Estonian Society of Sydney, Inc, and Finnish Society of Sydney, Inc, welcome you to celebrate the Nordic spring at the Estonian House Sydney (141 Campbell St, Surry Hills) on May 4th 6pm.

Estonian House Sydney

Thursday 18th April

6pm to 10pm

I wanted to say:
This time we get together and will do an old style Estonian Club night.
For dinner we are cooking bangers and mash in our own way. We drink
Estonian beer and catch up with old Estonian mates. There are rumours
that this time some Finnish mates are joining us too..

Google translator think I said:
This time we get together and do yhe old and conventional E-Club
of danger. At dinner, we make a simple but pleasant food – lightly
smoked cheese sausages with potato porridge, or in the middle of
koikenagev eye. Local names for dishes like Bangers and Mash – our
doing this sort.

Coming soon:
25/04 Anzac Day – Estonian club doors are open from 3pm-10pm
28/04 Estonian General Market at 11am-3pm.

****

Seekord saame kokku ja teeme yhe vana ja tavaparase E-Klubi ohtu. Ohtusoogiks teeme lihtsa, kuid meeldiva toidu – kergelt suitsetatud juustu viinerid kartulipudruga, mille keskel on koikenagev voisilm. Kohalikud nimetavad sarnast rooga Bangers and Mash – meie teeme seda omamoodi.

Lisaks sellele joome Saku olut, saame osta Eesti Shokolaade ja koikvoimalikku muud ninni-nanni ning lisaks vanade soprade jorinale mangib taustaks Eesti muusika!

Kylapeal liiguvad jutud et seekord tulevad ka soomlased meile kylla..

Tulevased yritused:

25 aprill Anzac Day – E-Klubi on avatud kella 3-st kuni kella 22-ni
28 aprill suurejooneline turupaev!!! Uksed avatud 11-15.00

Early in April in a tiny city in the south of one of the biggest continents in the Southern Hemisphere a small group of Estonians held an evening known as ‘Sala Kõrst’ it is otherwise known as Esto Pub Night.

Although this was the EPN 26, the 6th year of the tradition and also the first for 2013, the intent was to keep it vey quiet! Well what another dynamic success for Thomas Sarapuu and his fabulous team, the club rooms were heaving. This certainly was a first for ‘Kalev on Jeffcott’ and we are suspecting it was another first for the Southern Hemisphere Estonian Community, we had a great evening with over 80% of attendees of the ‘Y Generation’ with a possibility of one or two very close… The real back packers from Estonia have finally found South Australia and the ‘Green Room’ team were absolutely superb in assisting the head Chef. Well the ‘Saku Kana’ and the ‘Hiuumaa Salatid’ were a masterstroke.

Late in the evening another tradition evolved. Thank you Amy we have not seen the traditional spontaneous ‘Tuljak’ and other folk-dancing classics for over 6-7 EPN’s. Well this was the highlight but the team behind the bar and their antics were certainly a feature, but this really is what the crowd is there to expect. Hard to admit but we did have some help from down in NSW with young Peter Maasepp helping our folk-dancing performance, well done Peter! Looking forward to seeing you and others at Estovision!

Well here in Adelaide at ‘Kalev on Jeffcott’ Estovision continues as an institution. The tradition continues… We have the opportunity to see the Estonian contestant, who is performing in the first semifinal and we will see this in Friday May 17th. Yes this is the date of the next Esto Pub Night here at ‘Kalev on Jeffcott’ but we do like to keep it quiet! Just remember the food will be of an amazing Estonian standard and the crowd will be ‘small’. The atmosphere well it will also be conservative, it is a great chance to mingle with your Estonian friends.

Birgit Õigemeel was born in 1988 in Kohila, Estonia she is an Estonian singer and has the advanced history of being the first winner of ‘Estonian Idol’ or Eesti otsib superstaari. Well what else there to say, we here at ‘Kalev on Jeffcott’ are ready to give our full support.

Remember, we have the cheapest ‘Viru Valge’ and ‘Saku Kuld’ in the Southern Hemisphere! Esto Pub Night or Estovision is on Friday the 17th of May. You do not have to book tickets! Just chat to your friends and arrive early to secure a seat near one of our multiple screens…. If not drop in, stay for a drink at the bar, or pass though after being out elsewhere. Kalev on Jeffcott is centrally located in Adelaide most people stay for the evening…

ESTONIANS IN AUSTRALIA

BY MAIE BARROW

Publisher: Council of Estonian Societies in Australia,

Price $5 + postage

Reviewed by Marika Tiggemann

Last night I finally opened and spent a pleasurable hour or so reading my fresh new copy of Estonians in Australia. It gave me much to ponder on, and I have continued to think about the various characters, events and times depicted (and where my parents and I myself fit in), throughout the day. I expect it will have the same effect on others of Estonian heritage.

