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IN FOCUS WITH EANC. Russia’s War Against Ukraine and the Implications for European Security and Beyond: The Perspective from Estonia
2025-03-06 20:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
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Join us for this important discussion on the importance of supporting Ukraine, understanding what is at stake, what we can do, and where we go from here.

Register here

We are honored to welcome our distinguished speakers:

Ambassador Kristjan Prikk, Estonian Ambassador to the U.S.

Mr. Karl Altau, Managing Director of the Joint Baltic American National Committee

Q & A Moderated by Ms. Maia Linask, Vice President of the Estonian American National Council

“A just peace can only be achieved through strength, adherence to international norms, the rule of law, and the involvement of Ukraine and our European allies in any negotiations. Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” – Full EANC Statement on Ukraine available at https://estosite.org/eanc-ukraine-statement-feb-20-2025/

Webinar: The Fate of Europe: Ukraine, the Baltic Region, and Collective Security
2025-03-10 12:00 - 13:00
The Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies hosts this online roundtable discussion on “The Fate of Europe: Ukraine, the Baltic Region, and Collective Security.”

Since 2014, the Ukrainian state and society have shown strength and resilience in resisting Russian aggression. Given the decisions of the new United States administration to engage Putin’s Russia and chastise Ukrainian leadership, will Ukraine be able to continue defending its sovereignty? What are the implications of the recent changes in the US position towards Russia for European security, including Nordic and Baltic security? How will Europeans approach their collective security in a new era of transatlantic relations?

These and other questions will be tackled by Hanna Shelest (Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”) Marko Lehti (Tampere Peace Research Institute), and Ginta Palubinskas (West Virginia State University). The webinar will be moderated by Daunis Auers (University of Latvia) and welcome remarks will be delivered by AABS President Jörg Hackmann (University of Szczecin).

Learn more about the participants on the AABS website.

Register here

Virtual discussion: The Ukraine Question and Baltic Security
2025-04-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Online via Zoom
The Ukraine Question and Baltic Security: What’s next for Ukraine—and why should Baltic Americans care?

Join two Washington-based experts for a timely conversation on Ukraine’s future, its ties to the Baltic countries, and how our diaspora can influence U.S. policy on issues that matter to the Baltic region.Featuring:• Michael Kimmage – Historian, director of the Kennan Institute, and author of Collisions: The War in Ukraine and the Origins of the New Global Instability (Oxford University Press, 2024).• Karl Altau – Managing director of the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC), coordinating Baltic advocacy in Washington since 1961. JBANC is supported by the Lithuanian American Council, Estonian American Council, and American Latvian Association.Program will be in English and is open to all.

Register here

Virtual discussion "Baltic Spotlight: Disinformation as a Challenge to Western Democracies"
2025-04-16 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Register here

The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) presents the latest in its virtual discussion series Baltic Spotlight on Wednesday, April 16. Featuring guest Marcus Kolga, the founder and director of DisinfoWatch, the discussion will be focused on the disinformation war being waged by Russia and the challenges it brings for Western countries to preserve its democracies.

Marcus Kolga is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, human rights activist, and a leading Canadian analyst of foreign disinformation and influence operations. He frequently writes and comments on Russian and Central and Eastern European issues and disinformation in Canadian and international media. His articles have been published by The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The National Post, Macleans, the Atlantic Council, The European Observer, and other European publications.

Kolga led the Canadian civil society campaign for Magnitsky human rights sanctions legislation and has actively led and contributed to similar efforts in Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, and Australia.

He has been sanctioned by both the Kremlin and China for his efforts to promote democracy and combat disinformation.

The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc.

Established in 1961, JBANC has represented the Baltic-American communities and its three parent organizations, the American Latvian Association, the Estonian American National Council, and the Lithuanian American Council. JBANC’s goal has been to help coordinate their activities in Washington, DC with the U.S. Congress and administration and its related agencies in conjunction with issues related to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. We have taken great pride in over half a century in joint Baltic cooperation and in being able to help coordinate and consolidate our common interests.

Virtual Baltic Advocaccy Days
2025-05-12 00:00 - 2025-05-15 23:59 | Online
issed Baltic Advocacy Days in Washington, DC? Here’s another opportunity to stand for Baltic security:

Register for Virtual Baltic Advocacy Days to meet with your Congressional office over video call.

