Aussie Abroad: Louis Zezeran's Expedition in Estonia
He's a Bloke from Down Under with a Soft Spot for Estonia
In the year 2006, a group of Aussie backpackers stumbled upon a golden opportunity in the Estonian city of Tartu, where Louis Zezeran, one of them, discovered a chance to develop stand-up comedy - a genre virtually unheard of in the country. Despite not being a fan of the snow and Nordic winters, Louis found a connection with the Estonian love for nature and rural living.
Fast forward to today, Louis Zezeran is more than just a comic mentor in Estonia—he's also a leadership trainer for Combat Ready, a company founded by Estonian special forces operatives. And let's not forget his undying affection for dark bread made from buckwheat flour.
Louis first touched down in Estonia as a backpacker, knowing nothing about the country. Hefound himself in the vibrant buzz of student life, eager to participate in a competition to meet a date for the evening. The night unfolded at a nightclub called Johnny Depp, where he had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people. It would take several more years before he found his bride in Estonia.
He quickly experienced the ease of setting up shop in Estonia, obtaining a bank account from Hansapank (later rebranded as Swedbank) with just his hostel address. After witnessing the progress the country has made in the years since then, he's genuinely proud of Estonia's development.
From an IT degree to theatre production, Louis Zezeran made a bold career shift. In 2005, he tried his hand at theatre production in Sydney, realizing that being a theatre producer was primarily about strong project management, a skill he knew he had.
Arriving in Estonia in 2007, he took on the challenge of introducing stand-up comedy, an unexplored genre he discovered thanks to an encounter with an American stand-up comedian. Along with his Estonian collaborator Sander Ǒigus, they founded Comedy Estonia, staging their first shows during Tartu Student Days in 2010. To their surprise, Estonians embraced the format with enthusiasm.
One of the standout achievements for Comedy Estonia was the growth of the local comedy scene, with comedians like Ari Matti Mustonen gaining international recognition. Louis's role in this cultural legacy fills him with pride.
As he pursues new challenges, Louis continues to carve a niche for himself in Estonia. He is currently working as a leadership instructor for Combat Ready, the only trainer without a military background. This new opportunity represents the second unique career path that Estonia has provided him.
Estonians, much like their Nordic neighbors, are often perceived as serious and reserved. However, Louis challenges this stereotype, pointing to the quick embrace of stand-up comedy as evidence. With a little encouragement, Estonians have proven to have a great sense of humor.
Louis has also been impressed by the vibrant Estonian hip-hop scene, admiring the way local artists have managed to adapt the international genre to suit local tastes. He lauds the Estonian Hip-Hop Festival as a fantastic event, highlighting the talent of artists such as Genka.
As a small democratic nation, Estonia offers a unique opportunity to observe a community that values close personal connections, with well-known politicians being accessible to everyday people. Living in Estonia has given Louis a sense of familiarity that he would not have experienced in a larger country.
Being moderately well-known, Louis has had an easier time interacting with government offices and making friends in Estonia. He considers himself the second-most famous non-native Estonian, with Dave Benton, the Eurovision winner, taking the crown.
Louis adores the Estonian countryside and the deep connection the locals have to their land. Despite being more urban-dwelling himself, he sometimes longs for a large patch of land in his hometown of Australia.
However, the harsh Estonian winters and snow have left him longing for warmer climates. He identifies as a quintessential "sun person." Don't expect him to savor sauerkraut or blood sausage, but he'll gladly chow down on Marta Bakery's dark bread made from Estonian-grown buckwheat flour—a permanent fixture in his daily diet.
Fast Furious Facts with Louis Zezeran
- Favorite Estonian word: "Life has presented me with many words from different languages during my journey and it's hard to pick just one. However, every language has its rhythm and beauty, and learning to dance with them is always an enjoyable challenge."
- Favorite food: Marta Bakery's dark bread made from Estonian-grown buckwheat flour.
- Favorite band: Tanel Padar. "He was my first introduction to Estonian music, and I can't help but love his unique sound."
- Louis Zezeran, originally from Australia, holds a soft spot for the Estonian city of Tallinn, where he discovered a chance to develop stand-up comedy.
- In Estonia, Louis Zezeran is not just a comic mentor but also a leadership trainer for Combat Ready, a company founded by Estonian special forces operatives.
- His undying affection for dark bread made from buckwheat flour is a highlight of his time in Estonia.
- Louis Zezeran, unaware of Estonia, found himself in the vibrant student life of Tartu, eager to participate in a competition and meet people.
- After witnessing the progress Estonia has made, he takes pride in its development.
- From an IT degree to theatre production, Louis made a bold career shift, realizing that being a theatre producer was primarily about strong project management.
- Arriving in Estonia in 2007, he took on the challenge of introducing stand-up comedy, an unexplored genre he discovered thanks to an American stand-up comedian.
- Estonians have surprised Louis with their quick embrace of the stand-up comedy format, with comedians like Ari Matti Mustonen gaining international recognition.
- As a leadership instructor for Combat Ready, Louis continues to carve a niche for himself in Estonia, despite being the only trainer without a military background.
- Estonians, with a great sense of humor, challenge the stereotype of being serious and reserved.
- Louis admires the vibrant Estonian hip-hop scene, particularly the Estonian Hip-Hop Festival and local artists such as Genka.
- Living in Estonia has given Louis a sense of familiarity that he would not have experienced in a larger country, with well-known politicians being accessible to everyday people.
