BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Estonian pianist Hando Nahkur is performing at the College of Southern Maryland on May the 6th

Estonian pianist Hando Nahkur is performing in Ward Virts Concert Series on the 6th of May at 3 PM at the College of Southern Maryland at Prince Frederick Campus (115 J.W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678).

The concert is free but seats are in limited quantity, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early.
No tickets or reservations are needed.
More information about the Ward Virts Series can be found at:  http://www.csmd.edu/Arts/WardVirts/index.html

Hando Nahkur, born in Estonia, has distinguished himself as one of his country’s most outstanding young artists. He has garnered top prizes in both national and international piano competitions, including Estonia, Italy, Greece, Russia, the United States and Canada. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded a prestigious Golden Medal of Merit (Canada) in 2005, joining prominent musicians who have made unique contributions to Estonian music life in Toronto. In 2010 his CD DeusExClavier was named “Record of The Year - Die Platten des Jahres” by ZEIT-ONLINE in Germany. At age sixteen, he made his debut with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. He has also appeared with the Orchestra of the Estonian National Opera, Tallinn Music High School Symphony Orchestra, Tallinn Music High School String Orchestra, the Bergslagen Symfoniker, the St Andrew’s Festival Orchestra and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

*** Washingtoni Eesti Seltsi Sünnipäev ***

It happened on Emakeelepäev

A funny thing about us older guys. We no longer meet at bars, or for that matter aktused. Our offspring are way too old to go to Seedrioru, grandkids not quite there. It takes something like the Sportsmen’s Show in Toronto to have three old friends meet, who had not seen each other for a while. Living in three different cities makes that a reality. Bumping into each other at Suvihari occasionally is not unexpected but is often unplanned. This time, explorative e-mails made the meeting an event to book and to anticipate.

Two of us, with but a week’s difference in age just that they could be twins, for both were conceived in Estonia but fled in utero and made their first earthly noises in Sweden. The third was also conceived elsewhere, but not in war-torn Estonia (de jure still free). Still, a common thread, for even if not “made in Estonia”, then where the parents ended up, and born in yet a third country, Canada. Just three musketeers growing up with Estonian names in a foreign culture, learning to speak the language of the new homeland, chosen by their parents, only upon reaching school age. English as a second language. Not the immigrant experience, but the refugee one. An experience that Toronto’s multicultural enclaves know very little about today with cosseted immigrants demanding treatment that our parents could not even conceive. Freedom, self reliance and hard work formed them, our communities and us.

Arrestation and deportation : 1949 remembrance

On Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. we will light candles and sing national songs to honor and remember the innocent citizens of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, who were arrested and deported to the Soviet Union in March, 1949, and those victims from Belarus. Bring a candle or light one of ours.

Let's show solidarity with people in Eastern Europe who gather on the same day with us to remember the tragedy that took place more than 60 years ago. We should never forget and we should never let the world forget.

The Victims of Communism Memorial is located at the intersection of Massachusetts and New Jersey Avenues NW in Washington, DC (two blocks from Union Station). See map: http://victimsofcommunism.org/contactus.php

Washington Estonian Society

Let's Go : Music from the Baltic

Cantus will perform “The Singing Revolution,” an inspiring story of music and revolution in the Baltic States.

In 1989 the people of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia joined hands in a peaceful revolution of song to gain their independence from the Soviet Union. Cantus shares this inspiring story and the music of the Baltic states.

Time: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15
Cost: Adults $25; students $10
Location: The Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Time: 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 23
Cost: Adults $25; students $10
Location: Colonial Church, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina

Info: cantussings.org or (612) 435-0055

Read more: Chanhassen Villager - Let s Go Music from the Baltic

No-one knows the number of Estonians living abroad

More and more Estonians have found new home and work abroad, but until now the state has lacked accurate data about their number.

For instance, the population registry says that more than 71,000 Estonian citizens are living abroad, with the largest communities in Finland (33,000), Russia (14,000), Sweden (3,300), UK (3,200), Canada (2,800), US (2,800), Germany (2,600) and Australia (1,600).

The actual number is likely to be at least two or three times bigger. For instance, according to Estonian consul-general in Australia, the number of Estonians living in Australia is estimated to be between 6,000 and 10,000 and, including back-packers, about 15,000.

