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EESTI ELU reedel, 29. jaanuaril 2021 — Friday, January 29, 2021
Solace in solitude Bravado. That is the title of one of last year’s intriguing CDs, by PEI troubadour Rose Cousins. Alas, the now Hali fax-based folksinger, a Juno winner, released the recording in February, the timing meant that it has received less atten tion than it should. The intended single, the first cut, however, anticipated the year that followed. It is an anthem for the introvert. It gives advice on how to deal with isolation and solitude – the effects of the unexpected pandemic. And how to turn a negative into a positive. “The Benefits of Being Alone” can be found online – as can the entire CD. (The Reprise version of that, on the Bravado CD, with solo piano from Cousins is oh so much better than the intended single…) Yet. There is
intent to address the difficulties found in our lives. The video made of the singer performing it is perky and cheerful, captur ing the viewer, the lyrics the listener. Most important, the catchy tune almost forces one out of introspection and into action, albeit of an individual form, depending on one’s rela tionship with the world and others. Psychologically solitude is a difficult beast to tame. It can provide sanctuary – consider the traditions of those monks, who do not talk to others. Or the Desert Fathers – again, communing only with God, no one else. Even today the writings of Thomas Merton, Trappist monk and mystic on contemplation merit reading. Especially in our technology driven virtual world, that demands almost immediate re sponse to almost anything.
Estonian Arts Centre welcomes a renewed board that will shape the future of the community’s new home The new directors who have agreed to be appointed to the Estonian Arts Centre (EAC) board will help the existing team oversee the work to ensure that the local and global Estonian community’s new home in the heart of Toronto, the International Estonian Centre (IEC), is vibrant, engaging and wel coming. Key areas of focus will be its charitable activities and fundraising, and oversight to ensure community uses and professional arts activities are top priorities in the IEC. “Our new international centre will be a vibrant and inspirational hub for Estonian arts and culture by nurturing and showcas ing our rich heritage,” said Ellen Valter, IEC Steering Committee Chair. EAC has notable experience in culti vating and supporting a broad range of arts programming which appeal to both Estonians and non-Estonians in Canada. Over its 45-year history, EAC has pro duced and organized performances, exhibi tions, conferences, retreats and seminars, commissioned original literary and musical works, conducted arts competitions, curated an art collection, and promoted applied arts such as printmaking, metalsmithing and ceramics. EAC is reimagining its heritage arts pro gram to align with the possibilities present ed by the new centre. EAC is actively soli citing significant donations and planning the launch of its public fundraising campaign. “I am fully confident these talented and committed board members will work to en sure an extraordinary performance and com munity space for all Torontonians, that our local and global Estonian community is well engaged and accommodated and that the fund-raising to make our dreams a reality is an overwhelming success, too!” she added. Details on all EAC board members can be found here: Kaili Colford – As the director of Public
Kaili Colford
Relations and Communications at Plan International Canada, an international children’s rights charity, she leads major campaigns linked to the organization such as International Day of the Girl. Kaili has experience in public relations, communica tions and marketing in both the corporate and non-profit sectors and her expertise spans strategic communications planning, major campaigns, media relations, crisis communications, social media and celebrity and influencer engagement. She also served as the communications director for EstDocs, the Estonian Documentary Film Festival in Toronto. “My grandparents fled Estonia and were instrumental in building our thriving community in Toronto. I’m passionate about adding to their contributions and making our collective vision a reality for generations to come. This new home is for my children and friends to enjoy and a chance to truly spotlight our heritage and culture on an international level.” Suzanne Harrison, CPA, CMA, MBA – A telecommunications expert and strategic executive with a strong customer, stake holder and mentoring focus, she is Head/ Director, Office Realty Implementation Branch, Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, she also served in Director level positions at Information Technology Services MGCS, MTS Allstream and AT&T Canada. “I’m not Estonian, but I feel I’m as Estonian as you can get as I’ve had a lot of engagement with the community through my husband and my friends, although my Estonian remains rudimentary. Our kids have been very involved in Estonian culture through the school and Jõekääru summer camp and I can see how important the culture is. That’s why I’m involved - I want my children to feel that they have their place and that they can continue to be able to contribute to the community. I’m very excited to be part of this team.”
