I am currently the Vice Chairman of the Seltside Liit, that is the Council of Estonian Societies in Australia and Coordinator of the Annual Relief Appeal i.e. Rahvuskapital. Every 3 years the AESL changes hands and is managed between Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Currently Adelaide is in its second year.

These funds raised from our Annual Appeal provide financial support to organisations that are concerned with promoting Estonian culture and language in Australia. For example the following sums are received;

• Archives ($3000),
• Meie Kodu ($8000),
• Virgats ($1300) and
• Sõrve ($3000).

Without the donations the work of organizations would be reduced or simply not be able to exist.

Recently I came across some correspondence that prompted me to write this article. The timing could not have been more perfect with the launch of our Appeal. A comment was made that the focus of any fundraising should be aimed at the “older generation”, meaning the over 65’s. Other comments reflected no knowledge of what it was about at all.

It is somewhat disconcerting that amongst the first and second generation Australian Estonians, there appears to be either no understanding of what Rahvuskapital and the Seltside Liit are about or there is the perception that it is responsibility of the older Estonian born generation to continue to provide the basis of funding for our organisations.

Yet it is their children and their grandchildren who benefit most from this!

Sydney ran a very successful Eesti Päevad recently but not many people are aware they received $10,000 loan in funding from the Liit to do so as did Adelaide and Melbourne prior to this. As part of the Adelaide organising committee we simply would not have been able to run the festival at all without this financial assistance. This loan is usually then repaid at the conclusion of the Festival.

Many of our community who enjoy what the Estonian organisations provide are under 65, working and often better off financially than their parents. Yet they generally do not donate. Two years ago I am ashamed to say that I knew very little about Rahvuskapital and I could also be seen as ill informed as anybody else and any donations I did make were pitiful.

Last year’s appeal was a bit less successful than previous years, but still brought in $6895, leaving a very large deficit. While the gap was covered by interest and capital withdrawals from A. Kaljo Fund, this is being reduced each year, highlighting the need to raise substantially more funds.

We are asking you to be generous and not rely on your parents and grandparents to donate so you can enjoy Eesti päevad or have a break when your kids go Sõrve.

Please donate wither by cheque/money order or direct debit.

Cheques/Money Orders
To be made out to Council of Estonian Societies in Australia and posted to:

AESL Appeal treasurer Eve Smart
116 Folkestone Road
Dover Gardens SA 5048

Direct Debit
For you convenience it is possible to transfer donations directly to our bank account.

Bank: Commonwealth Bank Account
BSB: 062 233
Account Number: 1006-2870

Donors

All donors names and sums donated will be listed in the “Meie Kodu” newspaper, unless one chooses to remain anonymous.

The Appeal will close on the 30th of June 2013

Anneliis Martinson
AESL vice-chairman
Email amartinson@adelaide.on.net

Article from

Leen Rampe (née Võrno) and Siimon Rampe are a wife-husband team passionate about Estonian film. They have run monthly film sessions called KiNO! nights at the Sydney Estonian Cultural House for over a year now and finished 2012 off with an Estonian Film Festival in Australia.

Leen has a Master’s degree in Scenography from the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has worked for several years as a set and costume designer as well as Art Director for Estonian movies and TV ads. Leen moved to Sydney in 2008 and now works at the Museum of Contemporary Art as well as for the annual Sculpture by the Sea festival.

Siimon is from Wollongong, an hour south of Sydney but has lived in Sydney most of his adult life. Having started an internet communications degree, he has never studied art in any medium, but naturally gravitates towards it. He has been a keen surfer for most of his life and is currently working as a stevedore. Siimon is a dedicated family man who would love to move to Estonia with his family one day (despite no surfing there).

I talked to them both about their love for film and tried to find out their motivation behind doing such an admirable job in promoting Estonian cinematography.

