In how many places across the world have “Silent Night” in Estonian and the Estonian National Anthem sounded devotedly over these 65 years?

65 years ago were the first holidays spent in exile; far from home, homeland, relatives and, for many, also from one’s family members who were dwelling somewhere in the shadows of the unknown. Estonia was, once again, occupied by its Eastern neighbor and many, who hadn’t the opportunity to head secretly towards Sweden, had to reconcile themselves with conditions in wartime Germany. One can only imagine, and still not fully understand, the feelings of these people caught in the unknown, unable to make plans for the future, but who did not lose faith that their Estonia someday would be free again.

The future was dark, but hope persisted in the victory of the Western Alliance, following which the rights of all nations would be restored. Exiles, prisoners of war, soldiers and forced laborers would return to their homelands to begin the necessary reconstruction in both freedom and peace. This was the hope.

During the Christmas season and new year of 1944, people were happy simply in the existence of the possibility to gather in small groups with one’s compatriots, sing Christmas carols, listen to the Christmas liturgy or even poems and children’s Christmas verse, which had to be taught from memory, because there was a nearly complete lack of Estonian language literature. Many marked the holidays together with war-exiles, prisoners of war and forced laborers of other countries, if at all.

Everything progressed differently from expectations. After that armistice, one was required to battle against extradition to the Soviets, to live through the problems of DP (Displaced Persons – a.k.a. refugee) camps, UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration) screenings and demeaning attitudes of their operatives. All of this while at the same time attempting to pass on an Estonian-language education to one’s children and to preserve the “Estonian mind” and culture, until it began to become evident that the hope of a prompt return to the homeland, for a longer term, would remain only a hope. It would be necessary to find new opportunities for arranging one’s life and circumstances, to locate roads, to find work even farther from home. Even the majority of the intelligentsia had to accept whatever work was offered to provide for their subsistence and their children’s schooling. Although the expatriates were hurled everywhere across the globe, with tenacity, persistence and will-power, they achieved, in a relatively short period of time, a new life while simultaneously founding organizations for political battle as well as for the purpose of preserving Estonian-mindedness and Estonian culture; to bring into the future that culture and that spirit in which they had been raised and had grown. From which, in fact, they had built the very Nation [Eesti].

65 years is a long time and many generations have sprouted and grown abroad in the interim. The larger portion of the former expatriate population has, already, left he physical world. Even those who, at the time were in toddlers shoes are now seniors and grandparents themselves. Many have found the complete return to their beloved homeland unsuitable, due to the length of elapsed time and the progression of concepts and notions along their varying routes. For the younger generation, who aren’t burdened as heavily by war-time experiences and exile life, the return seems easier and yet, few of them have returned to reside in their forefathers’ land either, especially when compared to the outflow of youth from Estonia. And we know all too well what it means to acclimate to a new culture even if the individual’s roots spring from it.

We must honor and give great credit to the generation who has raised its children as Estonian-minded progeny and preserved the Estonian language as well as possible in the midst of another culture. To them belong our thanks who on the tenebrous [dark] nights, wherever they happened to be at the time, never lost faith and remained determined; to those who were devoid of the spirit of surrender.
With gratitude, I wish all of those who have lived through the war-exile experience, their expatriate descendants and estophiles; once more, a pleasant end of the year and the will, desire and strength required to take action for the good of Estonian ideals and customs (the Estonian Mind) and for continued and even increased activities in the interest of the Estonian nation; in the spirit of our Grandparents and in the firm belief of a better Estonia in the coming year. Also to the newly arrived Estonians immigrants, the fortitude to preserve and advance the Estonian language and Estonian culture, at large, as the expatriate generation had and did.

by Aime Andra,
Vaba Eesti Sõna#51, 2009
Translated by: Tenno Andra

Estonian Review Vol 20 No 4 2010

Estonian Review Archive 2010

Estonian Review Vol 20 no. 3, January 13-19, 2010
Estonian Review Vol 20 no. 2, January 6-12, 2010
Estonian Review Vol 20 no. 1, December 15 – January 5, 2010

Estonian Review Archive 2009

Estonian Review no. 45, December 9-14, 2009
Estonian Review no. 44, December 2-8, 2009
Estonian Review no. 43, November 25 – December 1, 2009
Estonian Review no. 42, November 18-24, 2009
Estonian Review no. 41, November 11-17, 2009
Estonian Review no. 40, November 4-10, 2009
Estonian Review no. 39, 28 October – 3 November 2009
Estonian Review no. 35, September 30-October 3, 2009
Estonian Review no. 34, September 23-29, 2009
Estonian Review no. 33, September 16-22, 2009
Estonian Review no. 32, September 9-15, 2009
Estonian Review no. 31,  September 2-8, 2009
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Thirlmere Estonian Choir c.1950. Photograph Wollondilly Heritage Centre

The book contains personal stories on 25 pioneering families, (with 200 photos, some are in colour), describing life, which people nowadays would have difficulty in comprehending. There were hardships, such as there was no town water supply or electricity. How did people manage to live like that? With hard work, many of those pioneering Estonians were able to help new Estonian settlers establish poultry farms, after WWII.