The Joint Baltic American National Committee invites Baltic Americans and friends of the Baltics to participate in virtual advocacy days from May 7-9 and May 12-15. Your voice makes a difference!

This year we will advocate for funding the Baltic Security Initiative, supporting our friends in Ukraine, and highlighting the strength of the U.S.-Baltic relationship.

Baltic Virtual Advocacy Days will consist of 15–20 minute video call meetings with your Congressional offices. Each participant will have 2–3 meetings, which will take place on May 7–9 and May 12–15. Participants can indicate their availability on the registration form. (Please only register if you were unable to attend the in-person Advocacy Days.)

All participants will also be invited to a virtual briefing ahead of Baltic Advocacy Days. No experience is required—briefing materials and training will be provided. We hope you’ll join us!

Register here

Your voice makes a big difference! Support Estonian security!

Baltic Picnic 2025 - San Francisco Bay area
2025-06-01 12:00 - 16:00 | Huddart Park, 1100 Kings Mountain Rd, Woodside, California, 94062, United States
Join us for a potluck lunch, and an afternoon of casual sports and fun with friends and family.

This year the Bay Area Baltic Picnic moves to Huddart Park in Woodside to take advantage of the park’s wonderful amenities, including hiking trails!

Where: Huddart Park, Woodside at Zwierlein Picnic Area (see location on the map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nFEK26WZBbtp1E8b9)

When: Sunday, June 1, 12:00 – 4:00 (registration opens at 11:30)

Food: Roast pig and beer are provided by the organizers! All guests, please bring side dishes to share (to serve 8-10), and anything extra to add to the grill or to drink. Please note that the park only allows beer and wine, no hard alcohol.

Dogs: Dogs are not allowed at this park site.

New this year! Huddart Park is a beautiful, natural location with miles of scenic hiking trails in the redwoods! Sign up for a self-guided morning hike before the event, and let’s explore this corner of the world together! https://forms.gle/B6FjkaZ6CdHbvJ747

Ways to help: The picnic is run by volunteers! Sign up to help during the day (https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F054CAAA72BA2F49… ) – registration table, help manage the potluck table and sports activities, and clean up! We need you to make this event happen.

85th Anniversary of the Welles Declaration
2025-07-23 00:00 - 23:59
Comemorative event location and time to be announced shortly.

July 23rd will mark the 85th anniversary of the impactful Welles Declaration, which doutlined the United States policy of non-recognition of the Soviet takeover of the three Baltic countries. That year, the statement of the Acting United States Secretary of State Sumner Welles declared the occupation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union illegal. This position, known as the Welles Declaration, became the basis for the U.S. policy of non-recognition of the annexation of the Baltic states.

We must continue to standing firmly for the sovereign self-determination of countries and the principles of international law, a conviction that is very relevant today, especially as we see Russia’s invasion and aggression against Ukraine and are witness to the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories.

The Welles Declaration set a world-wide standard of non-recognition of the Baltic incorporation into the Soviet Union and helped Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania to preserve the continuity of state and to eventually restore their independence.

Due to the non-recognition of the occupation, diplomats of the Baltic countries were able to continue the work of their missions.

The Welles Declaration was largely inspired and drafted by Loy W. Henderson, who had visited Latvia as a Red Cross volunteer in 1919, and later on as a U.S. diplomat. The idea for a declaration was fully supported by Sumner Welles, who in 1940 served as Under Secretary of State.

The Baltic Way & Black Ribbon Day Commemoration
2025-08-22 11:00 - 12:00 | McPherson Square, 15th Street NW 700, Washington, DC
Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC) in partnership with Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC), and the Embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will commemorate the Baltic Way and Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact (Black Ribbon Day) at 11:00am on Friday, August 22nd in McPherson Square (right across the street from the Victims of Communism Museum).

I kindly invite everyone to join us! All nations are welcome and invited! Bring friends and family, your country flags, and any symbols of freedom.

For event details please visit our website: The Baltic Way | Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

Online Discussion. Baltic Spotlight: Baltic Sea Security in an Age of Russian Aggression
2025-10-29 20:00 - 21:00
The Joint Baltic American National Committee will host its next Baltic Spotlight on October 29 at 8 p.m. ET, featuring Benjamin Schmitt, Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and Senior Fellow for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, it has intensified attacks on European infrastructure, seeking to destabilize and sow doubt within European civil society. The Baltic Sea has become a flashpoint in infrastructure security discussions, with multiple incidents of cable cutting resulting in damaged data cables and gas lines.

