Estonia’s rich culture and history will be celebrated through film at Stanford on Nov. 19. The free, evening event aims to bring together Estonians and Stanford faculty, staff, and students as well as people interested in Estonian heritage.

The film "The Woman Who Gave Estonia a Gift of a Museum: Olga Kistler-Ritso" (2013) highlights the extraordinary life of Olga Kistler-Ritso, an Estonian emigre who established the Kistler-Ritso Foundation in 1998. Her non-profit supported construction of the Museum of Occupations in Tallinn in 2003 as well as the creation of the Estonian and Baltic program at Stanford University Libraries in 2013. The second film, "To Breathe as One" (2013), gives an overview of the Estonian Song Festival tradition from the perspective of Estonians and members of an American children’s choir who participated in the 2009 festival. Both screenings will be followed by a question and answer sessions with the filmmakers, choir members and others involved in the films.

Special guests will include Kadri Viires, director of the Museum of Occupations, Steven Schecter, director of film about Olga Kistler-Ritso, Sylvia Thompson, daughter of Olga Kistler-Ritso and president of the foundation, James and Maureen Tusty, directors of "To Breathe as One," and representatives of Piedmont Children’s Choir, which participated in the Estonian Song Festival in 2009.

Event schedule:
*6-7 p.m.: "The Woman Who Gave Estonia a Gift of a Museum: Olga Kistler-Ritso," Q&A
Venue: Cubberley Auditorium, Graduate School of Education (485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford)
*7-7:30 p.m.: Tour of Green Library, Stanford University Libraries
Venue: Green Library (meet in the Graduate School of Education lobby)
*7:30-8 p.m.: Snack/coffee break
Venue: Graduate School of Education lobby
*8-9:30 p.m.: "To Breathe as One," Q&A
Venue: Cubberley Auditorium, Graduate School of Education
Don’t miss this opportunity to see both films, meet with the filmmakers, and learn more about the Museum of Occupations and the Estonian and Baltic program at Stanford University Libraries. The event is in English and is free and open to the public.
Participants are requested to register by Nov. 11: estonianculturalevening.eventbrite.com or 650-736-4724.
For additional information, please contact Liisi Eglit,

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