Read the entire article at Estonian World
Estonian Film Ambassadors in Australia

COMING EVENTS AT ESTONIAN HOUSE (February, March, April)

LADIES FOLKDANCING GROUP “SÜGISLILLED” PRACTICE
SATURDAY 9th February 2013 at 1.00 pm.
Ladies folkdancers meet every second Saturday of the month. Next dates are 9th March and 13th April.
New dancers welcome!
Information: Milvi Vaikma 9300 2492.

ETHNOGRAPHIC HANDICRAFT SOCIETY
SATURDAY 9th February 2013 at 2 pm.
The group meets on the second Saturday of every month. Next meetings: 9th March, 13. April 2013.
Information: Aime Metsar 9836 0516.

ESTONIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES
WEDNESDAY 13th February 2013 at 5.30 – 7.00 pm.
Learn Estonian! Classes held every Wednesday.
Teacher and information: Sirje Jõgi 0458 400 620.

LADIES CHOIR PRACTICE
WEDNESDAY 13th February 2013 at 7.00 pm.
Rehearsals will be conducted each Wednesday at 7.00 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: No practice on 13th and 20th March, as Estonian House is fully booked by “Brunswick Music Festival”.
Information: Hilja Toom 9398 1321, Milvi Vaikma 9300 2492.

SENIORS CLUB
THURSDAY 14th February 2013 at 1.00 pm.
Get-togethers are held 2nd and 4th Thurday of each month. Next: 28th. February, 28th. March, 11th and 25th April 2013. PLEASE NOTE: No get-together on 14th March 2013, due to bus trip..
Information Bruno Metsar 9836 0516.

EESTI MAJA “SOCIAL CLUB” NIGHT
FRIDAY 15th February 2013 at 7.30 pm.
Next club night 19th April 2013 (No club night in March)
Information: Sirje Jõgi 0458 400 620

REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
SUNDAY 24th February 2013. Admission free.
Speech by Arvi Vainomäe and the Ladies choir will perform.
After the celebration there will be a video film in the upstairs hall, showing “Klass 1943 Unustatud mälestused”.(Forgotten Memories”) Suitable for non-Estonian speakers. Very interesting documentary.
Enrty fee, with light meal $ 10.00. Video showing at 4.30. One hour duration.. You are welcome!

MUSICAL AFTERNOON
SUNDAY 10th March 2013 at 1.00 pm.
Come and join the fun! Be entertained in a night club atmosphere by local entertainers, followed by a Taevo Vaikma compiled video featuring some of Estonian’s best pop singers!
Nibbles, cake & drinks available to purchase, Guaranteed enjoyment for all ages! Entry fee only $ 5.00.

BUS TOUR
THURSDAY, 14th March 2013 Nunawading Civic Centre at 9.15, Estonian House at 9.45
Visiting Kilmore Myriad Glass Studio and rescue farm animals. Bus tour, including lunch is free to our society members. Information and bookings: Bruno Metsar by 1st March 2013..

VIDEO AFTERNOON
SUNDAY 14th April 2013 at 1.00 pm.
Featuring Estonian video “Viimne reliikvia”

M.E.Ü. “KODU” ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SUNDAY, 14th April 2013 at 4.00 pm. (after the video showing)
Please take this as an invitation.

NEWS
Consul General Triinu Rajasalu will be in Melbourne on Monday evening 25th February and Tuesday 26th February. Registration for appointment contact Consul General (Sydney) 02 8014 8999.

WANT TO LEARN FOLKDANCING?
We are starting a childrens folkdance group. Those interested contact Sirje 0458 400 620.
Older group contact Matti Kiviväli tel: 0418 841 480, e-mail kivivali@optusnet.com.au

NEW MEMBER
We welcome Lembit Marder.

RECENTLY DECEASED MEMBERS
M.E.Ü. “Kodu” Honorary Member Erna Piik, Daisy Mark.

DELETED FROM MEMBERSHIP
Left Melbourne: Karin Adams, Endel Jõgi, Ants Pottmann.,
Members who have not paid their membership fee, after the third reminder; Helve Cann,
Kaja Freimann, Ene-Mai Reinpuu, Irene Rosenberg, Ivar Sers, Pehi Slomon.