Published by the Estonian Council of Estonian Societies in Australia, Estonians in Australia is a handsome slim volume. It offers an overview of the history of Estonians in Australia in an accessible and pictorial form. This is quite a long history, well over 100 years, with consideration of the different waves of Estonian immigration into Australia. For example, we hear of characters like Evan Lumme who jumped ship (having escaped going into the Czar’s army) in the 1890s. Much of the volume focuses on the activities of the Post World War II migrants (mostly displaced persons, like my parents), and the establishment of Estonian societies and the accompanying cultural activities that Estonians love, including song, dance, language, sport, and scouts.

The history is there, written in plain clear prose (in English) and meticulously researched by Maie Barrow, the archivist of the Estonian Archives in Australia. But what really makes this volume are the beautiful photographs sourced from the Archives. These breathe life into the stories. In addition, although scholarly, what comes through is the author’s enthusiasm for her work and tenderness toward her subjects.

In short, this slim booklet provides a good concise introduction to the history of Estonians in Australia. It is attractively produced and can be read quite quickly or dipped into or savoured slowly. It provides a valuable historical record for all those of Estonian heritage. In addition, it should prove of interest to their friends and extended family, as well as those interested in the making of Australian society more broadly.

Of course, the history of Estonians in Australia is far from finished. Since the newlyfound independence of Estonia, thousands of young Estonians have visited Australia, and some have stayed to enrich our communities. It also seems that an increasing number of young Australians are taking an interest in their Estonian heritage. This little book is also for them.

Estonians in Australia by Maie Barrow is available for $5 plus postage from the:

• Council of Estonian Societies in Australia: Iivo Tuul – Tel:08 8261 2574 or email tuul@optusnet.com.au; or
• Estonian Archives in Australia: Maie Barrow – email archives@eesti.org.au

Consulate General of Estonia in Sydney and Estonian Society of Sydney cordially invite you to welcome and meet The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir next Tuesday 2nd of April 6pm at Estonian House Sydney (141 Campbell St, Surry Hills).

This is a great opportunity to meet one of the most accomplished choirs in the world. The choir is in Sydney to perform as part of Arvo Pärt concert on April 7th at the Sydney Opera House.

Everybody is welcome!

A new Estonian course is available online and free of charge!  Here is your chance to learn Estonian in your own house at your own pace!

From the website: https://www.keeleklikk.ee/front/ru_RU/

Keeleklikk is a modern online Estonian course for beginners that is suitable for individual study and also for classroom use. Keeleklikk targets adult learners who want to learn how to communicate in everyday situations.

The course consists of 16 comprehensive language learning units that include a total of 200 animations, over 100 videos that explain grammar and roughly 1200 exercises. Keeleklikk also features a real Estonian teacher with whom students can exchange letters via e-mail.

The project has been financed by the European Social Fund and the Estonian Ministry of Education and Science, and it is free of charge for anyone who wishes to use it.

In 2010-2012 the version for Russian-speaking learners was developed and already it has more than 12 000 active users!

In 2013-2014 the course will be translated and amended to meet the needs of English-speaking learners. Units will be made available for users one by one in the order in which they are completed.

The development of Keeleklikk has been a team effort, and more than 50 different experts have contributed to its completion.

The course is available at https://www.keeleklikk.ee

Letters to Angel’ (Kirjad inglile), Friday the 5th of April 7pm

This is a film only for the adults, and it is not a film to be missed.

With a directorial style not dissimilar from that of David Lynch (think of ‘Wild at Heart’) but more down-to-earth, director Sulev Keedus has created a story which is layered in spirituality and subtle messaging. The storyline throughout the movie can leave the viewer perplexed and inconclusive at times, however going the distance on this film becomes rewarding, as the story becomes more surreal, it is counter balanced by imagery which is visceral and beautifully shot. Answers will be given and you will be left with a story that seeps into you for days to come.

As always, doors open at 6pm, fill rolls at 7pm.

Tickets are $7 at the door ($5 for SES current members)

For more info see Kino’s website  – Letters to Angel’ (Kirjad inglile), Friday the 5th of April 7pm

‘Sala Kõrts’ is back in 2013

We realise you have had to wait until April in 2013. After the fantastic Esto Festival functions over the December period the team has taken a well earned rest.

