✨✨The XXVIII Estonian Cultural Festival Committee has the pleasure of inviting you to submit works of craft to a group exhibition showcasing the work of Estonian artists working in Australia 🤩
✨This is a call to all industrious craft groups Australia wide. It would be exciting to see co-operative, communal work exhibited as well as individual creations 🧶 🧵 🪡 ✨
✨Please complete/submit this EOI to display/sell your work at Eesti Päevad 2022 Melbourne by 25/2/22 ✨
Born : Tallinn. 30 July 1930 Died : Cowan, 20 Jan 2022
Son of Aleksander and Olga Vilder Brother of Valdemar Vilder and Valli Naelapea. Survived by his nephews in Australia , Andres and Toomas Vilder , and great-uncle to Peter, Jasper , Tristan , Yasmin, Imogen and Emeisha Vilder.
This album was digitised thanks to a grant in 2009
The National Archives of Estonia is calling for grant applications in the field of collection, preservation, and publicization of Estonian cultural heritage created by expatriates or about expatriates.
The National Archives of Estonia is calling for grant applications for projects that support the collection, preservation and publicization of Estonian cultural heritage created by expatriates or about expatriates. Cultural heritage refers to both oral and material heritage, including folklore, life stories and memories, musical tradition, documents, photographs, audiovisual heritage, publications, works of art, etc.
The call is within the framework of the Global Estonian Program, created by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The call is financed by the Estonian Government from the budget of the Ministry of Education and Research. The total size of the fund is €118,000. Both organisations and individuals can apply for support.
The following activities can be funded:
recording, indexing, describing, physically arranging, restoring, mapping and collecting (field work, acquisition actions, transport of archives), preparing for digitization, and digitizing of Estonian historical and cultural heritage created by expatriates or about expatriates in order to preserve Estonian cultural heritage and make it available to the public (on the web, in print and/or in a memory institution).
creating data collections/databases/information portals regarding the above mentioned cultural heritage.
preparing and conducting surveys;
creating websites, compiling publications and exhibitions;
developing of cultural heritage cooperation networks (organising info sessions, seminars, and other events)
counselling communities on practical archival work (organising trainings and professional guidance on archiving for Estonian communities outside of the country);
cooperation projects between Estonian and foreign memory institutions in order to arrange, describe and make available Estonian historical and cultural heritage created by expatriates or about expatriates;
research on the history and cultural heritage of the Estonian diaspora related to the collection, arrangement, or publicity of archival material or cultural heritage. NB! The application must include a list of the source materials of the proposed publication;
publication of already completed manuscripts on the Estonian diaspora. NB! The application must include a list of the source materials of the proposed publication;
preparation and distribution of information materials (in print or online) on the principles of work processes in archives, libraries and museums;
research on Estonian cultural heritage created by expatriates or about expatriates.
The application deadline is February 7, 2022 (incl.). The Archival Committee will make its decisions on 18 February 2022.
Please send your application to rahvusarhiiv@ra.ee or by mail to the following address: Rahvusarhiiv, Nooruse 3, 50411 Tartu, Estonia, quoting the reference “Global Estonian Program.“
Committee members: Mart Orav (magazine “Akadeemia,“ Chairman of the Committee), Andero Adamson (Ministry of Education and Research, Vice-Chairman of the Committee), Martin Eessalu (Ministry of Education and Research), Sirje Karis (Tartu City Museum), Lea Kõiv (Tallinn City Archives), Ilme Mäesalu (Estonian National Heritage Board), Priit Raudkivi (Tallinn University), Priit Rohtmets (University of Tartu), Jüri Viikberg (Tallinn University), Raimo Raag (Uppsala University) and Kadri Linnas (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Estonian archival centres operating abroad, whose main task is to collect, preserve and enable access to Estonian cultural heritage (including the acquisition of archives of other organisations and persons), and associations and co-operation networks of organisations established to support this goal can apply for an operating grant.
***
Rahvusarhiiv kuulutab välja toetuste taotlusvooru väliseesti kultuuripärandi kogumise, säilitamise ja kättesaadavaks tegemisega seotud tegevuste rahastamiseks. Taotlusi saab esitada 7. veebruarini 2022 (kaasa arvatud). Toetusfondi suurus on 118 000 eurot ning toetuse kasutamise periood on 01.01.2022-31.12.2022. Konkurss toimub Välisministeeriumi koostatud üleilmse eestluse programmi tegevuskava raames.