NEXT NEWSLKETTER
The next newsletter will be published at the beginning of May 2013. All items to be included in the next Newsletter must be sent to committee members by 15th April 2013, or to
B. Metsar 5 Prowse Avenue Balwyn, Vic. 3103. Telephone 9836 0516.
e-mail: metsar@hotkey.net.au

COMING EVENTS IN ESTONIAN HOUSE
Sunday 24.2.2013 at 3.00 pm. Estonian Independence Day
Sunday 24.2.2013 at 5.30 pm. Video afternoon
Sunday 10.3.2013 at 1.00 pm. Musical afternoon
Sunday 14.4.2013 at 1.00 pm. Video afternoon
Sunday 14.4.2013 at 3.00pm. M.E.Ü. “Kodu” Annual General Meeting

***

MIS JUHTUB EESTI MAJAS KOLME KUU JOOKSUL (veebruar, märts, aprill)

NAISTE RAHVATANTSU RÜHM “SÜGISLILLED” TANTSUHARJUTUSLAUPÄEVAL, 9. VEEBRUARIL 2013, kell 13.00
Harjutused toimuvad iga kuu teisel laupäeval. Kestvus 1 tund.
Informatsioon: Milvi Vaikma 9300 2492.

ETNOGRAAFIA KÄSITÖÖRINGI KOKKUTULEK
LAUPÄEVAL, 9. VEEBRUARIL 2013, kell 14.00
Kokkutulekud on iga kuu teisel laupäeval.
Järgmised kokkutulekud on: 9. märts, 13. aprill 2013.
Informatsioon: Aime Metsar 9836 0516

EESTI KEELE KLASS
KOLMAPÄEVAL, 13. VEEBRUARIL 2013, kell 17.30 – 19.00.
Õpetaja ja informatsioon: Sirje Jõgi 0458 400 620.

M.E.Ü. “KODU” NAISKOORI LALUHARJUTUS
KOLMAPÄEVAL, 13. VEEBRUARIL 2013, kell 19.00
Lauluharjutused toimuvad kolmapäeva õhtul.
Märkus: 13 ja 20 märtsil lauluharjutust ei toimu, kuna Eesti Maja on välja üüritud.
Informatsioon: Hilja Toom 9398 1321, Milvi Vaikma 9300 2492.

SEENIORIDE KLUBI KOKKUTULEK
NELJAPÄEVAL, 14. VEEBRUARIL 2013, kell 13.00
Järgnevad kokkutulekud on; 28. veebruar, 28. märts 11 ja 25 aprill 2013.
Märkus: 14. märtsil kokkutulekut ei ole, kuna on päevane bussi väljasõit.
Endised liikmed oodatud ja uued liikmed teretulnud!
Informatsioon: Bruno Metsar. 9836 0516.

EESTI MAJA “SOCIAL CLUB” KLUBIÕHTU
REEDEL, 15 VEEBRUARIL 2013, kell 19.30
Järgmine klubiõhtu toimub 19. aprillil 2013.
Informatsioon: Sirje Jõgi 0458 400 620.

EESTI VABARIIGI 95. AASTAPÄEVA TÄHISTAMINE
PÜHAPÄEVAL, 24. VEEBRUARIL 2013, kell 15.00
Aktuse kõne: AES Liidu aseesimees Arvi Vainomäe. Esineb Naiskoor ja teisi ettekandeid. Aktusele sissepääs ilma tasuta. Loodame suurearvulist osavõttu!

Peale aktust toimub ülemises saalis videofilmi pealelõuna. Vaatame huvitavat dokumentaalfilmi
“Klass 1943. Unustatud mälestused”
Selle filmi peategelasteks on viis koolivenda Tartu Poeglaste Gümnaasiumist, kelle haridustee on
katkestatud sõjaoludes.
Selle filmi avaetendus toimus 5. juunil 2012 kinos “Sõprus” ja ETV saadetes 20 ja 25 aprillil.
Sissepääs videofilmi pealelõunale, koos kerge einega $ 10.00.
Videofilmi algus on kell 16.30 ja kestvus 1 tund.
Kindlasti väga huvitav!