As many as 10,000 Estonians may be living in UK, while the official figure shown by the Estonian population registry is 3,200.

Aho Rebas, representative of the worldwide council of Estonians, who has been compiling statistics of Estonians living abroad for years, estimates that about 200,000 people living outside Estonia consider themselves Estonians and about 125,000 of them have Estonian citizenship. 

Toomas Hõbemägi

Estonian Ski Club - CHINA PEAK March 8 - 11, 2012

China Peak March 8 – 11, 2012
51st Anniversary!
We are now taking reservations for China Peak!
Check out the video from last year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c583eRPAlc
The resort received over 3 feet of new snow a week ago! There is now a Tubing Hill, great for kids ages 3 years old and up.
Don’t forget to bring your best tuxedo and gown to slide down the mountain on our Formal Day. If you have an Estonian Flag, bring it along for the parade.
Kids are always welcome and China Peak is a great place to make new friends.
http://estonianskiclub.com/

Estonian motorists evading taxes

Nearly half of all Estonian cars in Finland have legally dubious status, estimates the Customs Board. Many are kept here permanently but still registered in Estonia to avoid paying Finnish taxes. Estonia does not levy annual car taxes.

There are some 50,000 foreign-registered vehicles in the country, most of them from Estonia, which is Finland's nearest neighbour to the south.

By law, an automobile must be registered in the country where its owner primarily lives and works. A foreign vehicle may be driven in Finland for up to six months before it must be registered here -- but only as long as its user is a permanent resident of another country.

This may of course be open to interpretation, but by law Customs officials can make the decision in uncertain cases. The state of Finland loses out on hundreds of thousands of euros annually due to improperly registered cars.

"Most don't pay"

"Sure, I know people who live and work in Finland but don't pay car taxes here," says Mare, an Estonian who has lived here for six years. "There are lots of them. Some pay, but most don't. I don't think it's fair. If you live and work in Finland, then you should follow Finnish laws, too," she adds.

Russian soft power in the 21st Century : An examination of Russian compatriot policy in Estonia

REMINDER You are cordially invited to a discussion with: Ambassador Marina Kaljurand Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States on "Russian Soft Power in the 21st Century: An Examination of Russian Compatriot Policy in Estonia" Thursday, October 27, 2011 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm CSIS 1800 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 B1 Conference Room Please join us for a discussion with Ambassador Marina Kaljurand, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States.  The discussion will focus on the recent CSIS report entitled "Russian Soft Power in the 21st Century: An Examination of Russian Compatriot Policy in Estonia," written by Heather Conley and Dr. Theodore Gerber.  As the former Estonian Ambassador to Moscow from 2005 to 2008, Ambassador Kaljurand will share her thoughts and insights on the impact of Russian soft power in Estonia.  If you have not already, please RSVP to The Europe Program at europeprogram@csis.org or (202) 775-3184 if you plan to attend. The event will be on the record.

 

October 14 - 18 : EstDocs 2011

Please check www.estdocs.com for detailed information and pick up a program booklet at the Toronto Estonian House various locations (ETCU, ESTore, cafe etc.) and at the Estonian Foundation of Canada office.

NB! Special warm-up night on October 13th at 7 pm, Tartu College. Tickets at the door, $5 in Korp! (frat/sorority) colours, $10 without. Everyone is welcome!

From the exciting close of last year’s festival exploring endangered languages, the EstDocs team has been busily pulling together another vibrant program for this seventh annual EstDocs.11.
 
Once again, we encountered no shortage of excellent documentary films on themes Estonian from which to compile this year’s program. The selections highlight the achievements in Estonian documentary filmmaking and diversity in Estonian storytelling. To bring it all together, we’re delighted to welcome the winner of four EstDocs Audience Awards, filmmaker Artur Talvik as this year’s festival moderator.
 
I’m not sure that even EstDocs founder Aarne Vahtra could have anticipated the resonance that EstDocs has found with its audience. We mourn the passing of Aarne deeply and this year’s EstDocs is dedicated to his memory.
 
On behalf of all the organizers, welcome to the fun, entertaining and enlightening films that form EstDocs 2011 – teretulemast!
 
