Hello! My name is Merilin Kaustel-Lehemets, and I am the founder of NORDIC STORIES. Although I was born in western Estonia, my family has always had ties to Sweden.

After high school, I dived into various studies without a clear direction – music, political science, and law – but it wasn’t until years later that I developed a deeper interest in the history and culture of Estonian Swedes, which led me to start learning Swedish. I graduated in Scandinavian Studies at the University of Tartu, focusing on Swedish language and literature, and also studied Danish and Norwegian at an advanced level.

Soon after my first daughter was born, we moved with our family to Noarootsi, where my Estonian Swedish ancestors had lived for centuries. My grandmother was also Estonian Swedish, and her native language was Swedish. She was one of the mysterious speakers of the Noarootsi dialect, which unfortunately no longer has any active speakers but is today an interesting subject of study for linguists. In Noarootsi, my creative side flourished, and I focused mainly on photography and graphic design.

Through graphic design, I have created visual identities for many Estonian and international companies and institutions, from websites to printed materials.

My photographs have been published in Estonia’s largest newspapers and magazines. I have captured weddings, families, product, and food photos. One of the cookbooks I photographed, “Våra smaker av Nuckö,” was even presented as a gift to the King of Sweden.

My translations from Scandinavian languages into Estonian have received the Best Young Translator Award from the Estonian Writers’ Union for two consecutive years.

Currently, I am pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Tartu in European Languages and Cultures, where my focus is still on Scandinavian Studies, translation, the Estonian Swedish language, and traditions.

To combine all my experiences, knowledge, and skills, NORDIC STORIES was born, where I can create visual and verbal narratives for you. By collaborating with the best in their fields, I can offer you captivating Nordic stories in words and images.