In The Northern Voices, we often highlight artists who bridge their Nordic heritage with bold creativity, and Finnish songstress Camilla Bäckman exemplifies that spirit. Born in Helsinki and now making waves in the United States, Bäckman has carved an extraordinary path from classical violinist to multifaceted performer. She was a standout on The Voice of Finland and even became the first Finnish singer to join Cirque du Soleil’s ranks, before blossoming as a singer-songwriter with her own original music.

As Russia intensifies its hybrid pressure on Europe, Estonia and Latvia—two of NATO’s smallest members—find themselves once again on the front line of history. Decades after regaining independence from Soviet rule, both nations are confronting a new wave of influence from Moscow, targeting their sizable Russian-speaking populations through propaganda, cyberattacks, and political manipulation. In response, Tallinn and Riga are tightening language laws, curbing Kremlin-linked organizations, and reinforcing social unity as a matter of national survival. For Estonians and Latvians abroad, especially in North America, these developments are more than headlines—they’re reminders of why their parents fled, and why safeguarding their homelands remains a shared mission across oceans.

The term “Baltic countries” today commonly refers to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, three small nations on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. This usage emerged only in the 20th century. Before World War I, the idea of a unified “Baltic” group of nations did not really exist – Estonia and Latvia were known as the Baltic Provinces of the Russian Empire, while Lithuania was often grouped with Poland. After World War I, however, a cluster of newly independent states formed on the Baltic Sea’s eastern shore. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – all gaining independence around 1917–1918 – were initially all considered “Baltic states” in the interwar period.

The national flags of Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark all feature the characteristic off-center “Nordic cross.” The offset cross design (symbolizing Christianity) traces back to Denmark. Legend holds that Denmark’s Dannebrog (red with white cross) fell from the sky during the 1219 Battle of Lindanise (in present-day Tallinn, Estonia), securing victory for King Valdemar II.