MUSIKAALNE ÕHTUPOOLIK
PÜHAPÄEVAL, 10. MÄRTSIL,2013, kell 13.00
Vaatame seekord Taevo Vaikma koostatud laulu ja muusika videofilm nimega “Öölokaalis”,
Kestvusega 1 tund. Tutvume meie praeguste kodumaa artistidega; Tanel Padar, Liisi Koikson,
Jaan Tätte, Marko Matvere, Leena Kuurmaa ja veel palju teisi.
Istume laudades ja saal dekoreeritud öölokaali miljöös. Saadaval suupisted, koogid ja
karastavad joogid..
Enne videofilmi esinevad ka mõned meie kohalikud lauljad ja naljahambad.
Kõik noored ja ka seeniorid oodatud lõbusale koosviibimisele. Sissepääs $ 5.00.

PÄEVANE BUSSI VÄLJASÕIT
NELJAPÄEVAL, 14. MÄRTSIL 2013 Nunawading Civic Centre kell 9.15, Eesti Maja kell 9.45
Sõidame Kilmorei. Külaskäik klaas-kunsti ateljeesse ja päästetud loomade farmi. Väljasõit ja lõunaeine on ühingu liikmetele tasuta, kes on olnud vähemalt 3 aastat ühingu liige.
Soovi korral teatada hiljemalt 1. märtsiks Bruno Metsar 9836 0516.

VIDEOFILMI PEALELÕUNA
PÜHAPÄEVAL, 14. APRILLIL 2013, kell 13.00
Vaatamisele tuleb Eesti film aastast 1969 “Viimne reliikvia” Filmi sisu põhineb Eduard Bornhöe romaanist “Vürst Gabriel ehk Pirita kloostri viimased päevad”
Eesti filmi sajanda juubeli puhul 2012 aastal valiti “Viimne reliikvia” parimaks nii filmikildude, kui ka filmilaulude poolest.
Väärt vaatamist!

M.E.Ü. “KODU” AASTA PEAKOOSOLEK
PÜHAPÄEVAL, 14. APRILLIL 2013, kell 16.00
Peakoosolek toimub kohe peale videofilmi pealelõunat.
Käesolev maksev kutsena. Eraldi kutseid ei saadeta.. Kõik ühingu liikmed oodatud!

Koosoleku päevakava: 1. Koosoleku avamine ja rakendamine
2. Eelmise peakoosoleku protokolli kinnitamine
3. 2012 aasta tegevuse aruanne
4. 2012 aasta kassa aruanne
5. Revisjoni komisjoni aruanne
6. 2013 aasta tegevuskava
7. 2013 aasta eelarve
8. 2013 aasta liikmemaksu määramine
9. Juhatuse valimine
10. Revisjoni komisjoni valimine
11. Kohapeal algatatud küsimused
Päevakorra punkt 9. on juhatuse valimine. Kui on ühingu liikmeid, kes soovivad kandideerida juhatusse, siis palun sellest teatada ühingu esimehele: Bruno Metsar 9836 0516, hiljemalt10. aprilliks, et saaks nimed avaldada hääletuslehel.
TEATED

EESTI PEAKONSULAADI VASTUVÕTT
Peakonsul Triinu Rajasalu on Melbourne’is esmaspäeva õhtul 25. veebruaril ja teisipäeval 26. veebruaril.
Vastuvõtuks registreerida konsuliga Sydneys. Telefon (02) 8014 8999.

RAHVATANTSU HUVILISED
Kavatsus on alustada laste rahvatantsu õpetamist. Kes on huvitatud, palun teatada: Sirjele 0458 400 620.
Teised, kes soovivad ühineda rahvatantsurühmaga teatada: Matti Kiviväli tel: 0418 841 480
e-mail kivivali@optusnet.com.au

EESTI KAUBAD SAADAVAL
Sydney kahe eesti firma kaubad – eesti alkohol ja kommivabrilu “Kalev” toodng on saadaval Melbourne’is Sirje Jõgi kauda 0458 400 620.

