{"id":73162,"date":"2026-06-30T13:26:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T10:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fennougria.ee\/?p=73162"},"modified":"2026-06-30T13:26:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T10:26:46","slug":"visit-at-chicago-estonian-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fennougria.ee\/en\/visit-at-chicago-estonian-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit at Chicago Estonian House"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the Juhannus celebrations in Hancock<\/a>, Fenno-Ugria and Sukukansojen yst\u00e4v\u00e4t visited the Chicago Estonian House on 23 June. <\/p>

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Photos: Patrick O’Rourke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The visitors were hosted by Reet N\u00f5mm<\/strong>, 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. <\/p>

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Concert hall. Photo: Aleksi Palokangas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Library. Photo: Barbi Pilvre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Barbi Pilvre, director of Fenno-Ugria. Photo: Patrick O’Rourke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Photo: Patrick O’Rourke.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>

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.<\/p>

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Photo: Patrick O’Rourke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Janno Z\u00f5bin and Patrick O’Rourke (left and centre, Fenno-Ugria), Aleksi Palokangas (rightSukukansojen yst\u00e4v\u00e4t) Photo: Barbi Pilvre.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>

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 jaanip\u00e4ev earlier in the month. Reet N\u00f5mm also played some Estonian summer songs on the accordion for us.<\/p>

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Reet N\u00f5mm. Photo: Patrick O’Rourke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

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.<\/p>

Fenno-Ugria thanks the Chicago Estonian House for a welcome reception and wishes success in future endeavours! <\/p>

The Chicago Estonian House<\/h3>

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.<\/p>

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