Over 40 Nordic and Baltic artists transformed the Estonian House into a living, breathing expression of identity, heritage, and hope. For the first time, artists and audiences from across eight nations came together under one roof to share stories, sounds, and traditions in perfect harmony. From immersive forest installations to a soaring concert finale, the evening brought the entire diaspora together like never before. It wasn’t just a performance—it was a deeply felt reunion, and a turning point in the cultural presence of Nordic and Baltic voices in New York.

In the windswept Baltic isles of Estonia, a young girl learned skincare secrets passed down through generations. Decades later, that girl – Eha Urbsalu – is a New York City entrepreneur bottling those very Viking beauty secrets for the world. With an international career spanning beauty pageants, fashion runways, and even Hollywood film sets, Urbsalu has never lost sight of her Estonian heritage. Today, as the founder of Viking Beauty Secrets, she blends the natural wisdom of her homeland with modern, organic skincare innovation. Her story is one of cultural pride, female entrepreneurial grit, and a mission to prove that clean, sustainable beauty rooted in tradition can captivate a global audience.

From forging cross-continental collaborations to turning street culture into sold-out product designs, New York City offers a level of opportunity you won’t find anywhere else. But in a place where ideas fly faster than cabs, simply “showing up” won’t cut it—you need authenticity, boldness, and a relentless drive. Here, eight seasoned professionals reveal what truly sets NYC apart and how emerging artists can stand out in the world’s most competitive creative hub.

A Journey from Estonian Roots to International Acclaim - Kristi Roosmaa, an award-winning actress, singer, and producer, has carved a distinguished path from her early days in Estonia to the vibrant stages of New York City. Her multifaceted career is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the arts and her ability to seamlessly blend cultural heritage with contemporary performance.

From candid voice notes to immersive escape-room launches, these marketers threw the rulebook out the window—and it paid off big. Each approach proves that true breakthroughs often happen when you’re unafraid to try something fresh and unexpected. Get ready for a dose of inspiration that could spark your next major success story.

Simona Smirnova has carved a unique niche in New York’s music scene by blending Baltic folklore with boundary-pushing jazz. A Lithuanian-born vocalist, composer, and virtuoso kanklės player (the Lithuanian zither), Smirnova is celebrated as a global ambassador of her nation’s indigenous instrument.

Alo Neil Molder is an Estonian graphic designer recognized for modernizing and preserving the visual identity of key Estonian cultural institutions in the United States. Since the late 1990s, Molder has used his artistic expertise to support Estonian diaspora organizations, volunteering his design skills to centers like the NEW YORK ESTONIAN HOUSE and the CHICAGO ESTONIAN HOUSE.

In the ever-expanding digital realm, creative professionals have more opportunities than ever to showcase their work and connect with a global audience. But in a crowded landscape, authenticity becomes the key to truly resonating with followers, clients, and collaborators. How can creatives build a personal brand that not only highlights their skill set but also reflects their real selves?

‍Creative professionals in New York City and beyond are discovering that talent alone is not enough – success in today’s arts landscape also demands a savvy digital strategy. In an era where Broadway dancers livestream rehearsals, musicians drop AI-augmented tracks online, and visual artists sell works via Instagram, the intersection of artistry and technology has become the new arena for career growth.

As New York City hosts the Estonian Cultural Days on April 4–6, 2025, it’s a fitting time to celebrate the remarkable history and legacy of the city’s Estonian community. From the earliest Estonian settlers in colonial times to the thriving cultural scene of today, Estonian New Yorkers have nurtured a rich heritage.

In a recent Forbes Technology Council article, Ashutosh Synghal—VP of Engineering at Midcentury Labs—made a bold assertion: the future of artificial intelligence depends on data marketplaces. “The rise of data marketplaces signals a fundamental shift in how businesses approach data ownership, exchange and monetization,” Synghal writes.

On a windswept Baltic island in 2022, locals gathered at a medieval castle to honor Louis Kahn – a native of Saaremaa, Estonia, who became one of the twentieth century’s most influential architects. It was at Kuressaare Castle, looming large in Kahn’s early childhood, that his imagination was sparked; fittingly, the final design of his life stands on another island half a world away, at New York’s Roosevelt Island.