Welcome, friends of Estonia!
Whether you have an affinity with Estonia’s tech culture and cool new-Nordic vibes, or its rich and vibrant heritage song and dance traditions, the West Coast Estonian Days welcomes you! Check out these accessible events.
Estonian Film @ BAMPFA
Thursday, June 25 // 7 PM
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
The beautiful Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive on the UC Berkeley campus will host a screening of two contemporary Estonian films.
Pikad paberid (“Rolling Papers,” 2024) is an Estonian comedy-drama film about Sebastian, an unhappy young man who works in a small shop in Tallinn. His routine life changes when he meets Silo, a hedonist and a dreamer. Starring Mihkel Kuusk, Karl Birnbaum, Maria Helena Seppik, and Edgar Vunš, the film from director Meel Paliale was Estonia’s entry for Best International Film at the 98th Academy Awards. 98 minutes.
“Winter in March” (2025) is an acclaimed animated short film that took 3rd prize LA CINEF at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025. In this joint Estonian-Armenian-French production, a young couple leaves their home in the face of a repressive state - an escape that turns into a surrealist nightmare. 16 minutes.
Friday, June 26 // 8:45 AM - 1 PM
Grand Hyatt Union Square
A tech-heavy half-day focusing on the Agentic AI shift and implications for those building and backing companies now. AI is shifting from assistant tools to agents that complete long-running tasks in the background, rewriting how startups are built, scaled, and funded.
Startup founders and tech leaders from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine come together with US VCs and angel investors for a keynote, panel, startup pitches, and networking.
Come see why founders shaped by small, resource-constrained markets may be uniquely positioned for this Agentic AI shift.
Friday, June 26 // 1 - 4:30 PM
Grand Hyatt Union Square
Estonia and the Baltic region sit on the geopolitical frontline of contemporary hybrid threats -- forced to think seriously about how to sustain a democratic society in the age of AI -- and offers a unique environment for examining what is already being done and what may still be needed. With its entrepreneurial culture and proven tech leadership, Estonia and the broader Baltic, can be a place of experimentation and learning, with scale-able lessons.
Come and be part of a unique and exciting afternoon that explores how we can cultivate resilience by strengthening democratic culture in this coming age of AI. The session will convene experts to share and discuss perspectives and will invite your participation.
The series of afternoon panels will explore interconnected questions, such as how to cultivate information resilience in an age of disinformation; how to integrate AI into education without undermining learning and human development; how to deploy AI within the state, while preserving trust and accountability; and how to strengthen societal level preparedness against all manner of threat and disruption.
Saturday, June 27 // 12 - 7 PM
Campus of Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church
Celebrate Estonian song and dance traditions the way it should be done - outside! Our own laulu- and tantsupidu takes place in Marin County, at a location with a European village feel and gorgeous views. Participating choirs include Noorus Segakoor, members of the Rotalia Meeskoor, and singers from the West Coast cities and Baltimore-D.C., led by Heather MacLaughlin Garbes and Crista Berryessa. We’ll celebrate Jaanipäev with cultural workshops, games, Midsummer Market, activities for the whole family, and the company of friends.
Performances by West Coast combined dancers, led by Liina Teose.
Seminars and folk workshops led by Kairi Leivo (of Naised Köögis), Kristi Roosmaa (appearing as Eesti Haldjas), Piiskop Ove Sander, and Segakoor Noorus.
Tickets available. Includes catered meal. (Also included in Festival Pass.)
Estonian Pop Up Concert @ Union Square
Sunday, June 28 // 3 - 4 PM
Union Square
Let Estonian song and folk music resonate in the city with a pop up performance at Union Square! Everyone is welcome.