The Lydia: A Sisterhood of Estonian Women Around the Globe

Are you a woman of Estonian heritage interested in connecting with other women who share your cultural roots, family history and interests? 

Join us for a new initiative building a community of Estonian women around the globe, celebrating our stories and cultivating inspiration to craft our own personal Estonian legacy.

“The Lydia” name draws inspiration from Lydia Koidula, the trailblazer of the Estonian national awakening and a pioneer in expressing one’s voice and cultural agency. In her spirit we now create this network to honor the generations of Estonian women before us and tap into that energy to now create our own legacy and draw on this sisterhood of support from other Estonian women.

What is your Estonian story?  

More importantly, how do you envision your Estonian heritage blooming more in your next chapter of life?  

This could be anything from you wanting to explore traditional recipes, crafts and customs to learning or re-learning the language to travel and perhaps even moving back to Estonia. Let’s explore these ideas together as a community of women. 

The Lydia fosters connections between all Estonian women, both women living abroad and those raised and currently living in Estonia and those abroad.  

This is a free to join and exceptionally welcoming network. All ages and generations are welcome. 

There are no requirements or qualifications other than you are a woman of Estonian descent interested in exploring your Estonian heritage and connecting with other women in safe space. 

A special welcome to women who may not currently be that connected to their Estonian roots – or perhaps haven’t been for decades or since childhood but are curious.  This is the space for you. 

The Lydia will be conducted in English – but resources for learning (or refreshing!) Estonian will be provided. 

This 3 July gathering provides an opportunity for women in town for Laulipidu to connect in person.  

If you are not in Estonia for Laulupidu or cannot attend this July 3, please still register (you will see various options on the registration form) so we can keep you posted on future programming, particularly in the virtual space into the fall. 

Questions?  Ideas? 

Lisa Kivirist, The Lydia Coordinator, lisakivirist@gmail.com