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

For further inquires please email Karin Kapsi at karinkapsi@yahoo.co.uk

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

Calling all Estonians in Australia, small business owners and organisations! Are you interested in leaving your mark by sponsoring the Eesti Päevad 2022 festival Album?

Let’s collect all that we are, all that we do and have, in the album. The Eesti Päevad 2022 ALBUM will be the mark of our time, a reference point that will last into the future.

We offer four options to promote your activity and share your information:

• Full page $100
• Half page $50
• Third of a page $30
• Individuals are welcome to send their greetings for $10.

Account details for payment:
Estonian Festival
BSB 633000
Account number 151015211

Prepare your own design and layout for A5, or send us your raw material to brigittavelbri@gmail.com

Submissions to the album will close on the 20th March to give us time to prepare the album.

Tim, Riina and Imbi’s new lives in Lismore have been totally devastated by these unprecedented floods that have inundated northern NSW. This is their first home that they moved into only seven months ago, which was to be the start of a new life. They understood the possible risks of living in Lismore, but the house they purchased was built 100 years ago and had survived floods before, the highest of these having reached the floor level of the elevated Queenslander style weatherboard house. But this flood, like nothing Lismore has ever seen before, has submerged the house (along with thousands of others) up to the roof.

Raindrop indicates Riina and Tims’s house in the first picture.

Update from the Ukrainian Council of NSW

#StandWithUkraine
Community Events Week of 7 March
Join And Support Ukraine!

Thank you all for attending community events this week.

Слава Україні! Героям Слава!

Please join the upcoming community events and support Ukraine in its hour of need! 

Event 1: Various Times – Help Ukraine Now, Martin Place

Please support! Please show our Australian Government the strength and passion of Ukrainians! 

Please remember to support the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Ukraine needs humanitarian aid more than ever.

ASX-listed Top Shelf International (TSI), via its Melbourne-distilled Grainshaker Vodka brand, has today launched the Grainshaker for Ukraine – Make Vodka not War appeal to provide support to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.

The campaign, which will run from 3 March to 26 May, was kicked off with a $50,000 donation by TSI to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. For every bottle sold, TSI will also donate $15 to the appeal and support the campaign with several promotional activities.

The vodka can be bought via the brand’s website and TSI’s venue, The Distiller, in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote.

‘Melbourne-distilled Grainshaker has brought the best of the Australian spirit to help the people of Ukraine, who are facing a humanitarian crisis because of the unprovoked and illegal Russian invasion of their country. Money raised will help us provide the Ukrainian people with emergency food, water, shelter and accommodation,’ said Ms Diahanna Senko, Director, Humanitarian Aid Initiatives, Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO).

‘The profits from Russian-made vodka go to financing the war effort in Russia. The profits from locally made Grainshaker vodka go to providing positive, proactive support to the people of Ukraine,’ said Ms Senko.

Grainshaker for Good Appeal

• Top Shelf International donation of $50k to Ukraine Crisis Appeal
• $15 donated for every bottle of specially labelled Grainshaker Vodka sold
• Grainshaker Vodka is available from grainshakervodka.com.au now or in-venue at The Distiller, 530 High St Northcote from next Monday
• From 3 March – 26 May 2022

Please purchase. Help Grainshaker and help Ukraine.

#StandWithUkraine – The Sydney Opera House is Blue and Yellow! Join And Support Ukraine!

A message from the Ukrainian Council of NSW

The NSW Government has joined support for Ukraine around the world, lighting the Sydney Opera House sails blue and yellow from 8-11pm from 28th Feb for the next week.

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Premier Dominic Perrottet will attend a #StandwithUkraine gathering at the Sydney Opera House from 8pm 1st March.

The Premier has contacted UCNSW and stated “We want to make this a global event, and show to the world that Sydney and Australia Stand with Ukraine”, and have invited ALL members of the NSW community (Ukrainian and Australian) to attend.

Please invite your Ukrainian and non Ukrainian friends and join us wearing and carrying Blue and Yellow!

Please bring electric candles if you have them!

Слава Україні! Героям Слава!

Please support! Please show our Australian Government the strength and passion of Ukrainians!

Dear compatriots!

