The wait is almost over. From August 20th to 23rd, KESKfEST transforms Toronto into a vibrant, northern European cultural campus. We are in the homestretch—our veidi veel—of building KESKUS, our permanent global landmark, together.
For your insider’s guide to Day 1, read here. Now, read on for your roadmap for Day 2 where it’s all about connection, creativity, and looking toward the future. Keep an eye on KESKUS social feeds, and Eesti Elu / Estonian Life is also capturing the action on their featured page here.
Friday August 21
Nordic Connect Conference (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM): This isn’t your standard industry mixer. We are bridging the gap between Toronto and Tallinn’s music and cultural scenes. This event brings together artists, festivals, and music professionals for structured B2B networking!
- Pro-tip: Even if you aren't an industry professional, the keynote panel is free and open to the public. It’s the perfect way to get a pulse on the future of Nordic-Baltic cultural collaboration. Pre-registration here.
Upcycling workshop: “Denim Reborn” (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Join sustainable fashion visionaries Reet Aus and Eva-Karlotta Tatar for a hands-on session that is equal parts eco-activism and creative fun. Transform old jeans—teksad—into your very own tote bag with a leather handle, while exploring the complexities of upcycling and the pressing issue of textile waste. Please bring a few pairs of your denim jeans from the back of the drawer that are just not getting the love, and give them new purpose in life or pick from the pile. You and your chic new-old tote will rock KESKfEST! Tickets here.
Mid-day:
Architecture luncheon (12:30 pm – 2pm):
Urban belonging: Designing the places we call home: Join us for an exclusive architectural conversation featuring Alar Kongats (the visionary of KESKUS), Tõnis Arjus (Estonia’s first State Architect), moderated by Elsa Lam (Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Architect).
Together, they will explore how thoughtful urban design fosters identity, community, and belonging—and how KESKUS bridges national aspiration with municipal strategy and execution.
When KESKUS stepped forward to kick off the city's Bloor Corridor Visioning Study, it became a profound gift back to Toronto—a tangible thank-you from an Estonian diaspora that has flourished in North America. By establishing a charming, through-block connection from Spadina subway station to St. George, KESKUS changes how we experience the neighbourhood, offering a lively shortcut for the daily pedestrian and a pathway of discovery for the visitor.
Be part of this vital dialogue on what KESKUS means for the future of this city. Discover the story behind the map-of-Estonia courtyard and the 8,000-square-foot green roof, and hear directly from city-builders on why these design choices matter for a diaspora community and for Toronto’s evolving urban landscape. Tickets here.
Walking tours Thurs/Fri/Sat (3:00 – 4:30 PM): Join your host Christina Prozes on the first of three walking tours of the KESKUS area known as The Annex, a neighbourhood named one of the “Top 40 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World” by Time Out Magazine. Explore this historic enclave, known for its flamboyant late-1880s Victorian mansions and the unique, space-age sculptural towers of Estonian architect Uno Prii. From the 400-year-old Bur Oak to local urban legends, this tour is the perfect way to orient yourself. Please wear comfortable shoes as we’ll cover plenty of ground! Tickets here.
Evening:
Film screening (5:00 PM – 6:30 PM): Mis värvi on paradiis? (What colour is paradise?) – Join us for the North American premiere of this powerful film by Sören Tali & Mare Kallas, and an in-person audience Q&A with producer Mare Kallas. In September 1944, 16-year-old Elmar Suurpere and schoolmates were forced into a foreign army, and seized an opportunity to flee to Sweden in search of safety. Instead, they got betrayal: Sweden extradited seven of these young men to Soviet labour camps, shattering all illusions of security. This betrayal alters their destinies and triggers a wave of further migration, driving thousands of Estonians to pick up and cross the ocean to North America in fear of the Soviet Union’s reach. Spanning half a century, this moving story reveals the catastrophic ripple effects of geopolitical decisions through one man’s long, unforgettable journey toward forgiveness. Tickets here.
ac! Org cantusõhtu (6:30 PM – 11:00 PM will wrap up by 11:00 PM for salakõrts) at Tartu College: Join your korpid and seltsid from all over the world for an evening of song and tradition. This unique gathering of Estonian academic organizations is a night to honour historical memory, celebrate lifelong friendships, and reconnect. This event is strictly for members of Estonian academic organizations – vivat!. Tickets here.
Noortemöll / NextGen Party (8:30 PM –11:00 PM) at KESKfEST Tent: Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and lively conversations that keeps the celebration going late into the night!
The party kicks off beneath the KESKfEST festival tent with an electrifying pop-funk performance from Estonia’s own Arg Part, plenty of dancing, and a chance to connect with friends old and new. Check them out here! At the show, you’ll also have exclusive access to register for the beer pong tournament, which will take place later in the evening, at Salakõrts (speakeasy). Sign up with your partner!
For those 19+, your concert ticket includes admission to Salakõrts. Tickets here.
Salakõrts (Speakeasy) – Soovilood / Requests Night (11:00 PM – LATE) at Tartu College:
After the show, we’ll head across the street, when the celebration moves to Tartu College for an after-hours party where the beer pong tournament and more dancing await. The DJ will be setting the scene with a blend of your requests and the Estonian diaspora classics that we all know and love! Tickets here.
Feeling competitive? The beer pong tournament will be taking place at Salakõrts; Grab your partner and practice your aim! Registration for the tournament will be open at the KESKfEST Festival Tent during the Arg Part show, on a first come first served basis. Sign up as a duo for $10.
Can’t make it to Arg Part, but still want to join the party at Salakõrts? You can come straight to the late-night festivities. Tickets here.
Meet your festival guides
We’ve been teasing some of their videos on our social media as we lead up to KESKfEST. Throughout the festival, keep an eye out for our helpful Youth Delegates, a global group of emerging leaders who are here to welcome visitors and help you navigate the festival. We encourage you to strike up a conversation with them to hear their stories. To meet the full squad, click here to learn more about our delegates.
Head to www.estoniancentre.ca/keskfest to secure your spot for the festival’s events and read up on more details. Kohtusmisteni! See you there!
