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EESTI ELU reedel, 2. septembril 2022 — Friday, September 2, 2022
Global Estonian Insights: Estonians in Berlin Vincent Teetsov Estonian communities, how ever vast or tiny, exist in virtually every country. While a valuable part of visiting or moving to another country is to befriend and spend time with locals, you may eventually miss engaging with your heri tage. And so commences the search for other Estonians in your area. If you’re ever in the hip and happening city of Berlin, Germany, don’t be surprised if you hear about some familiar Estonian activities. Many of the concerts and events that take place in Canada and the United States are also happening there, when artists make tour stops in Germany’s capital. For instance, on June 30th, 2022, Puuluup performed at PANDA Platforma in the affluent neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg. On April 28th, 2022 the Estonian Embassy in Berlin hosted a screening of the documentary Põlvkond piiri taga, just like the Estonian Arts Centre did in Toronto. There are also cultural gems that have not made it this far from Estonia. One of the most impressive happenings was the exhibition called Hello Mister Police Officer, taking place in June 2022, about the street art hub that Tartu has become. Artists like KAIRO, Edward
von Lõngus, and Stina Leek put up their art at Neurotitan Gallery in the central neighbourhood of Mitte. The exhibition told the origin story of Tartu’s street art, drew attention to Tartu’s status as European Capital of Culture in 2024, and even indicated Berlin as a possible primary influence for Tartu’s graffiti. Geographical proximity certainly helps in facilitating a link to Estonia. In fact, did you know that Berlin once had a café and bar that emphasized all things Estonian? It was called Jäääär (meaning “the edge of the ice”). Starting in 2013, this little slice of Estonia at Brunnenstraße 56 championed poetry, weekly open mics, film screenings, comedy, coffee (with an optional splash of Vana Tallinn), wine, and Estonian beer. You could get a bowl of kama for dessert, too, if you were so inclined. Jäääär was visited by the likes of former President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and former Prime Minister of Estonia Andrus Ansip. Sadly, the café closed down in 2017. If you think about Germany in an Estonian context, what comes to mind might be the displaced persons camps where many Estonian refugees lived temporarily between fleeing occupation and war and arriving in other parts of the world.
Safety tips for young women: how to deter burglars Natalie Jenkins, LJI Reporter Burglary – meaning an unlawful entry into a resi dence with the intent to com mit a crime, most often theft – is terrifying. Even though most burglars want to avoid confrontation, having an unwelcome intruder in your home still is an invasion of your personal space and peace of mind. All it takes is one unlocked door, a poorlyhidden set of extra keys, or a window cracked open for an offender to enter your home. Canada is no stranger to these crimes. According to Statistics Canada, there were 159,338 reported burglaries in 2015. Individuals between the ages of 18–29 were the most likely to experience these kinds of offences. In Estonia, things are looking up. Burglary rates fell by 16 percent in the country last year. While this decrease may offer some comfort to homeowners, it is important to learn the necessary precautions required to deter burglars, and what to do in case someone breaks-andenters into your home. Here are some basic tips to deter burglars from your home: 1. Invest in security cameras
and a home security system. Nearly half a panel of 12 former criminals consulted by Co-op insurance claimed that burglars are most likely to be put off breaking into homes by security cameras and barking dogs. But whether cameras were a good deterrent found mixed responses from a different group of inmates currently serving time for burglary in Oregon. “Some said it also likely signalled there were valuables inside the home.” The same group agreed that if a home alarm system went off, most of them would leave immediately. The bottom line is – if you can, install security cameras, a home alarm system, and have a big dog around. 2. Don’t open the door to strangers – or, don’t engage at all. Hearing a knock at your door seems innocent enough. It could be a friend, a neighbour, or someone looking for help. But if you aren’t expecting anyone, it’s better to not answer it, especially as a young woman living alone. Society expects women to be openly benevolent. If they go against this stereotype – even by minding their own business or not giving the time of day to a stranger – they are considered rude. Many
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Northern Birch Credit Union – Branch Location Update
Berlin Estonians at their 2016 Jaanipäev celebrations. Photo: berliinieestikultuuriselts.com
However, what you’ll find in Berlin today is a contemporarily-focused group of Estonian expatriates who are staying in touch with their favourite customs and adding to the cultural energy of the surrounding met ropolis. Particularly effective at congregating Estonian expats is Berliini Eesti Kultuuriselts KAMA, founded in 2015. The society initiates and points the way to many manifestations of Estonian culture. Music enthusiasts join the Berliini eestlaste laulukoor, which makes up part of the European Estonian Choir. The education of children up until the age of 13 is supported by Berlin Eesti Kool, founded in 2009, for which students attend on Saturdays on a bi-monthly basis. Eesti Rahvatants Berliinis has kept folk dance going, led by dance professional Meljo Kaaviste and performing at
events like Vabariigi Aastapäev and Jaanipäev.