We are celebrating the 104th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in a very complicated security situation. For a long period after restoring the independence of Estonia, the international security situation has been stable and peaceful for us. We have been able to concentrate on building our economy and society, relying on the international security architecture remaining intact, as we and our allies are standing up for it. Since 2014, the situation has been changing and now we have reached the boiling point. The current situation in Europe resembles the tensions before World War II.

Nothing less than freedom is at stake in the Ukraine crisis. I was born in occupied Estonia and therefore have a personal, albeit limited, experience of a society which was anything but free. In the thirty years after restoring our independence, we have raised a generation of young people who take the current organisation of our society for granted. During the events to celebrate our sovereignty last summer, several young people wrote to me and said that they regretted that did not know what it felt like to fight for freedom. I, in turn, thought that we must have done something right in the past thirty years if our young people no longer had to live in fear and were just like the young people in Germany or France. We had become a normal European country.

Our freedom did not arrive by itself. I am grateful to all those heads of state and government who had important roles in restoring the independence of Estonia and in maintaining our sovereignty. The lengths of the histories of the Estonian and Ukrainian statehoods are very different and our paths have also differed greatly; on the other hand, we undertook the same journeys in establishing our democratic nation states more than one hundred years ago. The futures of the nation states were planned together and Estonians followed the example of the Ukrainians up to declaring our independence. When the Congress of Minorities assembled in Kiev in 1917, it was also attended by some Estonians, including Otto Strandman, who later served two terms of office as the head of state of Estonia and whose portrait is hung in the hall of the heads of state here in the Stenbock House. The right of self-determination of nations and the consensus of the minorities created the conditions for the formation of both the Estonian and Ukrainian nation states. The People’s Republic of Ukraine became independent on 25 January 1918 and the Republic of Estonia was declared thirty days later.

In this hall, there is also a portrait of Jüri Uluots, whose sacrifices to leave his home country and ensure the continuation of the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia in exile allow us to celebrate the 104th birthday or our country tomorrow.

The fates of our countries have been different in spite of beginning together at the same time. Estonia is about celebrate its 104th anniversary and Ukraine has been independent for thirty years. Estonia is a member of the EU and NATO, whereas Ukraine is not.

In the last three decades, we have reinforced our right to sovereignty and have taken our sovereignty to the level at which we may state proudly: the independence of Estonia is permanent and inalienable. Estonia has never before been so well-protected as today. We can say so thanks to having followed the motto of Lennart Meri: ‘Never again alone’. Estonia is no longer alone, as we have many friends and allies worldwide and we are heard as equal partners. We are considered. This, along with the unwavering will of our people to defend ourselves and with our defence investments is the foundation of our security.

I am proud that we have together built Estonia, which is one of the freest countries in the world. We are free to express our opinions. We are free to protest. We are free to choose what we do. We are free to leave Estonia and to return. Even in the latest Covid year, our people have enjoyed much more freedoms than the residents of many other countries; we have kept our society open and our children at school. We have also reached the highest level in the latest ranking of economic freedom and are in the seventh place among all countries worldwide.

We have been told that we had some luck when we restored our independence and became free again, but it would be more appropriate to cite the Ancient Greek historian Thukydides here: ‘The secret of luck is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage’. We had the courage to fight for our freedom and we achieved it, we became free again.

Yet, our freedom has never been under such a serious attack in the last thirty years as it is today. Our freedom is attacked at the international level, but unfortunately also domestically. Our main threat coming from abroad is the activity of Russia. We can choose our friends, but unfortunately not our neighbours. We have for a neighbour a country which persistently continues to bully and attack its neighbouring countries. I am not aware of a single neighbour of Russia whom they have not attempted to conquer by force in their history. This results in smouldering conflicts and the facts that the neighbours of Russia are constantly forced to think about defending themselves. At the ministerial meeting of the European Union, I often think that, for some attendants, discussing security is an interesting intellectual discussion, while for us it is a daily concern. We had the wisdom, skills, and courage to apply for the NATO membership back in the day and we have been included in this defence alliance as a full member since 2004. Being included in the European Union ensures our economic and social security, the NATO membership, however, our military security.