Toetust saab küsida projektidele, mille eesmärk on:
väliseesti kultuuripärandi kättesaadavaks tegemine: andmestu loomine ja täiendamine ning kättesaadavaks tegemine (infoportaalides, andmebaasides, kataloogides, nende trükis või veebis avaldamine);
väliseesti ajaloo ja kultuuripärandi uurimine ja vastavasisuliste teoste avaldamine;
väliseesti vaimse ja ainelise kultuuripärandiga seotud näituste, konverentside, seminaride jm ürituste korraldamine;
koostöö väliseesti kultuuripärandi säilitamise nimel: mälu- ja teadusasutuste koostöö; kodu- ja väliseesti seltside, organisatsioonide, korrespondentide jt kaasamine kogumisse ning infovahetusse; arhiivinduslike konverentside, seminaride, koolituste ja infopäevade korraldamine ning vastavate infomaterjalide valmistamine ja avaldamine;
kogukondade nõustamine praktilise arhiivitöö alal, nende informeerimine kultuuriväärtuste säilitamise vajalikkusest ja võimalustest;
Välismaal tegutsevad eesti arhiivikeskused, kelle põhiülesanne on väliseesti kultuuripärandi (sh teiste organisatsioonide ja isikute arhiivide) kogumine, säilitamine ja kasutamise võimaldamine ning selle eesmärgi toetamiseks loodud organisatsioonide ühendused ja koostöövõrgustikud, saavad taotleda ka tegevustoetust.
Konkursi täpsem tutvustus ja taotlusvorm on kättesaadavad Rahvusarhiivi veebist. Kontaktisik Rahvusarhiivis on Kristi Ots: kristi.ots@ra.ee, 738 7511.
Hello Mr. Juho Looveer, Members of the Association of Estonian Societies in Australia, Estonian Archives in Australia,
On the occasion of today’s important day, we greet you from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and send you warm congratulations from the snowy Tallinn on the occasion of the 70th anniversary! Happy Birthday! It is admirable that AESL and EAA, established in 1952, are still operating today. This is only possible thanks to the people who do all this in addition to their daily lives. This activity deserves great respect. We wish you, who hold the Estonian flag high in Australia, strength, success, momentum and perseverance in the future, so that this work can continue!
Happy New Year and a happy anniversary celebration!
Marin Mõttus – Special Diplomatic Representative of Global Estonia
Keit Spiegel – Adviser on Global Estonianness
Kadri Linnas – Adviser on Global Estonianness
Tere lugupeetud hr. Juho Looveer, Austraalia Eesti Seltside Liidu liikmed, Eesti Arhiiv Austraalias
Tervitame teid tänase tähtsa päeva puhul välisministeeriumist ja saadame teele soojad õnnesoovid 70. juubeli puhul lumisest Tallinnast! Palju-palju õnne! On imetlusväärne, et 1952. aastal loodud AESL ja EAA tegutsevad järjepidevalt tänaseni. See on võimalik ainult tänu inimestele, kes oma igapäevaelu kõrvalt seda kõike teevad. See tegevus on suurt austust vääriv. Soovime teile, kes te Eesti lippu Austraalias kõrgel hoiate, jõudu, edu, hoogu ja pealehakkamist edaspidiseks, et see töö jätkuks!
Head alanud aastat ja meeleolukat juubeli tähistamist!
Ago Kuru was born in Petseri on the 2nd of July 1932 to mother Salme and father Osvald.
His family escaped the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1944, and via Germany migrated to Australia in 1948.
On arriving in Australia the family was given a two year contract to work on a farm at Quirindi. Ago turned 16 at the Bathurst Migrant Camp and also received the contract. At the age of 16 he became a Jackaroo, his father a Station Hand and mother a Cook. He studied by correspondence and completed his high school externally after returning to Sydney. In 1955 he graduated as a Civil Engineer with 2nd class honours.
Ago married Viivi Teesalu in 1957 and moved into the modest concrete house his family built in Granville.
In 1958 the family moved to Cooma where Ago was employed by the Snowy Mountains Authority. As a young engineer he helped to build dams, tunnels and power stations for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. He also spent a year in Denver, Colorado in the United States for further studies for the Snowy Mountains Authority. His sons Ain and Toivo were born in 1958 and 1965 respectively.
Once the Snowy Scheme was largely built, he decided to move into construction and became the Project Manager for the Liddell Power Station, which at the time was the largest power station in Australia. The family then moved to the Pilbara in north west Australia where Ago worked on construction of massive rail infrastructure at Dampier needed to move iron ore to the coast. When this was complete it was off to Mount Isa to build the No.4 Concentrator; Kangaroo Valley for the Shoalhaven Hydro Scheme; the Steelworks at Westernport Bay; Gold Mining extraction in Mount Morgan; and finally he became a senior executive with mining company Peko Wallsend.
