From day one, we committed to publishing fresh content daily – and we’ve delivered, with new stories every single day highlighting the people, ideas, and artistry that connect the old world and the new.

“When I started The Northern Voices, I wanted to create more than just a news site,” reflects Valev Laube, the creator of the website. “My vision was to build a cultural bridge – a multimedia beacon that connects continents, preserves heritage, and propels new talent into the spotlight. One story at a time, I've seen that mission come to life.”

Valev Laube at 2024 ONE Screen Short Film Festival in New York City

A Year of Growth and Daily Storytelling

In just twelve months, The Northern Voices has achieved what legacy outlets took decades to build – and more. Our readership surged past 13,000+ active users within the first year, dramatically outpacing many long-running Nordic diaspora publications. This explosive growth speaks to a clear hunger for stories that celebrate Nordic and Baltic voices abroad. Unlike traditional ethnic media that publish weekly or monthly, we embraced a digital-first, daily publishing approach. Often featuring multiple new articles per day, we’ve produced hundreds of original pieces this year covering news, arts, culture, and community events. This consistent output far exceeds traditional ethnic media and keeps readers engaged with fresh, timely content.

Equally important, we expanded the scope of coverage to all eight Nordic and Baltic countries, from Finland to Lithuania. By publishing in English and leveraging strong SEO practices, we’ve become a go-to online source for Nordic/Baltic culture news in the U.S., reaching audiences far beyond the traditional diaspora. And we’ve done it all as a self-funded, independent magazine and podcast – meaning our only agenda is to serve the community. All of this has come true thank you Valev Laube's support financially, creatively, technically and by putting together stories that our community cares about. Every article, interview, and podcast episode is crafted with the passion Laube and a few occasional guest writers share, not large newsrooms. The result is authentic storytelling that resonates deeply with readers and has built tremendous trust.

Spotlighting Talent: Our Top Stories

At the heart of The Northern Voices are the stories of individuals who inspire us. Some of our most-read articles this year profiled rising stars who embody the creative bridge between the Nordic/Baltic region and North America. One standout was “Meet Petra Jasmiina: The New Face of Nordic Artistry in New York,” a profile of Finnish musician Petra Jasmiina Haapamäki. In that piece, Petra – a singer-songwriter who moved to NYC – shares her journey and her work founding the Nordic Artists of New York (NANY) collective to unite and uplift fellow artists. We dubbed her “the new face of Nordic artistry in New York”, and readers responded: Petra’s story of community-building across continents struck a chord, becoming one of our top-performing features.

Another highlight was our exclusive on Arnas Fedaravičius, a Lithuanian actor known from Vikings who made headlines by joining HBO’s hit series The White Lotus. Our article “Lithuanian Actor Arnas Fedaravičius Shines as Valentin in The White Lotus Season 3” chronicled his journey from Vilnius to Hollywood – a milestone for Baltic representation in mainstream entertainment. The piece gained widespread attention and underscored our role in elevating Nordic/Baltic voices onto the global stage.

We also covered community-centric cultural moments, such as the launch of NANY’s flagship event, TRUE NORTH 2025. This unprecedented showcase brought together over 40 Nordic and Baltic artists in New York City for a single spectacular evening. It wasn’t just a performance – it was “a living, breathing expression of identity, heritage, and hope” that united creatives and audiences from across eight nations under one roof. By partnering with grassroots organizations like Nordic Artists of New York, The Northern Voices isn’t just reporting on cultural milestones; we’re helping create and amplify them.

From Grammy-recognized musicians like Estonian bassoon virtuoso Martin Kuuskmann to beloved local talents like Eeppi Ursin and Oskar Stenmark, we’ve shone a light on dozens of artists who deserve the spotlight. Each story — big or small — has contributed to a richer tapestry of “northern” culture in the diaspora. And judging by the engagement we’ve seen, these stories are resonating not only with Nordic and Baltic expats, but with global readers discovering this vibrant cultural scene for the first time.

Additionally, don't forget to revisit these favorite stories of ours:

Bridging Cultures and Changing Lives

Beyond the numbers and headlines, The Northern Voices is proudest of the community impact we’ve had in our inaugural year. Our platform has become a two-way bridge between continents. Readers across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond have found a home in our content — forming a truly transatlantic community bound by curiosity and heritage. Nordic and Baltic expats tell us that our stories make them feel seen and connected; American readers say we’ve opened a window to cultures they previously knew little about. In bringing these audiences together, we’re fulfilling our core mission of cultural exchange.