We are well-aware of what Russia has done in Georgia and Ukraine. The increasingly growing global ambition of Russia has gained much less attention, but referring to the activity of Russia in Syria, Libya, in a large part of the African continent, and also in the cyberspace suffices. Recently, Russian attacks demands to the western countries have become increasingly aggressive, peaking with yet another attack against Ukraine. Some say that we should compromise and concede, offer something to Russia, and refrain from provoking Russia by strengthening our defence. To those people, I only have one thing to say: the NATO and the western countries have not attacked Russia and do not intend to do so. Only the Kremlin itself can alleviate the situation. The aggressive behaviour of Russia does not merely endanger Ukraine and Europe; it may motivate other countries worldwide that also desire the territories of their neighbours. Estonia as a small country is interested in a world order which is based on common rules and international law – this is the prerequisite for stable relationships between countries. It is also in our interests that one of the most important provisions of the Charter of the United Nations will remain in force – the prohibition on using and threatening to use armed forces in international relationships.

The memorial to the victims of communism in Maarjamäe reminds us how many victims the loss of our independence caused. The majority of Estonian families were affected by deportations, executions, and the destruction of property. As we have lost our independence before, we know what it means. We as a nation have experienced the violence of a foreign power. Thus, we support Ukraine politically, financially, as well as with the means required for defending themselves. At the international level, however, we must make sure than in a situation where the tensions have peaked, no such agreements would be made behind good intentions for which we would have to pay a high price. Fortunately, the western allies have remained united so far and we have managed to keep calm.

The west and the united front of the west must remain standing in this crisis and we must remain in the west. Lennart Meri has said that Europe is not geography. Europe is the unity of principles and remaining faith to the principles. The principles shape the geography: the geography does not shape the principles. We must be the solution for our allies, not a problem. Harassment of the minorities, inciting hate, trampling the rule of law under our feet, and provoked conflicts turn us into yet another problem, not a potential solution. Freedom grants rights to all. However, rights also come with responsibility. Responsibility for the functioning of the society, for respecting the freedoms and rights of others. One of the most important issues of our security is to prevent the repeating of Bronze Nights, provoked violent conflicts, in which our own Estonian police is turned into the enemy.

We must remember that difficulties have always united us as a nation. We must stick together in difficult times, as the difficult times always pass. The victory lies in the relationships between people and in being understanding or at least attempting to understand. None of us can help everyone, but each and every one of us can help someone.

We have not always been able to take independence, freedom, and welfare for granted. We cannot today, either.

Juhan Liiv has written:

Let us take care of one another and our country for our nation and the Republic of Estonia never to disappear.

Today, we have more reason than ever before to be grateful four our independence. For the independence which is symbolised by our tricolor on the top of the Pikk Herman tower. Happy approaching birthday to you, free Estonia!

Source: Speech by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for the 104th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia

Government Communication Unit

press@riik.ee

Aho Rebas
Preseident
Estonian World Council

***

Ülemaailmse Eesti Kesknõukogu pöördumine seoses Venemaa kasvava agressiooniga Ukrainas
22. veebruaril 2022

Venemaa president Putini nõue Venemaa poolt okupeeritud Ida-Ukraina Donetski ja Luhanski piirkondade “tunnustamiseks” ja “rahuvalvajate” saatmiseks on rahvusvahelise õiguse tõsine rikkumine ja käimasoleva Venemaa Ukraina vastase sõja eskaleerimine.  

21. veebruari ülekanne Putini pöördumisega, kus Venemaa president kurvastas Nõukogude Liidu kadumise pärast, viitab, et Ukraina täieulatuslik vallutamine Venemaa poolt on järjest tõenäolisem. Putin kõneles Ukraina iseseisvusest kui ajaloolistest asjaoludest tulenevast juhusest ja 2014.a demokraatlikust revolutsioonist kui vägivaldsest riigipöördest. Esitades nõudmisi NATO vägede väljaviimiseks Balti riikidest ja Ida-Euroopast ning eitades Ukraina õigust iseotsustamisele, soovib Putin tagasi pöördumist 1997.a aegsesse seisukorda Euroopas.  

Viimase kahe aastakümne jooksul on Venemaa okupeerinud osa Gruusiast, Ukrainast ja Moldovast. Tänaseks on Venemaa näol tegemist suurima ohuga Euroopa julgeolekule alates külma sõja lõppemisest. Venemaa-Ukraina piirile ja Valgevenesse on praeguseks koondatud 170 000 kuni 190 000 suurune väekontingent. Ülemaailmne Eesti Kesknõukogu kutsub NATO-t, Euroopa Liitu ja ta partnereid seisma ühtselt ja solidaarselt Ukrainaga, laiendama sõjalist ja majanduslikku abi Ukrainale ja koheselt kehtestama raskeid sanktsioone Venemaa vastu. Sellest sõltub nii demokraatliku ja vaba Ukraina kui kogu Euroopa tulevik.   

