The youth-focused events are financially supported by the Estonian Central Council in Canada, and preparations involve Canadian members of the Global Estonian Youth Network. A big thank you to all involved! Below is a closer look at the events designed for young people:
On Friday, January 30th at 7:00 p.m., the feature film Rolling Papers (2024, Tallifornia), directed by Meel Paliale, will be screened in the Tartu College hall. The film has been extremely popular among Estonian youth, as its protagonists are also engaged in a search for self—shaped on one hand by uncertainty about the future, and on the other by a desire to live a meaningful life. How easy or difficult is that? Come and find out for yourself. Those whose most youthful days are in the past are also warmly invited. An additional draw is the fact that the film has been submitted as a candidate for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2026.
Before the screening, we will have a Zoom conversation with film director Meel Paliale. After the film, there will be an opportunity to exchange thoughts to the mellow beats of a DJ. A cash bar will be open. The film is in Estonian with English subtitles. Admission is free for youth and young adults up to age 30; tickets for others are $15.
The film also serves as a warm-up for the youth career workshop taking place on Saturday, January 31st from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., titled “Navigating Careers in an Uncertain World: Four Career Traps and How to Move Forward.” The workshop will be led by career coach and supervisor Merit Luik from Estonia, who introduces the training as follows:
We grow up hearing that if we make the right choices, work hard, and stay positive, our careers will fall neatly into place. Reality is messier. Doubt appears, motivation drops, success feels distant, and confidence often fades when we need it most.
At the same time, building a career today is very different from a generation ago. Rapid change, unstable job markets, blurred career paths, and constant comparison create pressure to move fast and “get it right” early on. Uncertainty is no longer an exception, but the norm.
This workshop is for young adults who want a more honest, human, and sustainable way to think about their career. Rather than promising clarity or certainty, it offers a realistic and empowering approach suited to a world that values flexibility, resilience, and ongoing learning over linear plans.
In the workshop participants will explore four common career traps that quietly shape decisions and self-beliefs:
- The Happiness Trap
- The Success Trap
- The Confidence Trap
- The Natural Genius Trap
Through short inputs, reflection, discussion, and practical exercises, participants gain tools to keep moving forward, even when the path feels uncertain or unfinished.
Merit Luik is a career coach, supervisor, and trainer who partners with individuals and organizations, helping to create clarity, confidence, and a meaningful working life. She supports young adults and young people in making informed choices, and organizations in enhancing sustainable performance and well-being. As a former teacher and a long-time developer of career education, she contributes to the advancement of career services by combining a systemic perspective with deep, human-centered practice.
Those interested in participating are asked to register for the workshop by January 25th at vemu.ca.
The workshop will be held in English and is intended for participants up to the age of 35 – free of charge for Estonian Canadian youth. The number of places is limited—first come, first served! More information: vemu.ca
It is also possible to book private coaching sessions with Merit Luik on the following dates: February 2-7 (1 hour = $250). We ask those who are interested to contact us at the following address: piret.noorhani@vemu.ca .
Please also note that on Wednesday, February 4, an Estonian-language lecture by Merit Luik will take place in the Tartu College hall, titled “Work as a Blessing or a Burden: How to Shape a Work Life That Supports Well-Being in Today’s Fast-Paced World.” In addition, on Sunday, February 8, a career event aimed at professional Estonian Canadian women will take place. More details will follow in the next issue of Eesti Elu.
