I think it is ludicrous to actual announce the death of something that has brought so much positive to us. We should go to San. Fransisco in 2013 to celebrate the fact that they had the courage to at least attempt to intice people to an ESTO. Let it be an actual ESTO, no matter how moderrate in numbers, but not a funeral of ESTO.

I have been to a few Esto-s and have enjoyed them tremendously. Sorry to see some even contemplating the funeral of them.

Song and dance Festival in Tallinn should now replace these ESTO festivals as a world-wide meeting place, our roots are there after all. Rather than travel to Riga, Toronto or San Francisco, why not go to Tallinn and spend our money there, boost the local economy and get back in touch with our roots.

I don't think Leivat ruled out Tallinn as a meeting place. Up to now it has not been one. Why not use the ESTO tradition and experience to have a world-wide meeting in Tallinn, yes during the song and dance festival? That is, if the diaspora eestlased don't get lost in the couple of hundred thousand countrymen.

Considering that the ESTO idea saw its birth in EastCoast Estonian gatherings in the 1950's and 1960's, would it not be logical for the USA EastCoast to again revive these events every few years, esp. since the WestCoast has their successful events every 2 years for the past 50+?
Come on East Coast Estos, let's do it!

I agree with Laas Leivat that it is premature to preclude any future Estos. And I also agree that the best time, event to organize them around is the Üldlaulupidu in Tallinn. However, I think that there should be a special diaspora-related program organized. For instance, maybe charter a Tallink ferry...take a 3-4 day cruise before or after the laulupidu (Tallinn-Helsinki-Stockholm-Riga-Tallinn). Among other things there should be a gathering place in Tallinn (to replace the now defunct Tallinna Eesti Maja, which was too small anyway)...and an Internet page where people could register and leave their contact info. Now that the Estonian government is supporting diaspora activities...there should also be some funding available. This, of course, does not preclude local get-togethers like the West Coast Days...and maybe the East Coast Days could be revived as well in the pre-Esto form.

I agree with Juta. Since many of us go to the song and dance festivals already, the ESTO could be held before or after like the West Coast Estonians have trips to different locations. I would think before, because after the festivals, many of the people return back home.

Juta and Emmi are right. It took real guts for the Münster organizers to tackle ESTO. They did it and from all accounts everyone that attended had a good time. I am really puzzled by commentators who say that aktused (which are very rare at ESTOs} and congresses are boring and a thing of the past. Well if some get a high out of attending these type of events let these "congress nerds" have their own pleasure. We must not twist the arms of the "congress haters", for oh my gosh they must not be coerced into attending. I guess in the past they were abducted and forced to sit for a few hours at a meeting or congress.

After over 60 years of living outside of Estonia, we are not the same as kodu-eestlased! That is not a negative comment in any way! I speak good Estonian, but not everyone does. That needs to be addressed in upcoming Estos. As someone who has attended all Estos, I feel that emigre Estonians need a place to come together. Over the years we have made many freindships with other emigre Estos. And since there are fewer of us, I would love the participation of people and groups from Eesti.

A future Esto could be in a city outside Eesti, or how about, Tallinn or Saaremaa? Or Viljandi?
We are in danger of losing a wonderful event. Is anyone interested or concerned?

I attended Münster Esto, a well organized event, but it was not particulary supported by Canadian Estos. Why? Let's not let this special event die!

ESTOd on ammu l6ppenud -
see on ajalugu millel on suur
tähtsus. Mis edaspidi toimub on
midagi uut ja muud. Edu...