ESGAV NÄDALALÕPU LAAGER
Seitsme rahvuse organisatsiooni ESGAV (Ethnic Scouts – Guides Association Victoria) iga-aastane
nädalalõpu laager (see on 35. laager) toimub 15-17. märtsil 2013. Laagri asukoht on Läti skautide laagriplats Kilmores. Kes on huvitatud osalema, palun teatada hiljemalt 1. märtsiks 2013.
Informatsiooni vajadusel helistada Bruno Metsar 9836 0516 ehk Arno Vann 0433 133 397.

UUS LIIGE
Tervitame uut liiget: Lembit Marder.

MEIE HULGAST LAHKUNUD
M.E.Ü. “Kodu” auliige Erna Piik, Daisy Mark.

NIMEKIRJAST KUSTUTATUD
Lahkunud Melbourne’ist: Karin Adams, Endel Jõgi, Ants Pottmann.
Liikmed, kes ei ole oma liikmemaksu tasunud,peale kolmandat meeldetuletust: Helve Cann, Kaja Freimann, Ene-Mai Reinpuu, Irene Rosenberg, Ivar Sers, Pehi Solomon.

JÄRGMINE TEATELEHT
Kavakohaselt järgmine “Teateleht” antakse välja mai kuu alguses. Kõik teated, mida soovitakse
avaldada selles numbris, peavad olema ühingu juhatuse liikmete käes hiljemalt esmaspäevaks
15. aprilliks 2013. B. Metsar (toimetaja) kodu tel.: 9836 0516. Post: 5 Prowse Ave. Balwyn, Vic. 3103.
e-mail metsar@hotkey.nea.au

ÜRITUSED EESTI MAJAS 2013 AASTAL

Pühapäev, 24.2.2013 kell 15.00 Eesti Vabariigi 95. aastapäeva tähistamine

Pühapäev, 24.2.2013 kell 17.30 Videofilmi pealelõuna

Pühapäev, 10.3.2013 kell 13.00 Musikaalne pealelõuna

Pühapäev, 14.4.2013 kell 13,00 Videofilmi pealelõuna

Pühapäev, 14.4.2013 kell 16.00 M.E.Ü. “Kodu” aasta peakoosolek

This year, the Alliance French Film Festival features “a Lady in Paris” the story of an Estonian woman who moves to Paris. The film is showing around Australia and you can see the schedule and buy tickets on the Alliance French Film Festival site.

From the Alliance French Film Festival site:

Jeanne Moreau, a living legend of French Cinema, is as charismatic as ever in this beautiful and moving film about age, loss and love.

The film begins with Anne (Laine Mägi), all alone in Estonia. Her husband has divorced her, her children have left home and her mother has died. She decides to move to Paris to look after an elderly Estonian woman, Frida (Moreau), who emigrated to France many years before. However Frida doesn’t want any help – and the sparks soon fly.

Jeanne Moreau steals every scene of this elegant film, relishing her prickly, iron willed character. Estonian actress Laine Mägi is just as excellent as the mousy caretaker in need of a new life in a new city.

The acclaimed Estonian director Ilmar Raag based his second feature on his own mother who came to Paris to look after an elderly woman. The film premiered at the Locarno Film Festival last year.

Watch the trailer below:

EESTI 95. AASTAPÄEVA PIKNIK HAISAAREL / ESTONIAN PICNIC ON SHARK ISLAND
Sunday, 24 February 2013 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

For several years now, Estonian Independence Day Picnic on SharkIsland has been an important part of the Estonian calendar in Sydney. Every year on this special day only, Shark island turns into an “EstonianTerritory”. It’s a perfect place to meet new people or have a great time with some old friends.

TÄHELEPANU, LASTEVANEMAD SYDNEYS!

