News

The Baltic American Freedom League invites you to attend its conference "The Future of US-Baltic Security, Trade, and Prosperity" at the Latvian Community Center on Saturday, May 3 in Los Angeles. Guests include the former president of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Virtual passes also available for those of us outside the LA area - purchase by April 30 at the link: https://bafl.com/conference2025/

Saturday, February 22 at 4 PM

Latvian Hall, 425 Hoffman Ave., San Francisco

Tickets at the link

FEATURED GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Anna-Maria Osula, cyber and economic counselor to the Estonian Embassy in Washington. In remarks titled “Tech Talk: perspectives on Estonian innovation in cyber security and AI,” Dr. Osula will touch on opportunities and risks in the newest technologies, as well as on the current geopolitical environment, and on Estonian Embassy operations, post-closure of the consulates this past year.

SILENT AUCTION: Estonian artist and architect Raul Paabo drew his inspiration from California landscapes for over 50 years, beginning with trips to the High Sierra in the 1950s and 1960s. The Estonian Society is honored to present a silent auction of 15 of his exquisite watercolors and acrylics, that reflect the natural beauty of our state and its beloved places. Raul said of his work, “My paintings reflect freedom of form without being tied down to a preconceived idea and subject.” Look for an auction preview soon!

VIOLINIST HAINS TOOMING will provide musical entertainment with a selection of Estonian folk tunes. THE SAN FRANCISCO ESTONIAN COMMUNITY CHOIR, newly accepted to this summer’s Laulupidu in Tallinn, will perform pieces they are preparing for the song festival.

Reception follows - join us for appetizers to please Estonian tastes, a champagne toast, and socializing.

TICKETS - SUGGESTED DONATION

$35 in advance /$40 at the door (suggested donation). Suggested price rises on 2/21. Under 18 free.

This year, all tickets include individual membership to the Estonian Society for the year of 2025. We thank you for your support!

Christmas time is almost here - come enjoy a taste of Baltic holiday traditions at the San Francisco Baltic Christmas Fair, and support our local communities! Free admission to the marketplace all day. Hot food and drink available.

• Makers, sellers, and artisans from the local Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian communities offer a variety of gifts for the people on your list. Whether modern, traditional, or folk-inspired -- you will find it among the jams and preserves, organic skincare from Estonia, Baltic-style breads and baked goods, Baltic amber, locally produced honey, beach glass jewelry, handmade cards and prints, handmade dolls and stuffed animals, tree ornaments and other holiday decor, embroidered textiles and clothing, table linens, rugs, handmade bags, wool socks and other handmade accessories, precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry, Baltic books and CDs, handbuilt ceramics, and Christmas chocolates, handmade soaps, wax melts, room fragrances, and bath soaks. And maybe a surprise or two!

• Activities: Enjoy a choir performance from the San Francisco Estonian Choir at 11:00 AM! Kids of all ages, meet and take pictures with Santa. A raffle with free entry for all attendees will be held throughout the day.

• Vendors - all vendor spots are full! To be notified of any openings, join the waitlist by filling out the form here: https://forms.gle/tUSDCucSi5GtsEHs6

• Volunteers and organizers - we need you! Sign up and fill all the slots at the link: https://docs.google.com/.../1Lce7jOwFVpS_Uh.../edit...

• Masks are welcome, especially in the marketplace area. If you are experiencing COVID or flu symptoms, please stay home to recover. Let's all look out for our community, and have a successful and safe event.

• Coming by public transit? The Latvian Hall is accessible via the MUNI 48 line, which runs frequently on the weekend and has a stop very near the Latvian Hall (Clipper & Douglass). Parking can be a challenge in the area -- carpooling is encouraged.

The Baltic Christmas Fair is a joint event by the San Francisco Estonian Society, Northern California Latvian Association, and the San Francisco Lithuanian-American Community. Fair proceeds support Baltic community activities in the Bay Area. No pets please (service animals excepted).

The Estonian Society annual meeting (aastakoosolek) will be held in person next week at the Latvian Hall in San Francisco.

Where: Latvian Hall, 425 Hoffman Ave, San Francisco

When: Saturday, September 28 at 12:30 PM

Join us for snacks and coffee starting around noon, and we'll plan for the upcoming year. All are welcome! (If you can’t make the meeting but want to offer your ideas, skills, or help, please get in touch ahead of time.)

Want to practice your Estonian or meet other Estonian language enthusiasts? Come to our first Keelekohvik on Sunday, September 29!

Where: deYoung Cafe (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco)

When: Sunday, September 29 at 10:30 AM

All ages and levels are welcome. Whether you are a member of the keelering, an alum, or someone looking for a chance to speak Estonian, we’d love for you to join us!

Baltic Picnic is just a month away! Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 2, for our annual cross-community potluck at Coyote Point in San Mateo! More info and tickets at the links: Facebook and Square ticket link

Tickets $10/$15 (price increases after May 31). Children 16 and under free!

The Consulate General of Estonia invites you to a special evening to celebrate freedom, innovation, community and creativity. Learn more about Estonia's digital society and opportunities for closer ties with the Bay Area. This event takes place on Wednesday, February 21 at the Arrillaga Alumni Center at Stanford University.

Please RSVP by February 12 on Eventbrite. For invitation questions, please contact sanfranciscoeestiselts@gmail.com.

The event is co-hosted with the San Francisco Estonian Society and Korp! Vironia USA Chapter. Special thanks to Stanford University Libraries.

We are grateful to welcome the talented Kristjan Randalu for a concert of solo piano. Born in Estonia, Kristjan Randalu is among the most sought-after piano players of his generation, carrying the torch in both the improvised world of jazz and the traditional realm of classical music. With a discography of over 50 albums and a Grammy-nominated recording under his belt and numerous awards to his name (including “Jazz Artist of the Year” and “Jazz Composer of the year” in Estonia), Randalu’s unique voice is becoming internationally more and more recognized.

The event is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU 

Come enjoy a taste of Baltic holiday traditions at the San Francisco Baltic Christmas Fair and support our local communities. Free admission to the marketplace all day. Hot food and drink available all day.

• Makers, sellers, and artisans from the local Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian communities offer a variety of gifts for the people on your list. Whether modern, traditional, or folk-inspired -- you will find it among the jams and preserves, Baltic-style breads and cakes, locally produced honey, traditional straw ornaments, beach glass jewelry, handmade dolls, prints, embroidered textiles and clothing, wool socks, handmade accessories, ceramics, Baltic books, clay sculpture, holiday decorations, handmade cards, and Christmas chocolates. And maybe a surprise or two!

• Activities: meet and take pictures with Santa. Raffle will be held throughout the day (free entry for all attendees), as well as kids' craft activity.

• Volunteers and organizers - we need you! Sign up and fill all the slots at the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA4A92DA0FECF8-45295278-baltic

• Masks are welcome and encouraged in the marketplace area. If you are experiencing COVID or flu symptoms, please stay home to recover. Let's all look out for our community, and have a successful and safe event.

• Coming by public transit? The Latvian Hall is accessible via the MUNI 48 line, which runs frequently on the weekend and has a stop very near the Latvian Hall. Parking can be a challenge in the area -- carpooling is encouraged.

The Baltic Christmas Fair is a joint event by the San Francisco Estonian Society, Northern California Latvian Association, and the San Francisco Lithuanian-American Community. Fair proceeds support Baltic community activities in the Bay Area.

Read our Bay Area and west coast response to the recently announced planned closure of Estonia's consulates in the US.