Ago finally retired in 1991 where he found new challenges to keep him occupied. He bought a taxi as he loved to drive and meet people.
For relaxation Ago loved playing chess and he was a very good at it. Playing chess was perhaps the only time he was sitting still.
More importantly he also took on a number of roles to support the Estonian Community. He became a member of the Sydney Estonian Society’s Committee, Chairman of the 15th Estonian Festival and Vice Chairman of the 18th Estonian Festival. He was a member of the Estonian Relief Committee for 16 years and 8 years as Chairman. He was also a member of the Estonian House Co-operative for 11 years and 2 years as Chairman. He was a member of the Estonian Men’s Choir for 21 years and president for 15 years. Ago was a Returned and Services League of Australia’s Sub-Branch member and Vice-President and several times member of The Estonian Societies in Australia.
He was also an active member of Korporatsioon UGALA, a fraternal organisation at Estonia.
In 2007 Ago was awarded the Order of the White Star by the Estonian President. The White Stars bestowed on Estonian Citizens to give recognition for services to the Estonian State.
Retirement also gave him an opportunity to reconnect with relatives and friends in Estonia. He supported many people over there, helping them gain careers and start businesses. He always made sure it was a useful endeavour that would lead to a sustainable improvement to their lives.
In his later years Ago had to deal with several health issues. He constantly surprised doctors with his ability to recover but finally succumbed on the 30th October 2021. He leaves behind his wife Viivi, sons Ain and Toivo and grandchildren Tomas, Liisa, Vivien, Veronica, Vanessa and Virginia.
Passed away peacefully on Friday 3rd December 2021, at the Mercy Care Centre Young. Much loved wife of Uino (deceased), and loved sister of Ants (John) Pärjel. Devoted mother and mother in law of Erik & Anne, Linda & Paul. Cherished Memme of her grandchildren Mak, Patrick, Annika, Albert and her step grandchildren Scott and Kristin. Sadly missed by extended family and friends both here in Australia and overseas.
Aged 81 Years Rest in Peace
A service to celebrate Reet’s life will be held on Tuesday 14th December 2021, in the South Chapel at Rookwood Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Memorial Avenue, Rookwood NSW 2141, commencing at 11.30am.
Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Due to the current Covid 19 restrictions, funeral attendees over the age of 16 must be double vaccinated. Proof of vaccination may be requested. Attendees must also adhere to the 1 person per 2 square metre rules. QR code check in and mask wearing is mandatory.
Obituary
Read Reet’s obituary Vale Reet Simmul by the Estonian Archives in Australia
Eesti Päevad 2022 warmly invites you to attend the XXVIII Estonian Festival to be held over Easter in Melbourne from 15/4/22 to 18/4/22. A number of everyone’s favourite events, old and new, have been included to engage the interest of all Estonian Australians, rekindling and strengthening friendships and celebrating all things Estonian!
15.4.2022 Dress warmly for Kilmore. Also, dress Estonian – blue-black-white, or ethnic. Or maybe you have purchased the Eesti Päevad XXVIII warm hoodie. There is an indoor area, but mostly it is the on the ground in the forest. Also, should the weather not be favourable, we may have to rearrange events, like bringing the market stools/rugs inside, but have the events outside regardless. Warm and flexible, this is what we will be.
Firstly you need to get there, to the hidden gem in the forest. You will need a map, to find the “Tervete” Latvian Scout camp site. You turn from Kilmore to Lancefield, and then drive deep into the forest. We may book a bus from Eesti Maja to Kilmore and back, but only if enough people indicate that requirement being sufficient for a booking.
First events will be for children – they wake up early, ready for action early. Karin Kapsi will gather children for singing. The same way as she has been running the kids group in Sydney.
More for the children will follow. Maarja Kamar will set them up at tables, where they listen to a story, and then draw about it. Olga Loitsenko will bring out the ball games.
Children can be entertaining to watch, but who is not up for it, however adults are welcome to mingle and meet and greet and gather around the bar. Bar is open from the moment you arrive and will not close, unless empty! The bar is set up on the bench top near the scout hall entrance by Tom Sarapuu (Adelaide) and Raul Seepter (Sydney). Cheers! You may also want to buy eesti alcohol to take home as we definitely do not get this opportunity often.