For the artists we feature, our coverage isn’t just flattering — it’s life-changing. Features in The Northern Voices count as bona fide media coverage that creatives can cite in visa applications (such as the U.S. O-1 artist visa) to demonstrate their achievement and industry recognition. “Every profile we publish can become a stepping stone for a talented individual’s career and life opportunities,” Laube observes, noting that few cultural platforms offer such tangible, real-world value to the people they spotlight. In fact, several artists have told us that being featured on The Northern Voices helped them secure new opportunities — from gallery shows to grants — by spotlighting their work in a credible, English-language outlet.

Our independence and community-driven approach have been key to this impact. As a self-funded outlet not beholden to any government or large media owner, we’ve been able to champion stories purely on merit and passion. We’ve forged partnerships with cultural organizations, chambers of commerce, and embassies to amplify initiatives we believe in, while remaining an unbiased voice. This year saw us collaborate with groups like Nordic Artists of New York to elevate their mission, and we’re in development on new partnerships that will provide mentorship and entrepreneurial knowledge to Nordic/Baltic artists through our platform. The goodwill and trust built in year one have laid a solid foundation for an even more collaborative, impactful year two.

“The Northern Voices isn’t just a media platform — it’s a cultural lifeline for Nordic and Baltic communities in North America, giving voice to stories that would otherwise go untold and creating opportunities that change lives,” says Laube, encapsulating what drives our work.

Looking Ahead: The Journey Continues

As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re also looking to the future with excitement and optimism. Year Two promises to bring even more innovation and reach. Our roadmap for the next 12 months includes:

  • Canadian Expansion: We plan to broaden our coverage to highlight the vibrant Scandinavian and Baltic communities in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. By extending our journalism across the 49th parallel, The Northern Voices will become a truly pan-North American platform reflecting Nordic influence across the continent.
  • Enhanced Podcast Production: After launching our “Nordic/Baltic Talks” podcast in May 2025, we’re gearing up to take it to the next level. That means studio-quality audio, more in-depth episodes, and high-profile guest interviews. Early listeners loved our concise news roundups; now we’ll add candid conversations with artists and leaders, bringing fresh voices directly to your ears.
  • New Weekly Spotlight Series: To continue our mission of elevating emerging talent, we will introduce a weekly spotlight feature, showcasing one up-and-coming Nordic or Baltic creative each week. Whether it’s a young designer, a filmmaker, or a musician, these spotlights will provide sustained visibility for artists building their careers – one week at a time.
  • Video Content & Multimedia: We’re excited to venture into video storytelling. In the coming year, expect short documentaries, artist studio tours, and video interviews that complement our articles and podcasts. This multimedia approach will let you see and hear the creativity we cover, creating a richer, more immersive experience.
  • Community-Driven Features: Finally, we aim to turn readers into participants. We’ll be rolling out interactive features – think live Q&As with featured artists, community forums, and other tools that invite you to engage with the content and each other. Our dream is to transform passive readers into an active community, where everyone has a voice in preserving and celebrating Nordic and Baltic culture.

These initiatives are ambitious, but we believe they’re within reach – especially with the incredible support system that has grown around The Northern Voices. As Valev Laube often says, innovation is in our DNA; being a young digital-native platform means we can adapt and experiment quickly. With your help, we can accelerate these plans and continue to push boundaries in how cultural media operates.

Learn more about our ambitious plans below:

Join Us in Writing the Next Chapter

As we toast to one year of The Northern Voices, our biggest gratitude goes out to you – our readers, contributors, and community members. Your enthusiasm and engagement have proven that a platform like this is not only wanted but needed. Every time you read, share, or comment on a story, you’re helping to amplify the voices of Nordic and Baltic creatives.

If you’ve enjoyed our content and believe in our mission, we invite you to be part of our journey forward. Buy us a virtual coffee with a one-time donation or consider becoming a sponsor – every bit of support directly fuels our storytelling. As a lean independent outlet, even small contributions make an outsized impact on our ability to cover more stories and reach more people. Interested sponsors (individual or organizational) can also collaborate with us on special series or projects that align with our cultural mission.

Here’s to the next chapter of connecting cultures! With your support, we’ll continue to celebrate and elevate northern voices on an even bigger stage in the coming year. Thank you for being with us on this journey – and stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

Support & Contact: To learn how you can support The Northern Voices – whether through a donation or sponsorship – please reach out at info@valevlaube.com. We're also active on Facebook and Instagram ready to answer all your question. We’d love to hear from you and explore ways to keep this platform thriving. Together, we can ensure that the vibrant creativity of Nordic and Baltic communities continues to shine bright across North America and beyond.

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The Northern Voices

Your premier source for news, arts, politics, sciences, and feature stories about the Nordic and Baltic people in the United States. At The Northern Voices, we amplify the diverse and vibrant narratives from the North. All articles are independently reviewed and do not reflect the opinions of any organization or interest group.
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