In the windswept Baltic isles of Estonia, a young girl learned skincare secrets passed down through generations. Decades later, that girl – Eha Urbsalu – is a New York City entrepreneur bottling those very Viking beauty secrets for the world. With an international career spanning beauty pageants, fashion runways, and even Hollywood film sets, Urbsalu has never lost sight of her Estonian heritage. Today, as the founder of Viking Beauty Secrets, she blends the natural wisdom of her homeland with modern, organic skincare innovation. Her story is one of cultural pride, female entrepreneurial grit, and a mission to prove that clean, sustainable beauty rooted in tradition can captivate a global audience.

A Journey from Estonian Roots to International Acclaim - Kristi Roosmaa, an award-winning actress, singer, and producer, has carved a distinguished path from her early days in Estonia to the vibrant stages of New York City. Her multifaceted career is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the arts and her ability to seamlessly blend cultural heritage with contemporary performance.

Alo Neil Molder is an Estonian graphic designer recognized for modernizing and preserving the visual identity of key Estonian cultural institutions in the United States. Since the late 1990s, Molder has used his artistic expertise to support Estonian diaspora organizations, volunteering his design skills to centers like the NEW YORK ESTONIAN HOUSE and the CHICAGO ESTONIAN HOUSE.

Simona Smirnova has carved a unique niche in New York’s music scene by blending Baltic folklore with boundary-pushing jazz. A Lithuanian-born vocalist, composer, and virtuoso kanklės player (the Lithuanian zither), Smirnova is celebrated as a global ambassador of her nation’s indigenous instrument.

As New York City hosts the Estonian Cultural Days on April 4–6, 2025, it’s a fitting time to celebrate the remarkable history and legacy of the city’s Estonian community. From the earliest Estonian settlers in colonial times to the thriving cultural scene of today, Estonian New Yorkers have nurtured a rich heritage.

On a windswept Baltic island in 2022, locals gathered at a medieval castle to honor Louis Kahn – a native of Saaremaa, Estonia, who became one of the twentieth century’s most influential architects. It was at Kuressaare Castle, looming large in Kahn’s early childhood, that his imagination was sparked; fittingly, the final design of his life stands on another island half a world away, at New York’s Roosevelt Island.

Vytenis Jankūnas transforms the bustle of city streets into thought-provoking art. Born in Lithuania and now based in New York, he is known for contemporary conceptual works that explore urban life, perception, and photography.

Riivo Kruuk is an Estonian visual artist known for creating works that combine Baltic folklore with striking modern compositions. Despite his young age, he has already built an international following, showcasing framed digital prints and large-scale murals that capture the spirit of his Eastern European roots.

Arta Jēkabsone is a Latvian vocalist and composer whose warm tone and inventive spirit have earned her a place among today’s leading jazz voices. She has been recognized with top honors at international competitions, including the Montreux Shure Jazz Voice Competition, and she added a third-place finish at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Voice Competition to her growing list of achievements.

Immersive Earth Day Showcase by the Nordic Artists of New York Organization Highlights Nordic & Baltic Creativity in New York City