Every year, around 14th June, Baltic communities all over the world commemorate mass-deportations from their homelands by occupying forces of the Soviet Union, to the Soviet gulag starting on the 14th of June, 1941 and continuing after WWII.
In Sydney, Australians of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian descent, from many areas, near and far, gather at the Latvian Centre in Strathfield to commemorate the genocide which befell their people. They invite Members of Parliament, civic and community leaders and friends to join them on this, the Baltic communities’ day of mourning and remembrance.
This year marks the 81st anniversary of the first forced mass-deportations of Baltic people by Soviet forces. The commemoration is particularly relevant in the light of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Join us for the evening or overnight to celebrate Jaanipäev, in true Estonian style.
When Saturday 25th June, 5pm
Where Pikkat’s Property 37 Grevillea Place, Colo Vale NSW 2575
Tickets
$25 – Adult including event and dinner
$15 – Child (under 18) including event and dinner
$35 – Adult including event, dinner and breakfast
$25 – Child including event, dinner and breakfast
*If you are camping on site, please bring your own tent and sleeping gear. Camping space and amenities provided *Please allow aprox. 1.5hrs driving time each way (we are in the country, where big fires can happen) *Please BYO drinks, as there will be none available for purchase
Expressions of interest are now being sought from individuals and organisations who wish to apply for funding of projects which satisfy the objectives of the Foundation.
The ECFA supports Estonian cultural activities nationwide. In previous years, the ECFA has supported organisations including :
‘Sõrve’ Estonian Children’s Summer Camp
Hans Ots Award for subsidising costs of attending Sõrve for children living outside Sydney
Estonian Archives in Australia
Brisbane Playground Group
‘Kooskõlas’ Mixed Choir
‘Eesti Päevad’ Estonian Festivals
AESL book and DVD “Estonians in Australia 100 years”
For more information on the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia, the selection criteria and to download the applications forms please visit the ECFA (Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia) website:
The Estonian Relief Committee (ERC) was formed in 1945 at the end of WWII to help Estonian refugees in war-torn Europe. Initially it provided parcels of food and clothing but later branched out into arranging landing permits for people to come to Australia and providing financial help when needed.
The ERC raised funds by organising formal balls and having an annual fundraising drive.
In the 1950s it was decided to build a retirement village. The ERC bought land in Thirlmere where there was an active Estonian community. Funds raised by the ERC were matched by the government. The village was opened in 1967 and continued to grow and prosper over many years.
Unfortunately high costs, problems with funding and changes in government regulations made running the village by volunteers increasingly difficult and in 2012 the ERC sold the village to RSL life.
With those funds and later monies from the sale of the Estonian House in Thirlmere, the ERC looked to the future. To fit the new goals of the organisation the ERC changed its name to the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia (ECFA). Membership is open to all Australian citizens who support the objects of the Foundation.
The ECFA supports Estonian cultural activities nationwide. The grants are advertised annually, usually in May, and close in June. Both organisations and individuals are welcome to apply for the grants. Over the last three years, the ECFA has funded activities totalling over $50,000. 2022 – $17,550 2021 – $20,250 2020 – $17,652
ECFA production support for the Eesti Päevad 2022 festival albumSydney Estonian Handicraft Association Digital Archive of Estonian Folk Costumes in AustraliaAdelaide Eesti Selts uniforms for Hapu Koor choirEstonian Children’s Playgroup (Sydney Mudilasring)“Sõrve” Childrens’ summer camp
Nationwide the Foundation has supported organisations including the:
Childrens’ summer camp “Sõrve”
Hans Ots Award for subsidising costs of attending Sõrve for children living outside Sydney
Estonian Archives in Australia
Choir “Kooskõlas
Estonian Festivals
AESL book and DVD “Estonians in Australia 100 years” which was a gift from the Estonian community in Australia to Estonia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of independence
Australian Estonian newspaper “Meie Kodu”
The Foundation has in recent years supported the following organisations across Australia:
NSW
Sydney Estonian House Co-operative Society
Folkdancers “Virmalised”
the SES Handicrafts Association
Singing ensemble “Lõke”
Estonian Children’s Playgroup (Sydney Mudilasring)
Sydney Estonian Parents’ and Friends’ Association – ‘Sõrve Sõbrad’
SA
The choir “Hapukoor”
QLD
Brisbane Playgroup
The ECFA has also supported individual projects such as:
Virge Nielsen organising the “Baltic Artists in Australia – Celebrating 100 Years” , a retrospective group exhibition of artists living and working in Australia, with origins from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at the NSW House of Parliament
Tiina Alvre digitising SES records
Aksel Haagensen’s production of a documentary film regarding Estonian refugees in Australia
The ECFA supports language, dance, music, handicraft, art, literature and history but does not fund commercial activities or personal salaries. We welcome submissions from all over Australia that support the aims to facilitate the promotion of Estonian culture in Australia.
Grant applications will be opening shortly. An announcement will be made on our website, on eesti.org.au and various Estonian Social Media groups
For more details on the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia, including membership and grant information, please visit our website at http://ecfa.eesti.org.au
nublu and Gameboy Tetris are young and very popular Estonian rap & hip hop artists. nublu has won multiple awards and been crowned the Best Male Artist of 2018 in Estonia. nublu and Gameboy Tetris have been performing together for many years and their witty and catchy songs are well suited for both, Estonian and English audiences. Don’t miss out on their first live performance in Australia!
