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EESTI ELU reedel, 27. märtsil 2020 — Friday, March 27, 2020
We The Nordic
Uusberg’s “talveohtul” and shared Estonian proverbs “vana sonad” to all of the attendees. On February 21, 2020, “We Throughout the night every The Nordic” was held at The one was musically entertained Cotton Factory in Hamilton. by the endearing Laululinnud The evening event was the Merike and Helmi Hess, who first of its kind, a partnership sang very carefully selected and between The Cotton Factory beautiful Estonian songs, Tor and Hamilton Estonian Lukasik-Foss, a local artist who So ciety that built upon past completed a four week resi collaborations including Es dency at Tallinn Art Hall in tonian Music Week events and 2018, and by Norman Rein the Ambassador’s reception tamm, who played Estonian last fall. compositions that were heard One of the beautiful things for the first time in addition about Estonian culture in to some classics. Aerial perfor Canada is that in some ways, it mances on ropes and silks were is almost more traditional than also featured, adding a bit of in Eesti itself (beginning with homage to our love for gymnas the language, as I was quickly tics. reminded on my first trip back No Estonian event would be at 16 and my cousin asked complete without fantastic food. “miks sa räägid nagu vana Our first wish putting this event mutt?”) and the organizing together was to secure Paul committee was seeking a way Lillakas as featured chef, sharing to capture how everything old is his cooking skills and conta new again, starting at the roots. gious energy. Paul demonstrated There was much discussion a deconstructed rosolje, which about the name of the event, but was delicious and a great it was simply a focus on our example of using time tested Pohjamaalane identity, the part food combinations we know of us that enjoys sauna, spirits, and love and presenting them in song, and celebration in the a surprising and beautiful way. snowy slow days of winter. Paul’s feature dish was comple Estonian flags and a smiling mented by an assortment of “tere” from Sten Puust greeted kulmlaud staples by local caterer you upon arrival, who was Jonny Blonde, whose kapsa ja operating the classic old freight liha dish reminded some of a elevator that took you to the top delicious concoction their va floor and back throughout the naema used to make. Others evening. The hall was amazing had never tasted it before and ly cozy with a large, bare tree were excited to discover a new hung in the middle, reminding combination of our staple foods us of our Nordic roots theme. – another example of old be The evening was a relaxed coming new. Of course, no Estonian event and casual affair designed for out vodka, so socializing and grazing, guided is complete with throughout by Leila Hess, Pre our organizing committee put sident of the Hamilton Estonian together a flight of vodkas for Society. She provided detailed those willing to expand their commentary about the historical vodka horizons. The clear-cut context of the night while intro winner for taste was Poorioo ducing the evening entertain Vodka, a surprise unknown that ment, starting with the dramatic easily defeated Viru Valge and maa (along with the entrance of the Proverb Spirit Saare “Vanasona Vaim” and forest non-Estonian brands) in a land creatures on stilts! They slowly slide victory. moved among the crowd to Part We were lucky to have the
(l-r): Tuuli Hess, Anita Saar, Ilze Williamson
use of large displays of hun dreds of pictures and articles of past Estonian events and cele brations in Hamilton, delighting many who found pictures of family members they had never seen, or reading about people from the past and crossing names that had been forgotten. There was also silent auction items donated by wonderfully talented Estonian artists and craftsmen, including Kai Ei chenbaum (pottery), Evi Pertens (Estonian jewelry), Mari Kim
awarded a scholarship each year around Estonian Independence Day. This year’s recipient was Max Bowder, who accepted the award in person and shared his experience in journalism studies thus far. The Hamilton Estonian Society has handed out over 40 scholarships and is very proud to support our smartest and brightest as they make their mark on the world and our community. The organizing committee was grateful to the support from The Cotton Factory and our event organizer, Annette, for delivering on our ambitious attempt at something unknown. The Hamilton Estonian Society has a wonderful 70-plus year history of putting on incredible events and celebrating our heri tage, and is looking forward to nurturing the roots Estonians have put down in Hamilton. This evening was also a special night for our main sponsor, Northern Birch Credit Union, as we were able to meet members of the new Hamilton Branch and launch the new website and brand with our local Hamilton and Latvian friends. Thank you for the generous financial support! ANNELI THOMSON
We are here to help While the Ontario govern ment has declared a state of emergency and is closing all non-essential businesses, we want you to know that credit unions have been declared an essential service that will continue to operate. We are committed to helping our members get through this difficult time. We are ready to support you and discuss options to help reduce financial stress caused by the current environ ment. Every situation is dif ferent, so please reach out to us. We are here to help. Branch Visits We ask that you do your part in helping ensure a safe and healthy environment and “plank the curve” by staying at home and completing as much of your banking as you can remotely. As much as we like to see you, we ask that you visit a branch only for urgent or essential matters that can not be completed online, at an ATM or by phone with one of our staff members. We continue to follow government and public health guidelines and encourage all our members to do the same. Please call us before visiting a branch, as we have remote alternatives to almost all your banking needs. We recently reduced our branch hours. Please visit our website to see a full listing. We encourage you to continue to monitor our website for all up-to-date information. Ways to Bank
Kristiina Aasa, Anneli Thomson, Krista Alexopoulos, Lisa Sepp, Kairi West, Leila Hess
sto (decorative gnomes), Hali Puust (painting), and KEW Wineries (which is owned by Estonians – make them a stop on your next wine tour!). At 8:00 pm, the same time that Estonia declared its inde pendence in Pärnu 102 years ago, sparklers lit the room and the crowd sang “Eestlane olen, ja eestlaseks jään”. In keeping with Hamilton Estonian Society tradition, an Estonian local post-secondary student is recognized and
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