You are also welcome to bring your personal items, imagination is the limit. Bring a rug, snacks, drinks, dogs, cats, games, instruments … it is OUR picnic and it will be what we make it to be.
Next on the program will be yoga. Hope you brought your yoga mat and wear flexible clothes. Kelli Schwede completed her yoga course in September 2021, in lockdown, and is now ready to bring it out there.
Action continues under the name of “Fun and Games”. This is organised by Arno Vann, who has done it for tens of years as European Scout camp leader. We may see who wins the rope competition, we may see who can carry their wife fastest, umm … a child maybe. Some may even eventuate as winners of the competitions. Winners deserve some goodies – by Chaga.
Who is Chaga? Time to move closer to the marketplace. The market is a pop up place near the restrooms, set up by vendor rugs or tables by Estonian businesses or people selling their products.
Chaga will be the first to introduce theirs, and the others will follow. Be ready to buy some good stuff on the day, arriving from Western Australia and Queensland. If the day has been boring for you so far, you may want to buy a book and find a quiet corner to go and read – or talk with the author. There will be quite a few market stalls to explore.
Attention! Attention! Please gather round for the Eesti Päevad Opening ceremony!
Younger generation Estonians have asked, what are the traditions and customs. While in the forest, we will still follow tradition – there will be Eesti Päevad flag hand over and badge nailed, there will be church service (Sara Villarreal ) and opening speeches, including by Consulate from Canberra.
We will light the bonfire (by Sõrve Summer camp) and make the forest echo from our song and ground shake from our dance – leaving no one behind. What will we sing – Kungla Rahvas, maybe? Then we know that we have arrived, we are here to stay.
Getting to the end of the program, with the evening darkness over us, delicious aromas invite us to the kitchen for a bowl of soup prepared by Indrek Ott from Sydney, the sauna gets heated up, and the band, Rolling Stonians – five young Estonian Australians from Sydney, are ready to rock us.
Stay overnight on the grounds, in your own tent or car, or sing and dance till you drop – the grounds master Henry says – no one can see or hear you there, but eventually the day and night will end, maybe in accommodation that you have found nearby or driving back to Melbourne, to be ready for the Eesti Päevad festival day number two.
16.4.2022 At 11am, Matti Kiviväli will greet you at the Eesti Maja doorstep. If you have not done the building excursion before, it comes highly recommended. Being the world’s largest Estonian house, there are the stories to hear and rooms to see. The building is also waking up for action – the upper library is getting set up for chess (Martin Lukas), the foyer sets up for Taara shop (Aime Metsar), first floor hall starts opening their handcraft (Ingrid Renno), with the handcraft exhibition’s official opening at midday.
It will surely take an hour to see all the craft exposed, but if more time is needed – the exhibition will remain open until the end of Eesti Päevad on the afternoon of 18th April.
Let that day continue in the downstairs hall, where cafeteria is now open. Bar will be open as well. So stay and have lunch and mingle – or join in for the Literature Afternoon (Siiri Iismaa, Muusajüngrid) at the underground bar.
Cafeteria is set up by 2 Castles Master Bakers, who will serve lunch such as Pelmeni, Reuben sandwich or Bagels topped with seeds and salmon schmear, Vatrushka tarts, Pretzels, Rogliki or Canapés, etc. As for European breads – hopefully many will be ordered prior to Eesti Päevad, to be picked up then.
The next event is Stand-up comedy – Olga Loitsenko and team from Melbourne International Comedy Festival performing “Of Outsiders and Misfits“.
All are welcome to stay at the bar while the hall and stage are set for the evening concerts (Jex Saarelaht band for a mix of his own and others jazz compositions, Karin Kapsi band – Estonian based music for cello-flute-piano, last but not least – band from Estonia looks promising!)
If you do not go out to eat before these concerts – yes, there are quite a few places in the local area – and stay all day long, wanting to see more of the handcraft upstairs and play chess – then be aware that the cafeteria will be open again for the evening concerts time.
17.4.2022 Last night ended at the bar, let’s start the new day at the same place. Rehearsals time! Well, the rehearsal participants will deserve a bowl of soup once they finish. Maybe other people want a bowl of soup as well (chef – Indrek Ott) – so let’s all start the day from the kitchen.
Next events will be out of Estonian House – first we throw axes at Maniacs, Abbotsford, then head for the night at Melbourne Zoo, to dine and dance the night away. Both event names give a hint for a dress code to make it more fun, and an eesti trivia may be thrown in as well besides the good food and eesti music. Both events come with prizes for the best!