Suzanne Harrison
Liisa Käärid
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Hence the ability to retreat healthily from the hubbub, which does become almost ba nal and humdrum should be taken as an opportunity. Grant ed, at present it is imposed, not chosen. It can be argued that even our unusual quotidian existence does not deviate at all from what some simpler people define as normal. What is nor mal anyway? The trouble with normal, as Bruce Cockburn so brilliantly sang, is it always gets worse. Many of us are by nature introspective. Which does not mean misanthropic. Solitude offers many opportunities to escape from the stresses of any given situation. Best found through the arts – and at home, while in isolation, with access to the internet one can view great works of art without going to any museum, art gallery. Oddly, one returns to a
masterpiece, The Fall of Icarus, by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. A fitting metaphor for our times. Arrogance and expectation painted large. In an era of en titlement and complacency we need to take lessons from such, as we immerse ourselves in the soothing balm of timeless poetry, literature or music, whatever stills the rough beast within the breast. It need not slouch to wards Bethlehem, but towards an appreciation of existence. Often this can only be done alone. I often find myself singing to myself, quietly. As part of a holistic approach to dealing with stress. Curiously, mostly in Estonian. Or perhaps not so, for that is the first language I spoke, sang in. One such, far from lonely number, a pensive, musing love song is “Tule ääres istun mina” (As I sit by the fire). A man, ready to take a
trip into the far yonder is appre ciative of being alone there, at night, where he will not be dis turbed. All is still and peaceful. The song ends with a question – who will untie the knotted kerchief on his chest, an alle gorical bond with the loved one who sent him on his way into the unknown. Metaphorically speaking, we have been tied to an existence that we do not know whether we can ever regain. We do not know where our journey on this cursed orb will lead. That man, alone, watching the sparks rise into the night sky is apprecia tive of what he had, hoping for someone to hear his lonely voice. In our trying times we can benefit from understanding both that solitary singer and Rose Cousins, expressing the hope, rather than despair found in being alone. TÕNU NAELAPEA
Liisa Käärid, LL.M – Corporate commercial lawyer, most recently as Vice-President, Legal Affairs, Senior Leadership Team, Weston Group Legal for Loblaw Companies Limited. She was leader of Digital/ Technology, Intellectual Property and Marketing Legal Teams and led the protect ing and monetizing many of Canada’s top brands including President’s Choice®, no name® and Life Brand®. Liisa, who is cur rently living in Estonia, also served on the President’s Choice Children’s charity. “As to why I’m involved…how could I not be? It’s a vision that is inspiring, that is necessary and that is gaining critical mass on the basis of the hours of thought and effort that have come before us. I want to lend my shoulder to the wheel and am honoured to do so.”
his third term as president of the Estonian House. “I’ve been very active in the Estonian community in many capacities and have been a director of the Estonian House since 2015 at a time when we were starting to look forward to a new future for the Estonian community. It’s taken many twists and turns since then and I’m extremely excited at the momentum we have now. What also draws me to this project is the opportunity we have to strengthen links between ‘Eesti’ and ‘välis-Eesti’.”
to my grandparents’ diamond anniversary party. This is an exciting opportunity for me to help and give back to the community. Onward and upward!”