Helping assess the state of Baltic Sea security and potential policy solutions is Benjamin Schmitt, author of the report “UNDERWATER MAYHEM: Countering Threats to Energy and Critical Infrastructure Across the NATO Alliance and Beyond.”

Schmitt previously served as European Energy Security Advisor at the U.S. Department of State, where he advanced diplomatic engagement vital to the energy and national security interests of the transatlantic community, focusing on strengthening the resilience of NATO’s eastern flank and Ukraine in the face of Russian malign energy activities.

We invite you to join the discussion on Zoom and learn more about Russia’s shadow war in the Baltic Sea.

Register here

The Estonian American National Council is a proud supporter and founding member organization of the Joint Baltic American National Committee.

2025 New York Baltic Film Festival
2025-11-05 00:00 - 2025-11-16 23:59 | Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue (at 38th Street), New York
The 8th Annual New York Baltic Film Festival (NYBFF) presented by Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America returns this November continuing its tradition of bringing the best new films from the Baltic region to New York audiences. This Baltic film festival will take place November 5-16, 2025, offering both in-person and virtual screenings. In-person screenings and events will take place November 5-9 at Scandinavia House in New York. An online version will once again be available to viewers across the U.S. via the Elevent streaming platform from November 10–16.

Individual tickets and a variety of passes are available.

Box Office TIcket Sales

ASF Program Manager & NYBFF Curator Kyle Reinhart states, “Since the New York Baltic Film Festival was founded eight years ago, we have seen an exponential growth in the stature and importance of Baltic cinema, with major wins at film festivals including last year’s Oscar for FLOW, the first Latvian film to achieve an Academy Award. A new generation of filmmakers is emerging with a distinct, brave and unique voice; meanwhile, older masters of Baltic cinema continue to produce films of the highest caliber. This year’s NYBFF will explore contemporary issues with an outlook to the future—which couldn’t be brighter. Please join us in November to see the world through Baltic eyes.”

In-person Line Up

Virtual Screenings Line Up

For program announcements, please subscribe to the festival newsletter at balticfilmfestival.com and Scandinavia House newsletter at scandinaviahouse.org. For more immediate updates, follow NYBFF on Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK BALTIC FILM FESTIVALEstablished in 2018, the New York Baltic Film Festival is presented and organized by Scandinavia House in collaboration with the Embassy of Estonia, Consulate General of Lithuania, and Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations in New York. Financial support for the festival comes from the Estonian Film Institute, National Film Center of Latvia, and Lithuanian Film Center, with additional sponsorship by the American-Scandinavian Foundation, American Latvian Association, Edhard Corporation, Estonian Ministry of Culture, Estonian American National Council (EKRÜ), Honorary Consulate General of Latvia in New York, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Baltic Film Media and Arts School at Tallinn University, Narbutas, and Sondra Litvatytė.

Boston Baltic Film Festival, In person & virtual
2026-02-27 00:00 - 2026-03-23 23:59 | Emerson Paramount Center, Bright Family Screening Room, 559 Washington St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02111
In-person screenings: February 27 – March 1, Emerson Paramount Center

Join us for a wonderful weekend of film screenings, engaging talks, and Q&A sessions with award-winning filmmakers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. EANC is a proud supporter of the Boston Baltic Film Festival.

The festival opens with a Meet the Filmmakers panel discussion and a feature presentation of the Estonian film Fränk, followed by our Opening Night Reception—an opportunity to meet, mingle, and continue the conversation with filmmakers and fellow guests.

Check out the full festival line-up here: Event Schedule — Boston Baltic Film Festival

Virtual screenings (different films): March 2 – 23. This year´s virtual screenings are accessible across the U.S. and Canada.

Contact: info@bostonbalticfilm.org

Boston Baltic Film Festival: Virtual
2026-03-02 00:00 - 2026-03-23 23:59
The 8th Annual Boston Baltic Film Festival continues in March with an excellent array of film selections for its virtual festival. This year, the main virtual line-up can be accessed across the United States and Canada, with three bonus selections available in the U.S.

EANC is proud to support the 8th Annual BBFF, as well as one of the presented documentaries, The Story of the Baltic University, by Helga Merits.

View the full line-up and buy passes here