Tom Sarapuu and his team have been overwhelmed by enquiries for the next EPN. The team has decided to go back to the original concept of Estonian Saturday night Pub Nights or evenings.

Sala Kõrsts refers to a ‘Secret or Exclusive Bar’ the meaning may be lost in translation but come and see what it is all about. We will have the usual great Estonian food available, the cheapest Estonian drinks available in the Southern Hemisphere and a chance to meet great Estonians. Put Saturday April the 6th into your diary.

Remember, drop in for 20 minutes or stay for the evening. Drop in after being out elsewhere. ‘Kalev on Jeffcott’ is centrally located close to the city, parking is easy. Meet friendly Estonians. This is a night not to miss.

The answer can be found in Meie Kodu, which is now available as a digitised copy from the web site of the National Library of Australia.

The Estonian Archives in Australia has joined forces with the National Library of Australia to ensure Meie Kodu is available for everyone to read now and into the future.
Meie Kodu from 1949 to 1954 has been digitised as part of the National Library’s Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program and is now available to read online at http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper.

The cost of digitising the first five years of Meie Kodu has been borne by the Estonian Archives in Australia.

The digitisation has been undertaken as part of a National Library of Australia programme available to all libraries, community groups and other organisations, to digitise selected newspaper titles. This service has provided free online access to over 6 million pages from around 270 Australian newspapers from every state and territory.
What makes the project so exciting is that the result of the digitisation is not just a PDF copy of the newspaper. All issues that are available on-line as part of this project are fully text searchable. Using a powerful search engine, users type in a term they want to search. They can limit the search by date and newspaper and even type of report such as ‘Headline’, or ‘Article’ or ‘Advertising’. In this case, ‘leib’ turned up a number of references, some to articles using the term, but also to advertisements for stores selling it. For example, an advertisement for a new European-style delicatessen opened by E Tähtra at 148 Cabramatta Road, Cabramatta appeared in the issue of 22 January 1953. People looking for references to relatives, ancestors or family in these issues of Meie Kodu can search by their names.

The co-operation of Meie Kodu, which kindly gave copyright permission to allow the copies of Meie Kodu to be digitised and made available on the Internet, is gratefully acknowledged by the Estonian Archives in Australia. It is hoped that later issues after 1954 will be digitised as well making them available to all. However, this will need financial assistance from the Estonian community. The Estonian Archives in Australia hopes to set up a scheme seeking donations to fund further digitisation.

‘Working with the National Library to digitise Meie Kodu makes a valuable historical resource freely available to anyone who wants to research Estonians in Australia from the comfort of their own home’, observed Dr Terry Kass, chairman of the Council of the Estonian Archives in Australia. ‘Historians, researchers, family historians and many others have been using TROVE since it started in 2008. It has already revolutionised historical research by increasing the quantity of historical data that can be found on-line. It has made historical research in regional Australia, where people do not have ready access to major libraries or archives, so much easier. Now those of Estonian descent may also benefit from this resource.’

The program is closely linked with the Australian Newspaper Plan (http://www.nla.gov.au/anplan), a cooperative endeavour to collect, preserve and provide access to Australian newspapers.

Access to digitised newspapers including Meie Kodu is through the National Library’s free discovery service, Trove (http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper). By searching in TROVE, users can easily find other information such as books, pictures, maps and sound recordings.
It’s free to all users. Why not try a search? You might find more than you imagined.

Dr Terry Kass
Chairman, Council of the Estonian Archives in Australia

Source: Meie Kodu http://mk.eestiselts.org/Where_did_you_buy_Estonian_black_b_476.htm

The Estonia Public Broadcasting site has all the songs available to listen!  Listen to them now at Poolfinalistid 2013.

The final will be held on March the 2nd to decide Estonia’s representative for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest!

On Sunday evening, February 24, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivered his traditional address to the nation on the occasion of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.

© Andres Putting

Dear friends,

Dear Estonian people across the world, in your homes and here, in this hall,

Today, on the 95th anniversary of Estonia, the thought of independence has, once again, become natural. It neither requires interpretation nor explanation because it is a basic truth.

Just as freedom is no longer something to strive for, there is also no other possible alternative, at least not for us, not for Estonia. The idea of Estonia’s freedom has become perpetual. And this is the way it should be.

Read the full speech here President’s Independence Day Address: Full Text