Ellen Valter
Festival Director

Euro Night 2011 : 23/09/2011 - Washington D.C.

Dear Friends of La Maison Française, On Friday, September 23 from 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., La Maison Française will host Euro Night – an opportunity to discover the captivating world of European traditions! This annual event is a collaboration between more than 20 European Union embassies in Washington, D.C. Throughout the evening, each country will showcase its respective culture, traditions and culinary specialties. This year’s musical highlights will include the Irish duo Sean McComiskey & Shannon Dunne from The Kitchen Quartet, the Polish Highlanders Folk Group, dance mixes by DJ DIGITAL 21 from Spain and more! Take a cultural tour around Europe, feasting on national dishes and drinks from the open bars (cash bar from 9:30 p.m. until close) – a great way to discover Europe right here in DC! WHAT: Euro Night 2011 - program below WHEN: Friday, September 23 from 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. WHERE: La Maison Française, Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Rd, NW Parking available on Reservoir Road and across the street from the Embassy at Georgetown University Hospital’s pay lot. ADMISSION: General: $35; Benefactor: $50 Open bar from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Cash bar from 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. TICKETS / MORE INFO: www.EuroNightDC.org                      Proceeds from this event will help support the numerous and varied cultural activities at the participating European embassies. E.U. Member nations: Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Romania, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and United Kingdom. We look forward to welcoming you to La Maison Française for this fourth annual Euro Night celebration! Please take the time to scroll down to the bottom and discover our complete 11/12 cultural season at the Embassy of France. Warm regards, Roland Celette Cultural Attaché | Director of La Maison Française www.HouseofFranceDC.org ============= P R O G R A M ============= From 6:30pm to 9:30pm, visit each countries' table to sample food, beverages, and recieve information. Several live concerts will complete the ambiance and deliver vibrant rythms from Europe! Participating artist include Irish duo Sean McComiskey, button accordion & Shannon Dunne, concertina/sean nos dance from the The Kitchen Quartet and the Polish Highlanders. From 9:30pm to 11:30pm, we will crank up the volume and let our guests take over the dance floor with Spanish DJ DIGITAL 21. Drinks will be available via the cash-only bar.

JBANC founded 50 years ago on April 27, 1961

The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) was founded on April 27, 1961.

The Committee was founded during a period of great political and social upheaval: the Cold War had been going on for 15 years, and would last for another 30. The Berlin Wall would go up in just over three months. JFK had become U.S. President three months earlier. Sierra Leone declared itself independent that day from British rule. Colonialism was crumbling around the world, everywhere but within the expanding Soviet empire.

In 1961 it had been over twenty years since the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were occupied and illegally annexed by the Soviet Union. The Second World War had ended 16 years earlier in 1945, but the Baltic struggle would continue – in the forests and on the home front, but also across the Baltic Sea and further away across the Atlantic Ocean. The United States, thanks to the Welles Declaration of July 23, 1940, had not and would never legally recognize the Soviet takeover of the Baltic countries nor the legitimacy of Soviet rule. This non-recognition policy would last for over fifty years until 1991.

Lithuanians historically had a larger presence in America than Estonians and Latvians, primarily due to earlier waves of immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Lithuanian American Council was established in 1915, and was reorganized in 1940 to address new wartime concerns and challenges.

The largest migrations, however, of post-war Balts arrived in the United States about ten years prior to JBANC’s founding, following the signing of the Displaced Persons Act into law in 1948 by President Harry Truman. This allowed tens of thousands of Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians to come to the United States, mostly between 1948-1952. These newly-arrived Balts joined or set up organizations, schools, and cultural and religious institutions, and thus established their presence throughout the United States, from small farming communities to the largest urban centers, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. It was during this time, in the early 1950’s, when the American Latvian Association and the Estonian American National Council came into being.

Estonians now Finland’s largest immigrant group

Estonians are currently Finland’s largest group of foreign-born residents. According to the Finnish Population Register Centre, there were 28,965 Estonian citizens living in Finland at the end of last year.
      The Estonians narrowly overtook the Russians, who numbered 28,459 at the end of 2010.
     
