Following the stories of Estonians who find themselves in someone else’s war, the local Apkhazians are fighting to break free and escape from the war in Georgia in 1992. The Estonian village between the mountains has emptied and almost everyone has returned to their homeland. Only two men have stayed: Ivo and Margus. Margus will leave soon, and Ivo is forced to take in the wounded men left behind in a bloody conflict.

Available now: SBS On Demand – Tangerines

ESTONIAN-FINNISH SPRING FAIR FOR KIDS
Sunday, 5 November at 11am-1pm
Sydney Estonian House
Annual event with preloved kids clothes and toys for sale, activities for kids and Estonian/Finnish dishes.
FREE

Written by Lachlan Bell

Between the 13th-24th August, I was one of the lucky participants in the ‘Back to Our Roots’ Estonian Youth Exchange, an opportunity for 30 youth of Estonian origin to travel around Estonia, learning of their heritage and opportunities for work and study in Estonia.
Over the course of 11 days, I learnt of my cultural history and was able to pick up the informal language whilst being given an insight into governmental practices and local business success stories and most importantly are promoted to build a network of young Estonians from across the globe.

The 11-day program is organised by the Seiklejate Vennaskond Youth Organization, coordinated by the Estonian Youth Work Centre and financed by the Compatriots Programme of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research. The program provides all accommodation, food and activities free of charge for participants, provided they are willing to engage in the program, and anyone with Estonian roots between the ages of 18-26 from around the world is eligible to participate.

This year’s participants came from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, U.S.A, Mexico, Panama, Chile, Argentina, England, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Belarus and Ukraine, with 10 Estonians joining alongside as informal guides, teachers and family. Being from Australia (with my new Melbourne friend Annelii Vann-Wall) it was a great opportunity to meet and network with new people beyond your traditional ‘bubble’. I was able to meet people from such varied backgrounds and professions that it really made me re-evaluate what my goals are and what direction I want to take myself in.

During the trip I was able to reconnect to my culture, a side that I had only ever experienced through other people’s recounts and pictures from their time in Estonia. This was my first time in the country and it was more than I could have ever asked for from a trip to Estonia. As everyone on the trip came from various backgrounds and cultures from around the world, our common ancestry was able to bring us all together from corners around the world, a truly unique experience, allowing us to quickly form a bond that hopefully lasts a lifetime.

We visited numerous historical and cultural sites throughout Tallinn, Tartu and along the way dropped by through several rural villages to experience a more traditional and authentic lifestyle associated with the Estonian archetype. My time spent on the trip really reaffirmed the emotional connection I had already felt back here in Sydney and reminded me of how true some of the stereotypical mannerisms can be (stubbornness, dark humour, love for family). By the unfortunate end of our trip, it truly felt like I was leaving behind my new family, but I am hopeful that we will all meet in the future.

I highly recommend any Estonians between 18-26 to participate in this program, for me it was eye-opening to finally see my homeland and experience it with a group of young people that were just as enthusiastic to get as much as they could out of the trip! We were taken to startups and companies such as Garage 48, Transferwise, Maksu- ja Tolliamet as well as getting to be inside the Presidents Palace and Parliament! This was an opportunity you cannot pass up, (plus accommodation, food arrangements and activities are paid for), so what’s stopping you!

The Sydney Estonian choir Lõke has been active for 20 years this year!!

Join the celebration… book your tickets NOW!!

Lõke’s 20th Anniversary Concert & Dinner event is on Saturday 9th September from 3pm at Sydney Estonian House.

Concert & Dinner Tickets: $50 adult / $30 concession & child (12 & under)

(For CONCERT ONLY: gold coin donation, no ticket required)

**Please book your tickets by this Sunday 27th August, for catering purposes**

Tickets available at: www.trybooking.com/rhba

Contact us at: LokeSydney@gmail.com

We’d love to see you there to share this special event with us!

Lõke

Programme

3pm  Concert – “Lõngad mis meid seovad / The threads that bind us”

– 20 years of Lõke songs, memories, “Virmalised” dancing & more!

6pm  Celebration Dinner

                         – Delicious meal with the Estonian House Bar open for drinks

Then “Blackboard Concert”

                        – Bring your talent & take to the stage as all-comers get to perform!