Tulge laupäeval, 16. veebruaril kell 10.00 kirikusaali, 11 Waratah St, North Strathfield Sydney Eesti Mudilasringi koosolekule!

Kui võtate lapsed kaasa, siis olgu Teid kaks täiskasvanut: üks koosolekul ja teine lastega aias tegelemiseks.

Uued liikmed teretulnud!

ATTENTION, SYDNEY PARENTS!

Come on Satuday, 16th February at 10.00 am to the Church Hall, at 11 Waratah St, North Strathfield to the meeting of the Sydney Estonian Toddlers’ Circle.

If you will bring the children with you, there should be two of you: one to attend the meeting and the other to occupy the children in the garden.

New members welcome!

Tiiu Salasoo, AESL Coordinator of Estonian Studies

Adelaide Eesti Selts Presents…

Vabariigi Aastapäev

Adelaide Estonian Independence Day Celebrations 95th Anniversary, 2013

When:
Sunday February 24th 2pm

Where:
Eesti Maja, 200 Jeffcott
Street Norh Adelaide

Address by Consulate General of Estonia, Ms Triinu Rajasalu

Featuring:

• Pastor Palm’s message
• Performances by Hapu-koor & Vikerkaar
• Kids’ Corner
• Light refreshments prepared by Naisring
• Estonian beverages available at the bar

Join our facebook group, Eestlased Adelaides 

March, 4 to December, 20, 2013 University of Tartu offers a web-based Estonian language course for beginners.

The course is aimed at adult learners. This course is suitable for people, who want to improve their skills in learning Estonian. Students will gain an introductory knowledge of Estonian vocabulary and will be able to use the vocabulary covered during the course in everyday situations. Other aspects of the Estonian language (grammatical structure, etc.) will also be introduced.

The course is 95 % web-based. There are 5 classroom meetings (or Skype-meetings) per course. The course will end with an exam. At the meetings the teachers will provide the learners with feed-back on their home assignments, and refine their talking-skills.

On completion of the course the learners will be able to

1. use the vocabulary and grammar covered during the course in everyday situations;
2. read and create simple texts (both oral and written).

On the web-page of the course there will be links to the learning materials divided into 10 lessons. Vocabulary related to the following topics is introduced: family and home, food and drink, leisure time activities, climate and nature, etc.

Completed exercises and creative writing assignments on each topic are to be sent to the teachers. The time schedule for presenting home work and taking the on-line tests will be sent to all the participants. The tests will appear on the web-page after each class-room (Skype) meeting. The students will get individual feed-back on the results of the tests. The course ends with an exam (final test).

Participation fee: 110 euros

Registration: either at Esta.pilt@ut.ee , sending your name, address, e-mail and date of birth or (in Estonian) at https://www.is.ut.ee/pls/ois/tere.tulemast?viit=4531784

Sydney Estonian Society invites you to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia!
Sunday February 17th, 2pm at Sydney Estonian House (141 Campbell St, Surry Hills).
Musical performances by Lõke and Karin Kapsi trio. Speech by consul Triinu Rajasalu. At 3.30pm a documentary “Class of 1943” will be shown.

Shrove Tuesday dinner at Sydney Estonian House (141 Campbell St, Surry Hills), Friday February 15th 7pm, doors open 6pm.

Although I’d never been to the homeland, I’ve always felt like an Estonian. Growing up in Canada, my family spoke Estonian at home and my brothers and I were involved in the Estonian community in and around Toronto.

At university my involvement with the Estonian community continued although at a decreased level, and it diminished almost completely when I departed to Australia for graduate work. Marrying a non-Estonian lady moved me even further from my Estonian roots. But I never forgot.

Over the years many relatives and friends visited Eesti, but I was always reticent. Would my wife, Allyson, who only speaks English, be comfortable? Would my relatives, whom I hardly know, be welcoming? Could I get by with my rusty Estonian? And why visit what I imagined to be a poor and flat country? But finally, we decided to go.