“People come here from Estonia mainly as labour”, says Antti Saastamoinen of the police immigration unit. Saastamoinen is responsible for registering EU citizens living in Finland.
      “Judging from the labour contracts, construction and cleaning are the biggest sources of employment. It is much rarer for professionals involving high levels of education to come to Finland to work from across the Gulf of Finland.”
     
Estonians are driven to seek work in Finland by their own country’s poor employment situation.
      Urmas Soots, from Otespää, came to Finland to study already in 1990, when Estonia was still part of the Soviet Union.
      “Then I just stayed, as the system became more familiar, and I felt good here. In Estonia the construction industry is so quiet that there would probably not be much work available. All contractors are either here or in Sweden”, says Soots, a 38-year-old construction engineer.

ESK KÜSITLUS / EFC SURVEY

 
Kallis Kanada eesti ühiskonna toetaja, 

Eesti Sihtkapital Kanadas (ESK) palub Teie arvamust Kanada eesti ühiskonna tuleviku kohta järgmiseks 10 aastaks. Teie vastused on väga olulised! Vastates küsimustele saate kujundada Kanada eesti ühiskonna arengusuunda aastani 2020.

Küsimustikus on 23 küsimust ja selle täitmiseks kulub maksimaalselt 10 minutit. Vastamine on anonüümne. Küsitluste tulemused on aluseks arutlusele suurel rahvakoosolekul.
Rahvakoosolek toimub 31 mail 2011a, algusega kell 18.30 Toronto Eesti Majas ESK juhtimisel.

Palume Teie vastuseid 2 maiks 2011a.

Siin on link küsitluse juurde:  Eesti keelne küsitlus 
Suur tänu Teie abi eest!
Teie ESK Juhatus

Hamiltoni Eesti Seltsi Segakoor

Hamiltoni Eesti Seltsi Segakoor kutsub tähistama jõule Seedriorus. Ainulaadne üritus pakub lahedate jõuluaja dzässmuusikat Jack McFadden Trio esituses ja jõululaule, mida laulab HES'i Segakoor. Ette loetakse koori liikmete ja nende sugulaste mälestusi jõulude tähistamisest esmiese Eesti Vabariigi ajal, Nõukogude ajal, tänapäeva Eestis ja Kanadas.
Perede jõulumälestuste kohta tuleb ka audiovisuaalne esitlus. Pärast muusikalist osa toimub einelaud ja vaikne oksjon, mille tulud lähevad Seedrioru Lastesuvelaagrile.
 
The Hamilton Estonian Society Mixed Choir will present its Christmas Celebration at Seedrioru. This will be a unique event, mixing smooth Christmas jazz with the Jack McFadden Trio and carols sung by the HES choir. There will also be readings about Christmas' past, present and future written by present members of the HES choir and relatives who have experienced what Christmas was like during "Esimene Vabariigi Eesti", Soviet Times, and nowadays in both Canada and Estonia. There will also be an audio-visual presentation of family Christmas celebration memories.
A reception after the musical portion of the afternoon will accompany a silent auction, with proceeds going to the Children's Camp. 
 
Sissepääs/Admission: Vabatahtlik annetus/ Donation
Please bring along a toy as a donation to underprivileged children in Estonia.
Information:    Linda Montgomery, lindandavid@yahoo.com, Norman Reintamm, Norman@artset.net
Facebook Event: Click Here

The Singing Revolution has been accepted for national television broadcast ...

Dear TSR Friends,

We are very excited to announce that The Singing Revolution has been accepted for national television broadcast across the United States on PBS stations. This is yet another benchmark for the film’s reach, and it has all happened with the support of friends like you. Thank you. We now have the opportunity to share this story with millions more people.

And once again we need your help.  We need underwriting sponsors to maximize the number of people who will see The Singing Revolution. Underwriting support allows us to hire a marketing service that specializes in reaching PBS programming executives. This service means the difference between playing on a small number of stations versus reaching most of the U.S.

If you know of a group, business, organization, or individual that would be in a position to financially sponsor the film, please pass this information on to them or contact us directly. We need to raise $100,000, and sponsorships of $25,000 or more will receive on-air promotion at the beginning and end of the program.