Good concert demands a good sound and lighting… Siiri and Dave will be taking care that the concert will be spectacular.
Siiri Metsar has a solid reputation in studio recording as well as in live music production in Australia and overseas. Her work has encompassed all things audio, from the demands of popular Australian music festivals and international touring, to audio production in many of Melbourne’s theatres and halls, to long-standing associations with the prestigious Famous Spiegeltent and Strut & Fret Production House, various Australian festivals including Maldon and Port Fairy Folk Festivals, Stringybark, Adelaide Fringe Festival and Woodford Folk Festival etc.
Baltic Folk jewelry will preview it’s first collection at Eesti Päevad Melbourne April 15-18, 2022. Anne Barratt and 2nd cousin and God-Daughter Kati-Rose Savi are the founders and designers behind this business. Both are of Estonian heritage and draw on this culture and its traditions for their inspiration to create quality modern heirloom pieces at an affordable price.
Kati-Rose and Anne have a penchant for traditional Estonian jewelry which is made to compliment national costumes from different regions of the country. Both also loving more contemporary jewelry, couldn’t find what they wanted for themselves so decided to create something, and birthed Baltic Folk and their Signature Collection. A second collection is already in the pipe line.
The Signature Collection comprises of 9 individual pieces made from high quality 935 Argentium Silver, with findings such as clasps and hooks made with 925 Stirling Silver. The number represents the part per 1000 of silver.
The key motifs in this Collection are The North Star and Rose. The North Star has long been used by navigators as their guiding light, and the rose is a symbol of pure love.
The designs are also to suit all genders, and can be worn together, or mix and match by stacking the Folk Flower Bar for example with the Baltic Amulet. The sizing is also purposefully created to fit hands of a larger European size.
The Melbourne Eesti Päevad is a 4 day event and Baltic Folk will exhibit each day. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances stock will not be ready to sell, however there will be one complete set so people can come and try on for size, and then order a little later via the online store at www.balticfolk.com.au.
Traditionally these Australian Estonian festivals are held once every three years, rotating between Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. A similar bigger World Estonian song and dance festival is held every four years in Tallinn Estonia. Kati-Rose, Anne, her husband and their dance troupe Virmalised (translates to North Lights) had the honour of participating in this event. It was the first time in over 60 years that an Australian troupe had been selected through their strict audition process.
Anne says: “It took a lot of physical work and stamina but it was well worth it, and a highlight of our life experiences that will stay with us forever. Our next aim is to take Baltic Folk there to exhibit at the market held at the Song Festival”.
You can register your interest on the Baltic Folk web page to be notified once the online store goes live – www.balticfolk.com.au
Now, more than ever, the world needs music and beauty – together, we will celebrate the music of Ukraine and Estonia, with all proceeds going to aid the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
If you would like to donate directly to Red Cross you can do that here:
All proceeds will be donated to the Australian Red Cross Ukrainian crisis appeal. This event is sponsored by the Estonian Society of Sydney, Euro Drinks and a team of wonderful volunteers helping on the event.
Tritona is a flute, guitar, cello trio who came together in the Spring of 2019 in Sydney and launched their baby Tritona – with a repertoire consisting of both classical and contemporary sprinkled with some jazz and pop tunes. You can read more about the members Anežka Beščecová (flute), Karin Kapsi (cello) and Van Leucia (guitar) on their website here: Tritona
LISATEAVE / EVENT DETAILS Kuupäev: reede 1. aprill / Date: Friday, 1 April Etendus algab: 19:00 / Performance starts: 7:00pm Asukoht: Eesti Maja / Location: Estonian House Sydney Sissepääs: rahaline annetus / Admission: cash donation
Lee Stewart is an Estonian artist currently living and working in Australia. As part of Art Month Sydney, a local group of artists called Woodburn Creatives is organizing a group exhibition. Lee invites the Australian/Estonian community to the opening on Friday, 18th March:
Opening
Friday, March 18 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm 1 Woodburn St, Redfern NSW 2016 Artists will be available from 6:30 pm.
The exhibition will run from the 18th to the 31st March.
Art Month Exhibition & Open Studios
As part of Art Month Sydney, Woodburn Creatives in Gadigal Land presents an Open studios/art exhibition, across two sites from 18-31 March 2022. Immerse yourself in this collective show within walking distance of Redfern studio and Waterloo studio. Kicking off with the opening night on 18th March from 4-10pm, it will be a chance to see the studios, dynamic artworks and meet the artists.
The show includes artworks from 16 artists working across different media, from paint, inks, fabrics, clay to film. It is an eclectic array of practices and perspectives, exploring different facets of Sydney’s Art Scene. You will see artworks from new arrivals, emerging artists and established ones. The curation reflects the diverse experiences, perceptions and intimate responses of artists working in the Redfern/Waterloo area. We are opening up the doors for everyone to network, collaborate and promote the artists.
Featuring: Ryan Donnelly, Meagan Swack, Emmeline Morris, Billie Robertson, Luke Thurgate, Leanne Xiu, Will Dey, Hepa Taahi, Morgan Stokes, Lee Stewart, Jenny Robinson, Cameron Mcmurray, Brett Frizelle, Veronica Restrepo, Guy Verge Wallace and Camila Carmody.
From 18-31 March, Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm Saturday to Sunday 10am – 4pm