intruders will take advantage of women’s societal obligation to be nice and pose as someone in need. This is why it’s important to not open the door to strangers. When asked if they knocked at the door before breaking and entering, all 86 inmates unanimously responded that they did. If someone answered the door, common responses asked for help of some sort. “I would act like I was lost or looking for a friend,” said one of the 86 inmates. Another said they would “ask if they’d seen my dog and leave.” Others posed as clipboard surveyors or other professionals. If you open the door, intruders know who’s home, and who’s not. 3. Make it look like some one’s home. So, say someone’s at your door. You don’t answer it – but now what? Make your house look lived in. Thieves want to avoid trouble. They certainly don’t want to catch passerbys’ attention, and the absolute last thing they want is to cause a big scene. Turn on your TV, keep your lights on, keep your car parked in your driveway, and your radio playing. When asked if they would attempt to break and enter if they heard someone’s radio or TV, one of the 86 inmates replied “absolutely not.” “Most of the time that is a sure-fire sign of someone being home,” wrote another inmate. Of course, keep your windows and doors
locked. And definitely don’t hide a spare key underneath the gnome on your front porch.
To see what Estonians are up to across Germany, follow eesti. de on Facebook and keep an eye on their website at eestlased.de. Their events calendar lists the top dates relating to Estonia, such as Usedomer Musikfestival on Usedom Island, where Estonian compositions and performers were made the focus of the 2022 festival. There is much in common between the Estonians in Germany and those in North America, in that we’re seeking ways to make Estonia known where we live. But Estonians’ expression of identity reacts differently with the local culture depending on where you go. The next time you travel, see what differences and similarities you can identify.
4. Landscaping is important too. What surrounds your house is equally as important as what’s inside in the eyes of potential thieves. Since they don’t want to be seen or caught on security camera footage, thieves will look for hiding spots from which they can peer into your home. Large plants, tall trees, and bushy foliage are common areas of cover. Also, if you have kids, make sure to pick up toys they left outside. “Pricey-looking toys scattered throughout the front yard tell a burglar that you’re willing to spend the extra buck on playthings for your kid but are too busy to pick them up, so you may be likely to leave the house unlocked or forget to arm your security system,” says Bob, a former thief interviewed by Safewise.com. Also, a build-up of mail and trash is a key giveaway that no one’s home. Ask your neighbours or a friend to manage your mail, and keep your trash inside if you’re leaving for a vacation before garbage day. Taking these precautions is important to maintain a secure home and a peace of mind.
As you read in our last news release, our Estonian House Branch will soon be closing due to the relocation of the Toronto Estonian House and its activities. While we wait for our flagship branch in the new KESKUS International Estonian Centre to be built, our members will be served from our existing locations; our Latvian Centre Branch & our Hamilton Branch, plus we will be opening a new cashless branch inside Tartu College at 310 Bloor Street West. Estonian House Branch Closure The last day of operations at our Estonian House Branch will be Thursday, October 13th. We will continue to offer full banking services at this location until then. All of our branches will be closed from Friday, October 14th through Monday, October 17th while we close our offices and relocate to our Latvian Centre Branch and Tartu College Branch. Join us and the Estonian House community on October 1st for a celebration commemorating the long history of the Estonian House. Tartu College Branch – Cashless Location Our Tartu College Branch will open late October after our Estonian House Branch has closed – stay tuned for our opening date! This pop-up branch will be a cashless location, with our teams there to help you with all other banking needs; investments, loans, money orders, foreign currency orders, cheque deposits, and more. We will also be installing an ATM at this branch location. We expect the ATM to be installed early in the new year. Stay tuned for more infor mation! Latvian Centre & Hamilton Branches – here to serve you! Our Latvian Centre & Hamilton branches continue to serve our members and meet all your banking needs. Visit our teams there, they will be happy to help! Stay tuned for more information Keep up-to-date with the latest developments by visiting our website and reading our newsletters. Thank you for your con tinued support!
