The Sydney Estonian House was alive with music, colour and conversation on Sunday, 17 August 2025, when around 70 people gathered to celebrate Estonia’s 34th anniversary of restored independence.
This was the first of the Estonian Australian community events held across the country this week to mark a milestone that changed history. On 20 August 1991, Estonia regained its freedom — and in Sydney, this was remembered with song, dance and the joy of being together.
The afternoon program was a beautiful showcase of Estonian culture.
- The Kooskõlas choir filled the hall with singing.
- The Virmalised and Rukkililled folk dancers stepped out in rhythm and tradition.
- A special instrumental concert brought together piano solos, cello and the gentle sounds of kannel, Estonia’s national instrument.
Music and movement gave the celebration its heartbeat — and reminded everyone that independence is carried not just in history books, but in voices, instruments and dance steps on the stage. We are living history.
While Sydney hosted, it wasn’t just Sydney’s day. Guests travelled from Melbourne and Canberra, showing once again that these celebrations are shared across the Australian Estonian community. Everyone is welcome.
After the formalities, the Estonian House was buzzing. Cups of coffee in hand, people gathered around plates of cinnamon buns, sampled Estonian sweets, and mingled. Echoes of music and conversation filled the rooms — it just felt right to everyone present.
Ave Nukki, President of the Estonian Society of Sydney, spoke of what this day means to the community, even from the other side of the world:
“Even here in faraway Sydney, we feel the deep meaning of this day. Though Estonia is thousands of kilometres away, it lives in us — in our language, songs, dances, and in our hearts.”
Happy Re-Independence Day!
Read the full speech by Ave in Estonian and in English below.
RE-INDEPENDENCE DAY GREETING
DEAR ESTONIANS IN SYDNEY,
Today is a special day. Today, we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence. This is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of courage, hope, and belief — a shared dream of freedom for which our people stood, sang, and quietly trusted would one day return.
34 years ago, a miracle happened. Without weapons, in peace, the Estonian people showed the world that even the darkest times can come to an end when there is unity in our hearts and faith in a better tomorrow.
Even here in faraway Sydney, we feel the deep meaning of this day. Though Estonia is thousands of kilometres away, it lives in us — in our language, songs, dances, and in our hearts. We are not just Estonians living in Australia — we are also ambassadors of Estonia on this distant continent.
Today, we remember those who stood for freedom, and we thank all who have kept our language, culture, and community alive here in Australia over the years.
The strength of our ancestors and the future of our children meet on days like this — when we come together to celebrate, to remember, and to stand side by side.
A heartfelt thank you to all the performers, organisers, and helpers who brought this day to life — and who stayed behind to help tidy up. Your contribution means the world. Thank you, dear community.
And of course — thank you to all of you who came today to be part of this celebration. Your presence keeps our sense of belonging alive and gives meaning to everything we do.
And now, we kindly ask you to please rise for the Estonian National Anthem. After the anthem, everyone is warmly invited to join us for coffee and cake. Let’s continue this day in good spirit and great company.
Long live Estonia!
Long live our community!
With heartfelt thanks,
Ave Nukki
President, Estonian Society of Sydney
20 August 2025
TAASISESEISVUSPÄEVA TERVITUS
TERE, ARMSAD EESTLASED SYDNEYS!
Täna tähistame midagi erakordset – Eesti Vabariigi taasiseseisvumise 34. aastapäeva. See päev ei ole pelgalt üks kuupäev kalendris – see on meeldetuletus julgusest, lootusest ja ühisest unistusest, mille nimel meie rahvas seisis, laulis ja vaikides uskus, et vabadus tuleb
tagasi.
34 aastat tagasi sündis ime. Eesti rahvas – relvitu ja rahumeelne – näitas maailmale, et ka kõige pimedam aeg võib lõppeda, kui südames on kindel usk ja rahval üksmeel. See on ime, mida meie, kes elame teisel pool maailma, kanname uhkusega oma südames.
Kuigi meie kodumaa asub siit tuhandete kilomeetrite kaugusel, ei ole see kunagi vähendanud meie armastust Eesti vastu. Meie keel, laulud, tantsud ja traditsioonid elavad edasi ka siin, Sydney päikese all – sest me hoiame neid elus. Me ei ole mitte ainult eestlased Austraalias, vaid Eesti saadikud siin kaugel mandril.
Täna meenutame neid, kes seisid vabaduse eest, ja täname neid, kes on aastate jooksul hoidnud elus meie kultuuri, keelt ja kogukonda siinpool maakera. Meie esivanemate tugevus ja meie laste tulevik kohtuvad just sellistel päevadel – kui koguneme, et tähistada, mäletada ja
olla koos.
Sügav kummardus ja tänu kõigile esinejatele, korraldajatele ja abilistele, kes aitasid selle päeva üles ehitada, läbi viia ning ka hiljem kõik taas korda seada. Aitäh, armas kogukond – teieta poleks see võimalik.
Olgu tänane päev täis rõõmu, uhkust ja tänulikkust. Ja ärgem unustagem, et igaüks meist – ükskõik kus me elame – kannab Eestit endas: oma tegudes, sõnades ja südames.
Elagu Eesti!
Elagu meie kogukond!
Südamlikult ja tänutundega,
Ave Nukki
President, Sydney Eesti Selts
20 August 2025
Read more
Hands joined, voices loud: Celebrating Estonia’s Re-Independence | HEIA
Speech: Happy Re-Independence Day from AESL | HEIA
Acknowledgement
We say a big thank you to Ave Nukki and Esmée Okamoto for information and photos used in this article.