Come celebrate Estonia’s Re-Independence Day with us on Saturday 19 August. ✨
1pm @ Latvian Hall, Bank Lane, Buranda
✨? Bring a plate to share for afternoon tea ⭐️??
?? $5/adult towards hall hire ??

The Baltic Choir will sing some of their favourite Estonian Folk songs✨?✨

Harry Ling will share with us some of his own stories and memories of Estonia… both old and new.
We encourage you to do the same… what does being Estonian or being part of the local community mean to you?

Many of us have been back “home” for summer. What did you see/do? How did it make you feel? Do you have some stories to share?

Personally, I attended the Youth Song & Dance Festivals for the first time…. what an amazing & joyous experience.

I also learnt more about my family… and met my Mother’s choir & work friends.
Quite thrilling after hearing about them all for so long.

* * * *

We will also talk about our preparations for the Scandinavian Festival, coming up on Saturday 16 September 2016.
Raffle tickets for Scandinavian Festival will be available – just $2 each!!
First prize is a fabulous trip for 2 to Scandinavia flying Emirates plus a one week stay at a private island retreat in Sweden!!
For more info go to the festival website: www.scandinavianfestival.com.au

kind regards,
Esmee Okamoto
Co-Vice President,
The Brisbane & Gold Coast Estonian Committee

Essential Estonian

A short free introduction to catchy and necessary Estonian phrases is available at lingvist.com/essential-estonian.

***

Eesootava Eesti Vabariigi 100 sünnipäeva puhul on kokku pandud üks väike, lõbus, sissejuhatav eesti keele kursus. Eesti keele selle abil suhu vaevalt saab, kuid mõned praktilised fraasid nagu “Tere!”, “Aitäh, nii maitsev!” ja icebreakerid nagu “Sõida seenele!” saab selgeks. Lisaks on kursuses sees hulgimalt kultuurikonteksti selgitusi ja pilte.

Tahtsime kursust jagada ka eesti kogukonnaga Austraalias — vahest aitab see teidki Eesti ja eesti keele tutvustamisel ning meenutamisel. Kursus on kõigile tasuta kättesaadav aadressil lingvist.com/essential-estonian

Sõrve Fundraiser – Christmas in July will be held at Sydney Estonian House on Saturday July 29 starting 6.30 pm

As you know, Sõrve was established by parents from the Estonian community in Australia more than 50 years ago as a unique opportunity for children with an Estonian background, and their friends, to experience the culture and traditions of their ancestors, as well as gain invaluable skills in sporting, cultural and leadership roles that will equip them for life.

While the cost to attend Sõrve is set by Sport and Recreation, the parents committee endeavours to keep the final per person cost to a minimum. However, for some families these fees are prohibitive. As the intention of Sõrve Sõbrad is to make the camp as inclusive as possible, the parents committee actively undertakes fundraising to assist families in attending camp.

Your support of Sõrve is invaluable in ensuring that we continue this unique experience for our families and children.

It was decided on a cold blistering afternoon, that we would take on the challenge of planning a fabulous share dinner for the Sõrve fundraiser – Christmas in July! Discussion on what to create for a mid-winter feast was very involved with Masterchef on TV in the background and numerous cookbooks scattered all over the place. As part of the kitchen cook team, Liz, Mai and Imbi have prepared many Estonian and European dishes before, specialising in pirukad, rye bread and desserts. Also joining us on this occasion will be Melissa Müller. Together, we will prepare a share plate Christmas dinner for everyone to enjoy with their family and friends and be part of the Sõrve family.

To raise funds we have the Sõrve Silent Auction, to entertain you we have Sydney Virmalised folk dancing group and Lõke singing group performing from their repertoire during the evening.

This fundraiser will be held on Saturday July 29 at Sydney Estonian House starting from 6.30pm. All are very welcome!

