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EESTI ELU reedel, 1. aprillil 2022 — Friday, April 1, 2022
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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
Post-war Russia must be de-Putinized
Europe. For all Russians, including Putin’s opponents, it doesn’t mark the beginning of Soviet suppression for half of Europe and it doesn’t engender any collective guilt, a sign of an Putin’s contrived de-Nazifica open, democratic society. All Soviet and Russian leadtion intent has been ridiculed world-wide. However, de- ers, particularly Putin, have Putinization deserves serious stressed that Russia was destined to be a large, powerful consideration. Vladimir Putin has been country you don’t antagonize, stoking the flames of aggressive but rather fear. The Russians ultra-nationalism for two de- should be proud of this, the cades. It’s an intrinsic element Kremlin says. It’s the state in the self-identity for a sub- ideology. It’s been suggested that stantial share of the Russian public. Imperial U.S.S.R. died, Russians have a need to be but the notion of and imperial feared by the rest of the world. Russia has survived and even It boosts their self-respect, which Putin helped to restore gained ground under Putin. And here’s the fear among from its low point during the skeptics: Let’s say that Russia Soviet era. In this regard, their is soundly defeated, forced in invasion of Ukraine must cause humiliation to vacate Ukraine an inner conflict: Why weren’t and Putin is removed from they feared when they were power (a delusionary wish for kicked out of numerous inter many). It’s said that only a ma- national organizations? Why jor, new catastrophe – similar to weren’t they welcomed with Putin’s reference about the col- flowers when they crossed the lapse of the Soviet Union – will border? Why aren’t any Russian transform a significant part of flags visible at international the Russian population still protest rallies – only Ukrainian locked to Putin’s conception of colours? Why are Ukrainians, an all-powerful, i nvincible including numerous Russians, motherland, compelled to de- fleeing to the West, not to fend itself from Western harass- Russia for a safe haven? Why attack eastern and southern ment and unholy decadence. cities with mainly Russian But how about something residents? But is this inner other than a catastrophe – a dichotomy enough to prevent feeling of guilt for massacring Ukrainians, with whom Putin the popular rise of another declared to be of one people Putin? Moscow started this war with with Russians? There’s plenty to cause contrition – the de lies, lied about the strength of liberate targeting of hospitals, the enemy and are continuing schools, humanitarian aid the killing with lies – lies that centres, evacuation corridors, the leadership group itself non-military, civilian buildings, appears to believe. pillaging of homes and stores, Some say that the West must municipal water supplies – offer Putin a plausible exit plan terrorizing the population with to save him from humiliation. high explosive munitions Others insist that only a total against apartment building, etc. Russian defeat would deter him Can this impact Putin idolatry? from future aggression on other A collective feeling of guilt fronts. In any case, relations certainly influenced West cannot proceed as usual. In this Germans after capitulation in respect, the naivety of those 1945. But it took time, educa- who advocate ‘normal relations’ tion and also the presence of with Russia, would once again the British, French and Ameri whet the appetite of an ultra- cans. Russians will not experi- nationalist Kremlin leadership ence any foreign occupation. to dominate neighbouring What would induce post-Putin states. Trump holding Putin up governments to support authen- as a normal member of the tic history, to write u ndistorted international community, openly school texts that don’t absolve declaring Putin’s honesty in the Russian military of war Helsinki, praising his genius in crimes? justifying the Ukraine invasion We must remember that the and boasting of the reciprocal current May 9 celebrations respect between the two simply celebrate the Red Army’s bolstered Putin’s expansionist Victory and the ‘Liberation’ of urges.
