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EESTI ELU reedel, 14. augustil 2020 — Friday, August 14, 2020
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A collaboration between Chaordic Design and Estonian Life In our last segment, we explored how adaptation works as a strategy for success. Through her community and professional activity, Kristina Põldre has observed the signals of change, with bilingualism being an important recurring theme in her involvement. Kristina is very active in the Estonian academic community of Toronto, as a member and esinaine (president) of Kor porat sioon Amicitia. She has been a part of rahvatants (folk dance), and works professionally as a Project Manager at Mount Sinai Hospital here in Toronto. In what ways do you see your membership in Kor poratsioon Amicitia as a way to lead the Estonian commu nity as a whole? When I joined Korp! Amicitia back in 2009, I was one of a few non-Estonian speakers. Despite my language limitations, I was welcomed with open arms. When I earned my colours and became a full member, I remained active and gradually worked my way up through various leadership posi tions, all the way to esinaine the year we celebrated our 90th anniversary, which was five years ago. This was a signifi cant milestone for us as an or ganization, as I was the first non-Estonian speaking leader the Toronto chapter ever had. While language is a signifi cant and important component of involvement, it’s not the
Join VEMU ÖÖTV on August 29th for a journey through Estonian-Canadian history, music, and stories Vincent Teetsov On Saturday August 29th, VEMU, the Museum of Estonians Abroad will be taking part in the vibrant pan-European tradition known as the Night of Museums. In Estonia, this is known as Muuseumiöö. It’s a celebra tion of the wonders of night, and the discovery of those wonders that we can find in museums. Last year alone, over 100,000 visits were made to Estonian museums on the night. Now, VEMU is bringing their own interpretation of the event for the first time ever with VEMU ÖÖTV, a special virtually broadcasted show for audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. While this year’s Muuseumiöö theme is “Öös on aega” (“Time in the Night”), the show’s theme will be adapted
single driving factor. It’s the commitment to active, meaning ful and inclusive participation. Bilingual content and participa tion is part of positive commu nity evolution. Bilingual communication is a way to include everyone, native speakers and non-speakers alike. Not everyone has the drive or time to run communications through Google Translate. You are also continuing to educate your audience. Perhaps they will pick up new words (espe cially if someone in Eesti is translating for you). It depends on how strong someone’s bond is, but I think that if the average person does not understand a message, they will just start to ignore it and then start to de tach from that group, organiza tion or community. Looks can be deceptive. Often people say to me “Oh, I thought you spoke Estonian. You’re so involved.” Don’t let your lack of language be some thing that holds you back from maintaining your participation and involvement! How have you adapted to new challenges in your leader ship role as president of Korp! Amicitia? Connected to the previous thought, one recurring chal lenge for me in my third term as esinaine is language, but luckily I have enough friends both here and in Estonia that help me with translating content, so that Amicitia has bilingual communications. A new challenge for us this year specifically has been COVID-19, and restrictions on being able to congregate as a
group. Luckily, we quickly adapted and started to use Zoom. In this way, I’ve been using it beyond project status updates with vendors for my job. It’s been a blessing in dis guise, as this technology has allowed Amicitia to deal with another organizational challenge – the distance of our member ship from Tartu College. With virtual meetings, we’re able to have meaningful and full par ticipation with over 40 sorority members from across the GTA, Hamilton, Burlington, Waterloo, Georgian Bay, Simcoe, and the United States. As a project manager, how do your strategies change on a day-to-day basis as deadlines approach and you engage with stakeholders? In my line of work, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various individuals, both in my own department and across the organization, from clinical front-line users to other knowl edge workers. I don’t think my manage ment strategies change much from day-to-day vs when ap proaching a project’s “GoLive.” I think what is important is that the project group has a shared understanding and com mitment to what we are striving to deliver, and that everyone is committed to putting their best foot forward, no matter what their role is in the initiative. I try to come with an open mind, learn from stakeholders and ask questions. Working in a hospital and Information Technology, I don’t have formal clinical experience