Menu

Upon arrival
Glass of sparkling or soft drink
Pirukad

Sharing plate for four
Entrée
Celeriac and Potato Soup *GF
Balsamic Tomato and Bocconcini Pita Bites
Marinated Olives *GF
Pickled Cucumber *GF
Garlic Rye Croutons

Main
Slow roasted Lamb *GF
Spiced Pork Belly with Mint Sauce *GF
Roasted Vegetables *GF
Brown Rice with Lentils and Dried Cranberries *GF

Dessert
Panna cotta and Jelly *GF
Coffee and Tea

Selection of wine to accompany the Share Plates
Peacock Hill – Absent Friends (white blend) and Fond Memories (red)
(wine, beer, cider & soft drinks to be purchased at the bar to compliment dinner)

Please indicate any dietary requirements
*GF Indicates Gluten Free

Tickets

Tickets on sale now at TryBookings – https://www.trybooking.com/291469
Adults – $50
Children/Concession – $30

For more information, please contact
Imbi Semmelweis/Liz Raadik
M: 0423 909 900 or Sõrve Mob: 0452 581 120
E: admin@sorve.org.au

Päris jaanituli, köievedu, siga vardas. Esinevad LÕKE (koor Sydney’st) ja KUPALEJA (Skandinaavia bänd). Tantsu õpetavad VIRMALISED (Sydney) jne! Löö kampa! Kohapeal telkimisvõimalus.

Pilet $30, sh seapraad, salat ja magustoit (joogid saab juurde osta)
Lapsed $10 (alla 12 a tasuta), pere $65 Soovi korral lisandub telkimine $10

Võta kaasa piknikutool/-laud/-lina, soovi korral oma alkohol, telk ja taskulamp. Lisainfo Facebook’i Eestlased Brisbanes lehel.

***

A genuine bonfire, pig on a spit, games, choir workshops for young & old with LÕKE (Sydney Estonian Choir), Scandinavian music by KUPALEJA, dance workshop with VIRMALISED (Sydney) and more! Join us for the afternoon or why not camp overnight?

Viking Forest, Byrnes Road N (tänava lõpus, YMCA laagrist edasi) Black Forest, Warner Bring: Picnic chairs/table/blanket, torch, tent (if you want to stay overnight), BYO alcohol.

Cost: $30 includes delicious roast pork, salad & dessert (drinks available for purchase). Children $10 (free under 12), Family $65 Overnight camping additional $10

For more info and updates follow our Facebook page “Eestlased Brisbanes”

Update

We are pleased to advise that in addition to LOKE (Sydney Estonian Choir) & KUPALEJA (Brisbane Scandinavian band)…
some dancers from VIRMALISED (Sydney Estonian Rahvatants) will also be joining us. ?
They all promise to have us up singing & dancing like professionals by the end of the day!

Come along with your friends and family… and help us keep Estonian traditions alive and thriving in Australia.

After games, music and a delicious pork roast… join us around the roaring campfire for some singing and reminiscing.

Last year we introduced something new…. we invited a few people to bake a delicious Estonian style cake in exchange for free entry.

Without even advertising this, I have had 5 people volunteer their creative baking skills!!

I have space for 2 more people… please email Esmee or register your interest via our Facebook Event – on our “Eestlased Brisbanes” page.

See you all at the Viking Forest on Saturday 3 June @ midday.

EV100

In 2018 Estonia will celebrate the centenary of her nationhood. The Council of Estonian Societies in Australia (Austraalia Eesti Seltside Liit, AESL) will create a visual / audio documentary record of the presence of Estonians in Australia, from the first arrivals before Estonian Independence, then the early immigration after World War I, followed by the influx of post World War II displaced Estonians and the most recent arrival of Estonians emigrating from a free Estonia.

The DVD will be entitled “Eestlased Austraalias – Tähistades Eesti Vabariigi 100.a. juubelit” (“Estonians in Australia – Celebrating 100 years of the Republic of Estonia”). It will be in the form of a photo-story, with musical soundtrack and audio voiceover in Estonian and English. It will be an overview of what has been, highlighting the multitude of activities, be they academic, cultural or social.

It will also be a record of achievements that can be handed down to future generations.

As a second part of the project, following completion of the DVD, a hard cover coffee table book comprising about 50 pages that contains a selection of photographs from the DVD will be produced.

The text in the coffee table book will be in Estonian and English.

We need your help!

We are looking for photos. Perhaps you have some interesting photos that would be suitable and could be used for this project.

If so, please contact Madis Alvre: madis.alvre@optusnet.com.au or 0418 484 769.