Aho Rebas
PresidentÜlemaailmne
Eesti Kesknõukogu

www.uekn.ee  

Our own Sirje Jogi was recently interviewed by Postimees about how Estonians around the world celebrate Estonian Independence Day.

On the day of the celebration, people gather at Estonian House to sing, dance and gives speeches. Today, the speeches are inspired by Estonia’s progress, but the speeches have also been sad and evil, depending on the times. We talk about Estonia’s achievements, but also about our own – we are part of Estonia. We are thinking of the departed Estonian greats in Australia, who have contributed a lot to Estonianness here and inspired others.

One such person was Sir Arvi Parbo, who was not much connected with the Estonian society due to the pace of his professional life in mining, but was always present to celebrate the anniversary of the republic. Also Arvi Vainomäe, who, as Shell’s leader, brought his strategic management experience to the Association of Estonian Societies in Australia and is still quoted. We also remember Bruno Metsari as the leader of his beloved Estonianness in Melbourne for a lifetime. We are thinking of August Sirkel, who planned to open his home to new young Estonians for his 100th birthday, but unfortunately died when he was 99 years old.

A little over a month ago, on 5 January, the Council of Estonian Societies in Australia and the Estonian Archives in Australia celebrated their 70th anniversary. At the same time, many new Estonians have settled in Australia since the 1990s, and the post-war generation has now become smaller, sometimes disappearing.

New Estonians also want to meet on Estonian holidays, such as the anniversary of the independence, Victory Day, Christmas and socializing at other times. Meetings often take place outside Estonian House as times have changed. If the membership of a society has remained small and its activities have begun to disappear, it does not have to mean the end of Estonian society, but the search for new outlets and also a sense of responsibility that Estonianness will not disappear.

***

Pidupäeval kogunetakse Eesti Majja, lauldakse, tantsitakse ja peetakse kõnesid. Tänapäeval on kõned innustatud Eesti edasiminekutest, aga kõned on olnud ka kurvad ja kurjad, olenevalt aegadest. Räägime Eesti saavutustest, aga ka enda omadest – oleme ju osa Eestist. Mõtleme lahkunud eesti suurkujudele Austraalias, kes siinmail eestlusse palju panustanud ja teisi inspi- reerinud.

Üks selline ini- mene oli Sir Arvi Parbo, kes kaevandusalase professionaalse elutempo tõttu eesti seltsiga palju seotud ei olnud, kuid oli alati kohal vabariigi aasta- päeva tähistamas. Samuti Arvi Vainomäe, kes Shelli juhina tõi oma strateegilise juhtimise kogemuse Austraalia Eesti Seltside Liitu kaasa ja keda siiani tsiteeritakse. Mälestame ka Bruno Metsarit eluaegse armastatud eestluse juhina Melbourne’is. Mõtleme omapärasele August Sirkelile, kes veel 100. sün- nipäevaks kavandas avada oma koduuksed uutele noortele eestlastele, kuid paraku jäi 99. eluaasta viimaseks.

Veidi enam kui kuu aega tagasi, 5. jaanuaril tähista- sid Austraalia Eesti Seltsi- de Liit ja Eesti Arhiiv väärikat 70 aasta juubelit. Samas on alates 1990. aastatest palju uusi eestlasi Austraaliasse elama asunud ning sõjajärgne põlvkond on praeguseks väiksemaks jäänud, kohati hoopis kadunud.

Ka uued eestlased soo- vivad kokku tulla Eesti tähtpäevadel, nagu vaba- riigi aastapäev, võidupüha- jaanipäev, jõulud ning seltskondlikult käiakse koos ka muul ajal. Tihti kohtutaksegi väljaspool Eesti Maja – ajad on muutunud. Kui mõne seltsi liikmeskond ongi väikeseks jäänud ja tegevus haka- nud hääbuma, ei pea see tähendama eestlaskonna lõppu, vaid uute väljundite otsimist ning ka vastutustunnet, et eestlus ei kaoks.

Read the entire article in Estonian here (via Postimees )