Ave Nukki: On Singing and Books
Ave Nukki from Sydney writes about how she preserves her Estonian language and spirit through song and reading.
Music has always played a powerful role in connecting us to our roots – and for me, it’s been part of life for as long as I can remember. I’ve had the joy of singing with choirs for over 20 years – both in Estonia and, more recently, here in Australia with the Australian Estonian choir Kooskõlas. This year, after two years with Kooskõlas, I’m excited to be singing under the laulukaar at the Estonian Song Festival – a long-held dream finally coming true.
Some of my earliest and most cherished memories are of singing harmonies with my sisters at home, often gathered around the table as someone played the accordion. Music was always in the air when our family came together. To this day, one of my favourite pieces is Läänemere lained – a song that instantly brings back the memories and joy of those moments. Even though 5 years of Abbey Road Studios in London brought some variety artists and songs to my life, nothing competes with Läänemere Lained.
Alongside music, books have always held a special place in my heart. The idea of launching an Estonian book club in Australia has been quietly brewing for some time. Every visit to Estonia includes a trip to the bookstore, where I find myself overwhelmed by the many voices calling to be read. Choosing just one is never easy! Here in Australia, I often turn to visiting friends – many of them writers and poets – for book recommendations. In January, I had the joy of hosting Estonian writer Kristiina Ehin and musician Silver Sepp in Sydney. Our conversations about literature gave me the final spark to bring this idea to life. It turns out I wasn’t alone – across Estonian communities in Australia, there’s a strong appetite for reading and sharing stories. That’s why I was excited to launch the Southern Hemisphere Book Club with a virtual event featuring Kristiina and her new book, Behind the Dams of the Heart (Südametammide taga).
Although five years of work at Abbey Road studio in London brought propagandists and songs to my life, nothing compares to ‘Baltic Sea Waves’.
In addition to music, there has always been a special place in my heart for books. The idea of starting an Estonian book club in Australia has matured for some time. No trip to Estonia passes without a visit to the bookstore, where all the voices that require reading kick me off. Choosing just one field is never easy! Here in Australia, I often turn to visiting friends – many of whom are writers and poets – to recommend books. In January I had the pleasure of hosting Estonian writer Kristiina Ehin and musician Silver Sepp in Sydney. Our literary conversations gave us the final spark to make this idea a reality. It turned out that I am not alone – there is a great appetite for reading and sharing stories across Estonian communities in Australia. That's why I was delighted to establish the Southern Hemisphere Book Club with a virtual event featuring Kristiina Ehin and her new book Behind the Heart Dams.
Ave Nukki is an Estonian living in Australia. She is the President of the Estonian Society of Sydney and also serves as the Head of the Organising Committee for the next Eesti Päevad in Australia, which will take place in Sydney from 8-11 April 2027.
