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.

Eero Saarinen’s TWA Flight Center soared from a Finnish-American vision to an enduring New York landmark. This piece shows how a modest Nordic community shaped a celebrated piece of design history and left a lasting mark on the city’s architecture.

Vytenis Jankūnas transforms the bustle of city streets into thought-provoking art. Born in Lithuania and now based in New York, he is known for contemporary conceptual works that explore urban life, perception, and photography.

A mystical forest, ancient legends, and a dash of Broadway showmanship – Kalevala the Musical is a theatrical experience like no other. This emerging production reimagines Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala, as a contemporary musical, complete with sweeping songs and fantastical storytelling.

With an acoustic guitar in hand and a story to tell, Ida Metsberg creates music that resonates with honesty and heart. This Finnish singer-songwriter, now based in New York, merges the confessional style of contemporary pop with the rich narratives of folk music.

The Scandinavian American Theatre Company (SATC) is a New York–based theater troupe dedicated to presenting plays and perspectives from across the Nordic region. Founded in 2009 by a group of Scandinavian artists, this non-profit ensemble strives to introduce American audiences to the lively world of Scandinavian drama.

Sonja Hovik Brendås is a Norwegian dancer who seamlessly transitions between contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet. She focuses on channeling strong emotions through movement and has honed her craft as a dance major at Marymount Manhattan College. Her technique, paired with her flair for creative expression, sets her apart in New York’s competitive dance community.

Thelma Sigurhansdóttir, also known as Thelma Gella, is an Icelandic visual artist whose work bridges the gap between reality and imagination. Primarily a painter, she constructs vivid narratives that invite viewers to see beyond the surface, blending clarity with dreamlike elements. Her art sparks both curiosity and introspection, offering a glimpse into the unknown.

Arta Jēkabsone is a Latvian vocalist and composer whose warm tone and inventive spirit have earned her a place among today’s leading jazz voices. She has been recognized with top honors at international competitions, including the Montreux Shure Jazz Voice Competition, and she added a third-place finish at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Voice Competition to her growing list of achievements.

Oskar Stenmark is a Swedish trumpet and flugelhorn player hailed for merging centuries-old folk melodies with the pulse of contemporary jazz.