Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ This Friday, October 4, Vikerraadio will premiere a new seven-part series, “Abroad and at Home” (“Kodus ja võõrsil”), which delves into the lives of Estonian families living in Canada and explores how they have maintained their cultural identity abroad. Through these personal stories, the series provides a window into what it means to remain Estonian while living thousands of kilometers from the homeland.
During the Soviet advance in 1944, over 80,000 people fled Estonia, with around 17,000 eventually reaching Canada. Many of these refugees not only built successful careers in their new country but also preserved the Estonian language and traditions. According to the 2021 Canadian census, 23,460 residents identified as being of Estonian origin, with 5,550 still speaking Estonian as their native language.
In “Abroad and at Home,” journalist Ave-Marleen Rei visits seven Canadian-Estonian families, uncovering stories of resilience, cultural preservation, and identity across three generations. “The oldest participant is 98 years old, and the youngest is just 16,” Rei noted, emphasizing the importance of hearing from the second and third generations, who have often been overlooked.
The series will share intimate family histories, exploring how the first generation, forced to flee their homeland, passed down their traditions and language. For their children and grandchildren, maintaining their Estonian identity has been more complex, requiring personal choice and dedication. “For the second and third generations, remaining Estonian required a strong commitment—or sometimes, pressure from their parents,” Rei said.
The first episode features the Kütti family, led by 98-year-old Asko Kütti, who fled Estonia during World War II and built a career in Canada’s construction industry. He dedicated his free time to preserving Estonian culture through scouting and secret exchanges with his parents, who remained in Estonia. The episode will reveal moving anecdotes, such as secret messages sent between family members and precious items smuggled from Estonia hidden inside photo albums.
This series sheds light on the often untold stories of Canadian-Estonians and their unique journey to preserve their heritage, providing a touching reflection on what it means to be Estonian far from home.
