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EESTI ELU reedel, 18. märtsil 2022 — Friday, March 18, 2022
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Seedrioru laagri registration is OPEN! We welcome all children ages 4–16 of Estonian Heri tage and those with ties to the Estonian community. We especially encourage the older children to come this year, as COVID has prevented them from attending overnight camp for two years. Come join us – make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and experience Seedrioru!
English-language supplement to the Estonian weekly “EESTI ELU” Tartu College Publications Founding Chairman: Elmar Tampõld Editor: Laas Leivat 3 Madison Avenue, Toronto, ON M5R 2S2 T: 416-733-4550 • F: 416-733-0944 • E-mail: editor@eestielu.ca Digital: www.eestielu.ca
The “Wall of Lies”
That scenario is being played out in Russia. Vladimir The Berlin Wall leaked news Solovjov, the most well-known from the West and it finally TV personality in Russia has a crumbled. Putin’s “Wall of full 25 hours per week of on-air Lies” is sturdier and mostly presence during prime-time impenetrable at this most hours. Very few in the West can come close to matching this. In crucial juncture. Thus, Putin’s popularity is fact, it’s so recorded in the not plunging to new lows from Guinness Book of Records. its over 80% approval rate on Solovjov is also a trusted his invasion and annexation of member of Putin’s inner circle. Sidebar – the Estonian conCrimea. Although new polls may not accurately reflect the nections: Solovjov is married to genuine attitudes about the Estonian Elsa Sepp, a former invasion of Ukraine, it’s still top model. Estonian member of likely that about half of the the European Parliament, Yana country approves of the “special Toom, has appeared on military operation” to “de-nazi- Solovjov’s broadcasts on nufy” Ukraine and believe that the merous occasions. She explains West is responsible for the that this has enabled her to conflict. This has been the reach her Estonian (mainly harangue from the Kremlin Russian-speaking) constituency domestically and for audiences though a TV channel that most of them consider to be their abroad. (Regarding the “de-nazify” prime source of information and mission of Putin, it’s starkly comment. Another universally familiar ironic that he routinely enlists the likes of recognized neo- mouthpiece for Putin is Dmitri Nazis such as Dmitry Utkin, a Kisseljov, both an on-air permercenary with the Wagner sonality and a media executive group, a private army financed presiding over RT which also by Putin-friendly oligarchs, includes Sputnik, both of which who proudly displays his are slavish magnifiers of the Kremlin’s narrative. Margarita Waffen-SS tattoos.) Internationally he hasn’t Simonjan, the editor-in-chief of been as successful. The UN both RT and Sputnik advocated General assembly resolution on for the seizure and annexation March 2nd demanding that of the Ukraine’s Donbass one Russia “immediately, completely year ago. The above a just a few of the and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from prominent media personalities the territory of Ukraine within that show nauseating servility its internationally recognized for Putin. One also notices the relatively borders” was approved by 141 countries out of a total of 193. large number Estonian residents As expected, Belarus, North that regularly watch the Korea, Eritrea, Russia and Syria Kremlin-controlled, prime-time voted against while 35 ab- broadcasts on a regular basis. stained, including Venezuela Research indicates that some and China. (All media in China, 30,000 to 35,000 are constantly also totally government con- tuned in to them. To this must trolled, parrot the Kremlin’s be added the on-line audience fabrications unrepentant and and those with appropriate antennas which receive a signal. naltered.) u Within Russia, only state- With the above in mind, it’s owned media outlets are rather disconcerting to see the operating, with the rest closed letter “Z” painted on cars driven down. Anyone criticizing the on Estonian roads. Even more insidious is the war is prosecuted. new slide show issued by the But consider this: If the likes Russian ministry of education of a Walter Cronkite or Tom for school children that encourBrokaw on TV were to claim ages them to hate Ukraine and that a US attack on Canada was to support the Russian “mission to prevent Canada from secretly of liberation”, a “special peace arming itself with Soviet nuclear mission” which is to “protect weapons, the average US TV ethnic Russians, fight Nazism viewer would likely take it at and stop NATO expansion”. face value, especially if legitimate information is blocked, The new education tool tells and all newspapers, radios, and children to trust the president’s internet sources repeated the words which are the most re same message. liable source of true informa-
Aarne Tork