First, to improve my language I listened to children’s bedtime stories on Internet (Õhtujutt lastele). The storyteller spoke clearly and I could pause the broadcast and translate unknown words using an on-line dictionary . Perfect!

We flew to Amsterdam and then with Air Estonia to Tallinn. I was excited listening to other passengers speaking Estonian, and understanding them. An attractive blonde stewardess wore a uniform tastefully decorated with an Estonian folk pattern.

My cousin Kadi and her son and grandson met us. My mind whirled as we drove into a modern European city. It seemed strange seeing signs in Estonian. Then we entered the medieval Old Town and I was overwhelmed with emotion for Tallinn is one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals with narrow cobblestone streets, church spires, medieval buildings, thick battlements and towers.

Over the next two days we walked and walked, immersing ourselves in the glorious Old Town, which was established in 1219 when the Danes built a castle on Toompea Hill. Tallinn (an abbreviation of Taani Linnus, Danish stronghold) became a major centre of the Hanseatic League. The town is surprisingly well preserved given the wars that Estonia has suffered. At the centre is the Raekoja plats (town hall square), which is dominated by northern Europe’s only surviving late Gothic town hall (1404) and lined with bustling open-air cafes. Patio umbrellas carried the name Saku (the local beer). Throngs of tourists often milled in the square for Tallinn is a regular stop for cruise ships.

The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is actually two towns, each with its own fortifications. The upper one on Toompea Hill was for nobles and the lower town for merchants. About 2 kilometres of sturdy stone walls and 27 towers are still preserved.

Museums, churches and other fascinating places to visit in the lower town are too numerous to list, but one of our favourites was the Passage of History in the alley beside the Great Guild House (1410). Plaques inserted in the sidewalk outline Eesti history from 1154 to the present.

From the ramparts of upper Town we enjoyed wonderful views onto the rooftops and spires of lower Town. We visited the parliament buildings, the Russia Orthodox Alexander Nevsky cathedral and Pikk Hermann tower, which reminded me of the Estonian flag holder in my parents’ home long ago.

Next day, our guide stopped on a narrow cobblestone street and pointed to a stately Gothic house. “That was the former KGB headquarters,” she said. “This street was the most feared place in the city.” As we were to learn, Russia still casts a dark shadow over the land.

Our local haunt became the Hell Hunt bar, on whose window a smiling wolf carries a naked blonde lady. Even better, the beer was delicious and cheap. Allyson and I usually ordered the house hele (lager) and dume (dark) beers, respectively. Many other restaurants and bars abounded.

We spent one evening at the home of cousin Kadi and another at the home of cousin Tiit. It was wonderful to chat with them, to meet their children and grandchildren and, suddenly, to be part of a large family. I was happy, realizing I had grown up with two lives. Now I was meeting relatives and seeing my parents’ homeland. I was connecting the two halves of my life, making it complete.

My cousins explained that Estonia is an amazingly progressive country. Free since 1991, Eesti has made huge economic and political strides in recovering from communism. For example, Skype was invented here; there is almost no government debt; Estonia is a member of NATO and the Eurozone; corruption is minimal and voting is conducted via Internet. I was proud.

One afternoon cousin Kadi took me for a walk. “There’s much to see outside the Old Town,” she said. We passed old wooden houses that looked Nordic but often needed a coat of paint and some repair. Then we arrived at Seaplane Harbour, a brand-new, world-class maritime museum. The main building is an immense dome, originally built in 1917. Inside, it is surreal and contains a submarine, the oldest boat in Estonia and much more. Outside in the bay are cannons and ships including a historic icebreaker, Suur Tõll. The museum is a must-see.

On the fourth day, we rented a car and set off for Pärnu. We were entering terra incognita for tourists rarely go outside Tallinn.

[This is the first of a three-part series. Join us next week as Hans and Allyson travel to southwest Estonia.]

Source: Meie Kodu http://mk.eestiselts.org/An_Esto-Canadian8217s_First_Vis_427.htm