Visit at Chicago Estonian House
On Tuesday, 23 June (Estonian Victory Day, võidupüha), Fenno-Ugria and Sukukansojen ystävät ry visited the Chicago Estonian House as part of the tour in the US.
After the Juhannus celebrations in Hancock, Fenno-Ugria and Sukukansojen ystävät visited the Chicago Estonian House on 23 June.
The visitors were hosted by Reet Nõmm, who gave a tour of the house. The house has a concert hall that can fit 200 guests. In a room to the side, there is a library full of Estonian literature.
Downstairs, the house has a room for band practices and the bar Vana Tallinn. The house has even a sauna, frequented also by Finnish-Americans.
We were also given a tour of the property. The grounds include a place for a bonfire, and indeed the local Estonian community had celebrated jaanipäev earlier in the month. Reet Nõmm also played some Estonian summer songs on the accordion for us.
The Chicago Estonian House is the location to a vibrant cultural activity, especially theatre and pop music. Estonian theatre groups and musicians are regular visitors to the house, providing a strong connection to Estonia. The house could also be a suitable location to celebrate the Kindred Peoples’ Day in the future.
Fenno-Ugria thanks the Chicago Estonian House for a welcome reception and wishes success in future endeavours!
The Chicago Estonian House
Founded in 1964 and constructed between 1970 and 1972, the Chicago Estonian House is a cultural centre that promotes Estonian culture, language and history and serves as a meeting place for people of Estonians heritage and friends of Estonia. In the house, an Estonian School is held twice a month, the Estonian Lutheran Church conducts a monthly service and the library is open every Sunday. Also, Chicago area Finnish organisatsions are members and active at the Estonian House.
