{"id":809,"date":"2025-04-27T11:11:35","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T09:11:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heaklubi.fi\/wordpress\/index.php\/helsingi-eesti-akadeemiline-klubi-english\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T23:08:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T21:08:47","slug":"helsingi-eesti-akadeemiline-klubi-english","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heaklubi.fi\/index.php\/en\/helsingi-eesti-akadeemiline-klubi-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Helsinki Estonian Academic Club"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Club\u2019s members at the Estonian Independence Day reception at the embassy of Estonia, February 2025.
Photo: Kristi Leht<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Helsinki Estonian Academic Club (Helsingi Eesti Akadeemiline Klubi) is founded in 2006. It brings together Estonians with academic interests who live in the Helsinki area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main goal of the club is to provide its members with opportunities for enriching interaction and exchange with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The club also seeks to support the integration of Estonians into Finnish society and to foster closer ties between the two countries, within the scope of its capabilities. We consider it important to encourage the exchange of good ideas and new concepts across the Gulf of Finland. For example, we have organized panel discussions about Estonian-Finnish relations and future cooperation. We also have had the honor of meeting the presidents of both Finland and Estonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also seek to promote Estonian science, economy, culture, and traditions in Finland. For instance, we have translated Enn Soosaar\u2019s book Nuripidine aastasada<\/em> (“The Contradictory Century”) into Finnish and have supported Estonian-language education at Helsinki\u2019s Latokartano School in various ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Club\u2019s Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Helsinki Estonian Academic Club gathers once a month, meeting organizations, companies, or individuals who are in some way connected to Estonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We organize meetings with scientific, economic, and cultural content, information days, excursions, and festive events to celebrate Estonian national holidays. Over time, Estonia\u2019s Independence Day celebration, the crayfish party, and the Christmas gathering have become established traditions of the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, we carry out charity and sponsorship projects that align with the club\u2019s goals. For example, we contributed to acquiring an \u201cEstonia\u201d grand piano for the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki. We have also procured Estonian-language children’s books for Helsinki\u2019s Latokartano School, supported an essay competition, and funded the printing of brochures introducing opportunities for Estonian children to learn Estonian in Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The club has about 30 active members. Our members work as specialists and leaders across a variety of fields, including finance and banking, science and education, entrepreneurship, culture and medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Membership in the club is by invitation. Further information can be obtained from the club\u2019s board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HEAKlubi
Club\u2019s delegation\u2019s meeting with President Alar Karis at Kadriorg on 21st of May in 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Board of Helsinki Estonian Academic Club 2025\/2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Raigo Megerild (president of the club)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Henri Malvet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Jaan Praks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Marja Tuhkanen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Helin Vesala <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Valdar Liive<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sten-Erik Tammem\u00e4e<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Kalle Pedak<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Contact: info@heaklubi.fi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \n
    \"Eesti
    Reception for Estonia\u2019s Independence Day at the embassy of Estonia on 14.2.2024. President Alar Karis attended the reception.
    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"The
    The Helsinki Estonian Academic Club met Estonian president Arnold R\u00fc\u00fctel at Kadriorg castle in September 2013.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Klubi
    The founding meeting of the Helsinki Estonian Academic Club on 26th of April in 2006. In the photo from the left (standing): J\u00fcri Teemant, Kalle Pedak, Rego Ostonen; seated (from the left): Henri Malvet, Toomas Abner, Gunnar Okk, and Andres K\u00e4\u00e4r.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"HEAKlubi
    The Club\u2019s meeting with President Mauno Koivisto on 19th of August in 2013 at the embassy of Estonia in Helsinki.
    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"V\u00e4hipidu
    Crayfish party at Villa Pentry in August 2022.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"The
    The Club\u2019s donations helped acquire an Estonia grand piano for the embassy. Letter of thanks from the embassy to the Helsinki Estonian Academic Club and other donors.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Klubi
    Club excursion to Stockholm in 2011. The programme included a visit to the Stockholm Estonian House.
    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Koost\u00f6\u00f6lepingu
    Signing the cooperation agreement with the Tuglas Society in January 2011. From left to right: the head of Tuglas Society Juhani Salokannel and club\u2019s president Indrek Tammeaid.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Klubi
    Club meeting with President Tarja Halonen at the embassy of Estonia in December 2014.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Meeting
    Meeting writer Sofi Oksanen at the embassy of Estonia in September 2012. Gunnar Okk handing over Enn Soosaar\u2019s book on behalf of the Club.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Club
    Club visits opera in 2020.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    \"Heaklubi
    The Club\u2019s 15th anniversary seminar at the Estonian Embassy in October 2021. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>