Estonia’s mass deportations of March 1949 were commemorated this year by the Hamilton Estonian Society and Supplementary School at the Lutheran congregation pastorate. The lighting of memorial candles has become a tradition for Hamilton and in her speech the Society’s president Leila Hess drew the parallel between the plight of Estonians in 1949 being sent to Siberia and the tragedy of millions of Ukrainians suffering at the hands of the same foreign invader. The Society has also organized an on-line fundraising campaign resulting in donations that already exceed the expected support. Photo: Merike Koger
The sun is shining brightly over SEEDRIORU!! Spring is here and we are nearing the end of the dark days of the pandemic! We are thrilled to be offering both overnight and day camp this summer – in compliance with our Local Wellington Centre Public Health Branch. Our other big news! We have a baby boom exploding and for many families, the 3rd generation is pre-registered and coming to Seedrioru!! For the first time in Seedrioru’s history, we are offering an additional 2 weeks, for a total of 4 WEEKS for our youngest campers, ages 4-6 in the mudimaja. We are especially eager to get more teenagers to camp this year. Too many teens have had to miss multiple years of camp due to COVID and if they do not connect and have fun with their Estonian friends from different communities now, they will have missed a lifetime opportunity. We have been busy mesilased preparing for LAAGER 2022! Parent Advisory Committee Happenings… Our Parent Advisory Com mittee has had 2 meetings so far this year and have done a review of Laager 2021 and are heavily invested in planning and improving Laager 2022. We are so thankful for our committee members who so
Not only the quick defeat and disgrace of Putin is crucial, but the unfettered access to the truth and the freedom to elect those in power without intimidation or repression will eventually de-Putinize Russia. History tells us that looking for an easy end to a conflict only encourages the enemy to find justification for future aggression. LAAS LEIVAT
graciously stayed on from last year and the group has grown by 4 new members: Kristiina Aasa Milne, Krista Alexopou los, Eerik Aljas, Kaili Hilkawich, Martin Kiik, Karen Must, Leikki Revesz, Rutti Yalle, and our newest members: Michelle Gray, Tiina Heap and Kairi West, and Lia Hess. Our committee has a vested interest as their children and grandchildren are the benefactors. We are not only planning for improvements to the physical site of the camp but are constantly seeking out inno vative programming for our campers to ensure a rich ex perience in understanding their Estonian heritage. Stay tuned!! More details regarding programming to come! Welcome Liisa Ruus from Eesti to our Seedrioru family! Liisa Ruus is one of the singers in “Eesti Raadio Laulustuudio tütarlastekoor” who will be performing with her choir in the Toronto area June 25–July4 and at Seedrioru Suvehari on July 2. Liisa has extended her visit so that she can stay at Seedrioru Laager and enrich our Estonian programming with eesti laulmine and Rahvatants before returning to her studies at Tartu Univer sity. Camp Registration Registration is open and filling up quickly. Some weeks are already at near capacity for overnight campers! Make sure to get your pre-registrations in ASAP, so that the spot for your child/children is secured. Please note the change from the previous article, Survivor Week will be the second week of camp, beginning July 17, your kids will not want to miss it! We are still looking for… A few Kasvatajad, a lifeguard and a Laagri juhataja for
certain weeks! Please apply ASAP – we want to make sure we get our staff early to ensure the best possible programming for your children. May 14th Kids Spring Camp Day Families, parents, adults, children – join us on May 14th for a Kids Spring Camp Day! While parents help with talgud, your kids will experience a day of laager, helping them get comfortable with Seedrioru and introducing them to the summer experience that awaits! In the evening we will all come together for dinner, a raffle, music and a bonfire! Free for all to attend, thank you to the Estonian Integration Foundation for their support of this event. Please RSVP and register your kids by emailing us at suvekodu@seedrioru.com And from the Peanut Gallery… The best reasons for wanting to come to laager? Don’t take our word for it – hear it straight from the kids who have been and experienced the wonders of Seedrioru laager: Why would any kid want to go to Seedrioru camp? Raili: “Because it’s fun and I have lots of friends there!” Hendrik: “Because the boys are there and we can play basketball” Sander: “You get to swim and they have dinosaurs there!” Oliver: “The activities are great and you learn about Eesti and Robert says that you learn how to shoot… and that is cool.” Aili perfectly sums up why you must come to camp this year: “Because it is going to be the BEST CAMP EVER!!!!” ELAGU SEEDRIORU!!! SEE YOU SOON!
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