estonian folk dances to our partner class!
Estonian folk dance group Pillerkaar - Washington, DC performing at the Embassy of Estonia at EU Open House! #EUopenhouse #euopenhouse2016
Why learn Estonian? Here students from the University of Washington, who are studying Estonian explain why they chose this language and reveal their favorite phrase.