Lea Kõiv, BComm, CPA, CMA, CA, CFP, TEP – In her consulting business, Lea works with accountants, lawyers, actuaries and other professionals, as well as high-net worth clients, in tax, retirement and estate planning. Former National Director, Retail Tax & Estate Planning at Standard Life, she also had long tenures on the Boards of the Estonian Ecumenical Relief Organization and Ehatare’s Estonian Relief Committee and is currently on the Board of Northern Birch Credit Union, where she also serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee. “I have extensive knowledge of tax issues and how this impacts organizations, and I am ready to help this initiative deal effectively with them.” Mihkel Kütti, B.A. – An expert in new busi ness development and experiential market ing, he is Business Development Manager, Enterprise (Americas), Ai-Media where he is responsible for selling services to new pros pects, growing the existing client base; securing partnerships and creating, organiz ing and maintaining pipelines and work flows for North American new business. Mihkel is also a scout leader for the Toronto 250th Boy Scouts and serves on the executive leadership of the Estonian Academic Society. “If there’s an Estonian organization, I’ve probably been involved in it. I’m excited to pitch in with this project, roll up my sleeves and get to work.” Veiko Parming, B.A.Sc., M.S.T., Principal Consultant with CPCS Transcom Limited specializing in transportation sector policy, economics and strategy, and now serving
Lea Kõiv
Mihkel Kütti
Eric Sehr, M.U.P. – Eric is a dedicated public servant and as Program Manager Business Operations, he leads and manages key port folios for Toronto Building, the City of Toronto department that reviews and issues building permits and inspects construction for compliance. These portfolios include capital and operating budgeting, human resources planning, staff training, quality assurance, and risk management. He has served on the board of the Estonian House since 2015. “I’m passionate about Toronto and the Estonian community and this project helps put our stamp on both – as well as continue the legacy our grand parents built for us.” Urve Tamberg, M.B.A., D.H.A., B.Sc. (P.T.) – Urve has over 30 years’ experience in senior executive roles in both the public and private sectors including Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, with a focus on strategy, business development and stake holder engagement. Urve was Executive Manager of the IEC Project’s Steering Committee, has served on the board of the Estonian House since 2017 and is a volun teer on EKN/Estonian Central Council in Canada. “It’s really exciting to know that our global Estonian community has the vitality to keep our arts and culture vibrant. We have something extraordinary here and a once in a lifetime opportunity to continue the legacy that our parents and grand parents gave us.” Peter Viitre, B. Comm., L.L.B, – A lawyer for over 25 years, Peter is Partner, Commercial Group, Sotos LLP, and head of the firm’s Home Services and Retail Practice areas. He works extensively with franchises in these areas as well as the automotive industry. “I look forward to bringing my experience serving on various other boards to the table. I have many, many fond memories of Eesti Maja from confirmation dinners
Veiko Parming
Eric Sehr
The boards of International Estonian Centre Inc. and Estonian Arts Centre comprise volunteers who have the skills and expertise necessary to oversee project transition into construction and thereafter into a fully tenanted and operational cultural and events space in the culture and acade mia district of Toronto as well as our local and global community home to gather for activities, celebrate our heritage and show case our culture. Fortunately, our community has many qualified candidates with excep tional credentials, involvement, and ex perience. The IEC Steering Committee, together with its subcommittees, and the Estonian House in Toronto Ltd. (EH) board who appoints directors to the two boards, considered the right mix of skills, age, gender, Estonians and parents of Estonians for the initial expansion of these boards off. New board member nominees are always welcomed by the Estonian House board throughout the year. Get involved and help support our future Are you interested in helping build this spectacular new home for the global Estonian community? Please join our grow ing list of capital campaign donors! The International Estonian Centre’s donor cate gories are Kalevipoja Laud for gifts over $100,000 (including naming rights for spe cific areas), Viru Vanemad for gifts over $10,000, and Kungla Rahvas for gifts up to $10,000. Stay tuned for the launch of the Kungla Rahvas campaign in 2021. To make a donation, please contact donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All Canadian and U.S. donations will be issued a tax receipt. Let’s keep in touch! • Visit our website www.estoniancentre. ca for all the latest news • Sign up for our monthly email newsletter at www.estoniancentre.ca • Follow us on Facebook: @EestiKeskus
Urve Tamberg
Peter Viitre