Speech by Aarne Tork for Ukraine Rally on 13th March 2022 on behalf of the Vancouver Estonian Community All Vancouver Estonian orga nizations and their members stand in solidarity with the people and supporters of Ukraine in condemning the invasion of their beloved homeland by the Russian state. On the morning of February 24th, 2022, Van couver Estonians woke up hoping to celebrate Estonia’s Independence Day, but were instead confronted with images of a senseless military invasion by the same forces that stole Estonian freedom for over 50 years. We watched the horrific news and stared at each other in shock and disbelief. Our Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has been a strong and loud advocate for Ukraine to become a member of the European Union in the months preceding the invasion and even more so now! She stated that the EU has a moral duty to start the process for the Ukraine to become a member state even
while it is at war with Putin. The Estonian people have welcomed over 14,000 Ukrai nian refugees into their small but mighty country of only 1.4 million… and we are grateful to those individuals who hopped into their cars and delivered supplies and then stayed to help both inside and on the borders of Ukraine. We stand together with all who condemn this war, in both its physical and mental dimensions because this fight is twofold: Not only does a war rage on the territorial battlefield, but also in the sphere of mis information and psychological manipulation. The Vancouver Estonian Community will neither stop remembering nor reminding others until this senseless war is over, and its initiators and its perpetuators are brought to justice. SLAVA UKRAINI!!! HEROIAM SLAVA!!!
tion. But because he can’t speak all the time, the youngsters are told that only government sources have any credence. A couple of weeks before Russia attacked Ukraine, a petition authored by some 100 prominent rights advocates, scientists, journalists and politicians – the Congress of Russian Intellectuals – stated that the stand-off over Ukraine should be de-escalated. It went so far as to accuse the Russian leadership of “deceiving and using people” by promoting “only one point of view” on state run media. But that was before the invasion. The new laws prohibiting any criticism of the conflict lists harsh penalties for those daring to oppose the Kremlin. It’s certainly noteworthy that numerous professional assemblies, cultural associations, academic groupings and others have submitted petitions calling for an end to hostilities. But
very few (if any) directly lay blame on, or condemn the actual initiator. This is some what similar to prominent Trump followers stating that Biden has been duly elected, but will not refute Trump’s “Big Lie” for fear of political ostracization. However, Trump’s nasty vindictiveness doesn’t approach the severity of a Putin reprisal governed by stringent legislation.
Camp Dates: After a successful year of running day camp in 2021, Seedrioru is offering BOTH day camp and overnight camp for 4 weeks this summer. Overnight Camp will run from Sunday, July 10th – Saturday, August 6th. Day Camp will run from Monday, July 11th – Friday August 5th. Day camp runs Monday through Friday, from 9 am – 5 pm. Estonian culture, traditions, handicraft, swimming, sauna, beach volleyball, target shooting, tubing down the Grand River, campfires, singing & dancing. These elements will be part of EVERY week at camp! Seedrioru’s beautiful natural resources combined with over 50 volunteers helping out during camp promises that each week will offer a different, enriched and rewarding camp experience! Survival Week The week of July 11–18th we will be running Survival Week theme! Kids will learn survival skills within a survivor type of game in challenges with mixed teams throughout the week. The activities, games, and challenges will mix Estonian culture and language foundation with survival elements. Fun and learning for all ages! Register today! Register Today
It’s said that truth is the first casualty of war. Putin, however, started to butcher it years ago. The suppression of truth by the Kremlin and the blatant lies meant for the world are so outrageously unbelievable. But they have had their influence, especially amongst Russians. Putin knows that his clasp on power could weaken unless he demonstrates with increasing ruthlessness, just how tough he is. And this includes reinforcing the “wall of lies”. LAAS LEIVAT
Tulge kaasa! Leian sõpru hulgana! Visit www.seedrioru.com to register today! Overnight Camp, price per week: First child, pre-registration received prior to May 31: $450.00, after June 1: $500.00 2nd child, pre-registration prior to May 31: $400.00, after June 1: $450.00 For additional children in same family prior to May 31: $350.00 after June1: $400.00 AND If your child has paid for any 2 weeks, then their 3rd week and/or 4th week is reduced: prior to May 31: $180.00, after June 1: $200.00 Day Camp, price per week/per child prior to May 31: $180.00, after June 1: $200.00
ESTONIAN LIFE