into “Öös on väliseesti aega” (where väliseesti means “Esto nians abroad”), which means that you can take a peek into the time väliseestlased – Estonians who had to leave their homeland after the Second World War – have spent in Canada. As the organizers of Muuseumiöö have said, the 2020 event is a chance to ex plore time “in all its aspects and forms.” How is time observed? How is time grasped in songs or even in buildings? How do we measure time? Over the years, Muuseumiöö participants have witnessed stars, treasure, stories, parties, people, cinema, designs, and games. With VEMU ÖÖTV, viewers will get an exclusive look into the distinct heritage and history of Estonians in Canada. You can expect a tour of the extensive VEMU collec tion, the largest collection of Estonian culture outside of Estonia. Archival videos that are seldom played publicly will be shown, too. Those who watch will dis cover the home of VEMU: Tartu College. Now celebrating
its 50th anniversary, Tartu College is a beacon of post-war architecture in Canada and a symbol of the Estonian dias pora. In the special program, “Forgotten News” (Unustatud uudised), we’ll hear headlines and news of days gone by, all from the date of August 29th, from Canada’s Estonian news papers: Meie Elu, Vaba Eestlane, and Eesti Elu. It’s no secret that Estonians’ appreciation for music came to Canada with them. To cap off the show, the best of VEMU’s vinyl record collection will be spun by DJ Rasmus Rattas, with a live chat with musicians about their records, concerts, and more for all you music lovers. Usually taking place around the time of International Museum Day on May 19th, this year, Muuseumiöö was post poned to August 29th. To add to the excitement, this is the same night as Muinastulede öö (also known as “The Night of Ancient Lights” or “The Night of Ancient Fires”) where the lighting of bonfires unites coun tries along the Baltic Sea.
Photo used with permission from Kristina Põldre
Excelling in the Midst of Adversity (part ten): Interview with Kristina Põldre
or a technical background; I have a social sciences degree! As a project manager, I’m not expected to be an expert in a specific subject matter area, but I need to facilitate the different players, so we are working cohesively towards our shared vision. What is one thing that community volunteering, tak ing part in rahvatants (folk dance), Amicitia, and project management in the healthcare sector all have in common? They all involve collabora tion and communication. When I used to dance with rahvatants, there was a need to commu nicate with your partner for synchronized movement, and to communicate about what is and isn’t working. 70% percent of a project manager’s role is com munication: with stakeholders, team members and vendors.
Effective communication is not talking at people, but talking with people and engaging in active listening, to hear people’s thoughts and concerns.
If you’ve ever taken part in Toronto’s Nuit Blanche, then you can begin to imagine the scope of Muuseumiöö. The tra dition that started in Germany in the late 90s has spread across Europe and beyond into Asia and South America. In Estonia, museums of all varieties have been taking part in this celebra tion since 2009, showcasing fascinating stories and artifacts for visitors in the rousing atmo sphere of the evening. People from every corner of Estonia will enjoy a rich program of events that includes everything from genealogical walks to puppet theatre shows.
But VEMU ÖÖTV will offer something that you won’t find anywhere else!
I can lead a project or initia tive, but if people don’t believe or agree with the vision, I’m going to be the only one trying to move forward, and it won’t be successful. In all of these things, you are never working alone, and you are only a good leader if you have a supportive and commit ted group of followers. ••• In our next installment of this series, we’ll dive into the intri cacies of planning and how this strategy has shaped the course of history for Estonian women. (Note: this interview has been edited and condensed.)
You can watch the virtual show on their YouTube channel (youtu.be/OswCFVc4UKU) on August 29th, between 11 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time (6 PM to 11 PM in Estonia). Admission is free for all viewers across the world. The show’s precise schedule will be shared closer to the date. Mark the date in your calen dar so you don’t miss out on this unique experience that bridges Canada and Estonia.
Photo: edited image, originally from the Muuseumiöö Facebook page