18.4.2022 Oh no, is this the last day already! Is this why the Eesti Maja hall is set so nice… and people are so beautiful, many wearing ethnic costumes! (if you forgot yours, rush upstairs to buy some from handcraft exhibition!). Your folk costumes will be photographed if you so like – for virtual archive (Mai Buchert).
The folk day will be in three parts. First set will be performers of all our song and dance groups, from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane. After interval we will listen to a concert from Kooskõlas choir. Finally we get to hear how they sang at Laulupidu!
Before the third part, I would say we take a break for lunch, but no, we will try to do it differently to avoid queues. We will have your number up near the kitchen for your food order at any time during the concerts. The meal will be a BBQ cooked outdoors (Tom Sarapuu) and as food isa ready, your number comes up.
I would also proudly mention that MC for the event will be Paul Kadak, whom we love to follow from Channel 7.
Folk Day ends in the afternoon. We can stay and mingle at the bar, and put some music on, stay on as long as we like, but … that’s it, folks.
There were many names in this story, and there are many more behind the scenes. It is OUR Eesti Päevad.
Eesti Päevad is a continuation of a long lived tradition which once again will stay in the hearts of all young and old Estonians and Estophiles in Australia.
Eesti Päevad organising committee hopes you think the plan is exciting, and invites you to be a part and make it a memorable festival.
SEE YOU IN MELBOURNE, at Easter 2022 !
Any questions, comments, suggestions, proposals, thoughts – please get in touch with Sirje on palmstudiosaus@hotmail.com
EESTI PÄEVAD XXVIII KÜSIB – kus veedad sina lihavõtte pika nädalalõpu 2022?
Melbourne’is Austraalias?
Aprill on Melbourne kuu – nädal varem on Grand Prix vormel, nädal hiljem tuleme kokku eestlased üle mandri.
Let’s talk EESTI PÄEVAD.
15ndal Aprillil saabud Kilmore metsa Melbourne lähistel. Istume mättale mängimaie nii nagu kuldsetel aegadel. Üle varjulise metsaplatsi kõlab eesti muusika, laul, tants, käivad võistlused, mängud, pakutakse suppi, avatud on eesti baar, vaatame kui hoogsale tantsule tõmbab eesti bänd, kuidas kutsub põleva halu lõhn saunast ja lõkkeplatsilt.
16ndal Aprillil avame Melbourne Eesti Maja uksed ekskurssiooniks. Maailma suurim eesti maja väärib tutvumist. Eesti Päevade ajaks on kasutuses kõik ruumid ja jääb puudugi! Ekskurssioon lõpeb baaris vestluseks, küsimusteks-vastusteks. Kui aga neid pole võib kohe minna maleruumi avatud turniirile. Võib külastada Taara poe eesti suveniiride väljamüüki. Seejärel avaneb käsitöö näitus, järgneb kirjanduse pärastlõuna. Kohvik ja baarid on avatud et mitte näljaselt vastu minna õhtustele üritustele – stand up comedy ning kontserdid. NB Läbirääkimised bändiga Eestist edenevad hästi!
17ndal Aprillil, ükskõik kui kaua veetsid eelmise õhtu Eesti Maja baaris, toimuvad hommikused harjutused festivali lõpupäevaks. Keskpäevast aga koguneme vestlusteks – workshoppideks. Round one – eesti majade tulevik. Round two – pannakse kokku Eesti – Austraalia kaubanduskoja poolt, konsulaadi poolt (kaasa arvatud passi missioon!), Global Estonian eesti välisministeeriumi poolt, ÜEKN eesti ülemaailmse katusorganisatsiooni poolt, AESL, arhiiv, keeleõpe – you name it. Kuna majas muid üritusi ei toimu, võivad vestlusringid kesta kaua huvi. Majast väljas toimub aga Kirvevõistlus ning Restoraniõhtu Melbourne loomaaias.
18ndal Aprillil toimub folk päev. Laulu ja tantsukirev, jäädvustame ka rahvariideid mida sel päeval kanname.
Palun võta siinjuures vastu kutse Eesti Päevadele, kes sa oled eestlane Austraalias, Eestis, mujal maailmas, sinu muust rahvusest sõbrale, estofiilile – see muljetavaldav event on sulle. Me pole ammu üle Austraalia kokku tulnud!
✨The XXVIII Estonian Cultural Festival Committee has the pleasure of inviting you to submit works of craft to a group exhibition showcasing the work of Estonian artists working in Australia 🤩
✨ 
Happy Birthday