Vintage Estonia : Christmas ornaments

Vintage Estonia showcases the creative talent, graphic design and illustrations of Axel Roosman, produced when he was a young man living in Estonia between the years 1918 ~ 1940. These vintage ads are now available on T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, mugs, aprons and other items, that make for a truly unique gift giving experience to share with friends and family.

NOW you can pick your own shirt styles and colours. Take note however, that dark colours like black, brown and navy will not always be the best colour choice for your apparel item as the images will not show up as well. Click on the Flag and Products Icon to see the product categories. Happy shopping!

Christmas Fairs at the Toronto Estonian House

Get into the Holiday Spirit: Two Christmas Fairs at the Toronto Estonian House on November 13th, 2010!

Baltic and Friends Christmas Fair
Laupäeval, 13. novembril kell 9.00-15.00/ Saturday, November 13th from 9am - 3pm
Toronto Eesti Majas/Toronto Estonian House
Featuring Baltic & Scandinavian artists, exhibitors, imports, foods, beverages, door prizes!  $2 admission; under 16 Free. 
Please contact Siiri Ruccella for more information.  Baltic and Friends is very happy to welcome new talented artists, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs to take part in this event!  Siiri Ruccella - siiri2001@hotmail.com, (416)602-1596.

Eesti Gaiderite Kogu Kanada Koondise Mini-Jõululaat/ Estonian Girl Guides in Canada Annual Christmas Fair
Laupäeval, 13. novembril kell 9.00-13.00 Toronto Eesti Majas keskmises saalis/ Saturday, November 13th from 9am to 1pm Toronto Estonian House Crystal Hall. 
Müügil jõuluvorstid, piparkoogid, pirukad, koogid, saiad, kinkeesemeid ja palju, palju muud.  Hubasest kohvikust saadaval maitsvaid võileibu, pirukaid, hapukapsaid, suppi.  Sissepääs $1.00

Older Estonian expats urged to consider returning

When the nation says it wants Estonians to come home, it is making clear that invitation has no age restrictions. 

Minister of Social Affairs Hanno Pevkur, who is on a visit to Toronto's sizable Estonian community, including the Ehatare retirement home, said that Estonia stands willing to provide all facets of assistance and support.

"Estonia has a bilateral agreement with Canada on social affairs that ensures the rights of everyone regardless of whether they live in Canada or Estonia. Estonian retirement homes are becoming better and better every year and Estonians living in Canada could give serious consideration to returning to Estonia," said Pevkur.  

Pevkur also met with administrators of one of Canada's biggest hospitals, Sunnybrook, regarding possible exchange of workforce. 

Sunnybrook is already working with the Tallinn Children's Hospital, and this visit generated ideas for offering patients at smaller hospitals better care through the use of telemedicine.

 

Discussions also pertained to developments in specific medical care, such as oncology, and exchange of medical know-how. "It is gratifying to see that Estonia has provided a bit of a role model here as to how to arrange post-natal care for newborns," said Pevkur.

Husband and wife, Walters, Kiin, publish books

Jack Walters and his wife, Sirje Kiin, both have recently published books.

Walters, a Dakota State University faculty member has published his first book entitled Positive Management, Increasing Employee Productivity. The book is part of the Strategic Management Series edited by Mason Carpenter.
His wife, Kiin, has published her ninth book. Written in Estonian, Kiin's latest book is entitled, European Travels of Marie Under.

Walters said his book is referred to as an airplane book, because its size is ideal for reading on an airplane. The target audience is mid- to upper-level managers.
Walters said he was approached about writing the book in early 2009. He spent the next nine months writing the book that was published this past June.

"Given the situation, and the global economy, and us being a first-world country, the best productive method is to create a partnership or a collective effort," Walters said.
The idea of positive management started circulating about 10 years ago, Walters said, and definitely merits more study. It's an idea similar to what is presented in the television series Undercover Boss, where the company CEO goes undercover and works in a variety of positions within the company. The CEO typically completes the week with some insight on the company and changes that could be made to improve efficiency.

Walters said the idea of Undercover Boss is based on the idea that the CEO gets isolated from the rest of the company.

Walters said he plans to continue exploring the idea of Positive Management through the publication of papers.
"It's a relatively new idea," he said. "It needs more study."