Update # 239
KESKUS and the Estonian Embassy in Ottawa bring together Kingston area Estonians
Despite a snow storm warning, Kingston area Estonians nevertheless came out to the University Club at Queen's University to toast Estonia's 107th birthday, welcome more recent Estonians to the Kingston area, and to learn about the KESKUS project.
Those gathered were area residents of all ages, including Queen's University students, graduates, and retired professors, and all but two were new to the Kingston Estonian community, fondly known as tongue-twisting "Kingstonian-Estonians".
Back in the 1950s, a few families of Estonians had settled in Kingston after WWII, found each other socially, and gathered often to celebrate Vabriigi aastapäev among other Estonian holidays.
"That's not to say that the activity was steady over the passing decades," notes Eva Barnes who came to Kingston 20 years ago when her husband, Dr. Jack Barnes joined Queen's University. "There were periods of time, I understand, when Estonian related activities here in Kingston became almost dormant."
Second generation Estonians such as Dr. Kristi Allik, Tiiu Kurvits, Leena Altosaar, and Eva herself, came to Kingston because of their jobs. In the process of getting settled in Kingston, Eva could not find other Estonians leading her to try a proactive approach.
"This was back in the day when printed community newspapers were commonplace. Because of my west coast background in PR and advertising, I decided to place a small ad with a photo into Kingston This Week, just to see what might happen. There would be nothing to lose, and possibly much to gain. I gave my own personal contact info," says Eva.
The response to the ad was positive and encouraging. And then the real work began, to renew the Kingston group. Organizing was largely done by Anu Taavet Bresnai and her sisters Reet and Eva, who owned a cottage on near by Wolfe Island, and whose parents had been part of that original generation of Estonians living in the Kingston area. It was Anu who proposed an ambitious, traditional Estonian style midsummer celebration on the island that was an instant hit and a much-anticipated event for many years.
Eva's role was to program the get-togethers and often brought in guests: Andres Raudsepp from Trenton sang one year, and Hanno Bohl from Hamilton gave a 'kannel demo'. Ülle Baum came from Ottawa with some members of the Estonian Embassy. She brought her accordion, taught folkdance to the younger participants. The "suvehari" participants learned to sing Mu Isamaa with the aid of a giant flip chart.
And so it was particularly meaningful that the late Andres Raudsepp's daughter, Laine Raudsepp, who has recently moved to Kingston, came to the gathering of Estonians to celebrate Estonia's 107th, and performed a favourite musical piece of Andres', "Kuldne Leib".
Eva, a Kungla Rahvas donor to KESKUS was delighted with the event that brought out Estonians who have more recently moved to the area, saying "over time our group has become diminished, and we were under the impression that this was likely the end of the story for our Estonian activities here. What an unexpected and positive affirmation it is to see so many new newcomers to our community, especially young people! Heartfelt thanks to KESKUS for bringing us together. This offers wonderful validation of our past endeavours, and an encouragement for us to continue!"
The evening's keynote speaker was Kalle Amolins, also a recent addition to the Kingston area, currently in the final stretch of his family medicine residency at Queen's in Kingston. Kalle spoke about what growing up in the Estonian community has meant to him, why he has donated to the best of his ability to the KESKUS project and how the KESKUS centre looks to the future to engage with next generations of Estonians locally, regionally, and around the world.
Ellen Valter, project lead for KESKUS International Estonian Centre, provided an update on the project and shared Ambassador Margus Rava's greetings which included how Estonian business presence is evident in Kingston's built environment through Bikeep. The Ambassador also reiterated the steadfast position of the Estonian government that it stands with Ukraine.
Ellen Valter (left) reading out greetings from Ambassador Rava who was unable to attend in person, Kalle Amolins (right) providing the keynote address.
Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna video greeting to diaspora Estonians was played, and can be viewed here.
The evening ended with Estonia's national anthem and, of course, kringel. David Kalm, development manager for the KESKUS project answered questions about the project and Cassidy, Lauri and Eva went home with door prizes.
Participants departed into the snowy night, warmed by lovely company and delicious kringel by Ann Aaviku, and now ready for a white-knuckle drive home as the winter storm was well underway.
Thanks go to the Estonian Embassy in Ottawa for kindly provided the bubbly to celebrate this 107th birthday in style and to Canadian Estonian organizations Estonian Central Council, Northern Birch Credit Union and Estonian Foundation of Canada for their generous support.
KESKUS will open in about a year's time. All are encouraged to sign up for the monthly newsletter here, as we count down to opening. Here's to KESKUS supporting our network of Estonian communities and families around the world!
Help get KESKUS across the finish line!
Please join the growing list of KESKUS capital campaign donors to help bring KESKUS to completion. KESKUS leadership donors are recognized here.
There are many ways to make a contribution in support of KESKUS.
To donate, click here, or call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All donations are issued a tax receipt, in Canada via Estonian Arts Centre, US tax receipts via Myriad USA and Estonian tax receipts via Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond. Donations by credit card may be made here.
Legacy gifts made to the Estonian Arts Centre, the charity associated with KESKUS, are creative and tax-effective ways to provide support. These are known as “planned gifts” because with thoughtful planning, we create a win-win situation that benefits both you and our community for generations to come. Find out how to provide a bequest in your will by going to www.estoniancentre.ca/bequest.
For information on making other types of planned gifts, including gifts of appreciated securities or insurance policies, or if you have any other questions, please contact EAC Donations Manager Taimi Hooper via email at donations@estoniancentre.ca or phone +1.647.250.7136.
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