The author found it necessary to write the book, (in English), about the pioneer Estonians, thus  preserving the history of the Thirlmere Estonians for future generations.

These pioneer  Estonians established the Estonian community in Thirlmere, where now there is the Thirlmere Estonian Society Koit, Koit Choir and the Estonian Village, so the Thirlmere Estonian community lives on.

Price of book: $30 + pack.& post.
Email: valdurliira@optusnet.com.au

Published in Meie Kodu no 48, 2009 (16.12.2009)

In September I was privileged to participate in the International conference about Children as the Invisible Victims of War. I had always believed that the journey through a war zone looked different through the eyes of a child compared with what the adult saw. My time at that conference validated that notion for me.

At the conference was a diversity of presenters, all with a wealth of experience behind them: Among them a contingent of those who were children during World War II. I was quite unaware how extensive was the evacuee program: Presenters at the conference included Finnish and UK evacuees, a speaker from the kinder transport to UK and one from the Shoa. I guess I represented the DP kids. The children of the Norwegian Qvisling fathers were too represented via a researcher in that field and we heard with much sadness the tale of the children of German heroes turned villains as they returned home disgraced.

Despite our differing national origins the entire cohort seemed to bond instinctively. We all seemed to be feeling something similar: how much of what we remembered was really valid?

The feelings were not too different to those of that my cohort felt when we met in Geislingen last year.

Compiling “When the Noise Had Ended” for me was a surreal experience. It was an opportunity for many of us to touch the past, an opportunity to finally recognize that we as children too had been carved into our present identities by those winds of fate: That we too were part of that journey.

Many of my Australian colleagues and friends when they look at our book still remark that our people did not endure nearly as much as the newer refugee cohorts to come to Australia. I find it hard to tolerate the notion of point scoring when comparing vastly differing journeys: I find it even harder to tolerate these people diminishing the courage and incredible fortitude of our parents.

It is definitely time to set the facts right: Our parents deserve that recognition.

I was too small to remember in detail the journey through wartime Estonia to Geislingen. I was old enough to remember at the age of just three my disbelief at mother’s words when we arrived in Geislingen. I could not believe in her promise of “there will be no more terror’. There are many déjà vu’s to validate that notion when I read adults’ accounts of that time. Many of you, who left Estonia as children, will have far more coherent accounts than the ‘jõmms’.

• My hope is to compile a book of what you as children remember of that journey.

Also during the Geislingen project I became aware of the notion that the first five years in the new lands seemed to caste the die for what lay ahead.

• That is the subject for another book. One to which perhaps those who were toddlers in Geislingen and other camps might like to contribute, too: I am sure that many of you will remember the travails of our parents in those years.

Neither book has an age constraint: only that during some part of either journey you were a child or adolescent. The story length will of course vary: Clearly the older you were the more acute your memories and the more of them. And of course very short stories are also important: they tell of the more truncated snippets of memories of the younger of us.

If you would be interested in contributing to either or both books could you please contact me for more details at

mai_maddissoon@aapt.net.au

Thank you for your help with those projects.

By Mai Maddisson

Published in Meie Kodu n0. 45, 18.11.2009

You are invited to take part in a survey of migrant adjustment in Australia.  This research is part of an international project that will help to understand and explain which problems people living abroad have to face and what helps them.  I would be very grateful if you could complete the following anonymous questionnaire here: http://migrantsurvey.speedsurvey.com

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

You may participate in this survey if you are an immigrant to Australia, currently living in Australia, and over the age of 18. I am very interested to receive responses from people who arrived in Australia a long time ago, as well as from younger generations. Your responses are completely anonymous – we will not collect any information that could identify you personally.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The questionnaire takes most people around 20-30 minutes to complete. We hope you will be able to find the time to complete the questionnaire.

WHAT’S INVOLVED?

The survey will ask questions about different aspects of your adjustment to life in Australia and your feelings of inclusion in the community.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT

This survey is being conducted by researchers at the University of New England, NSW.  If you have any questions about the research, you are welcome to contact Sue Watt at sue.watt@une.edu.au.

It is expected that the data will be analysed by 28 February, 2010.  Please, send your responses by the end of December.
If you would like general information about the outcome of the project, please contact Sue Watt after that date. Sue’s email address is sue.watt@une.edu.au.

PROJECT APPROVAL

This project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of New England (Approval No. HE09-036/ valid to 20th March, 2010).

We thank you for your cooperation.

Sue Watt, PhD
University of New England

http://migrantsurvey.speedsurvey.com

Published in Meie Kodu no. 44, 18.11.2009

Mayor Allan Sutherland said as judge of the 2009 awards Jillian Beardsworth had the credentials and experience necessary to find the winning entries from an extremely strong line-up of 300 young artistic masterpieces.

Year-10 St Paul’s School student Liisa Kuru, from Camp Mountain, won her category (Grade 4 to 7 three dimensional category) with her three-dimensional piece “Courtest”. This is the second year Liisa has taken out this prize.

“Congratulations not only to the winners but all the young artists who participated in the awards, it demonstrates the creative arts have a bright future in the Moreton Bay region” the Mayor said.

The Youth Art Awards exhibition is open week days, from 3pm to 6pm and on weekends, from 10 am to 4pm. The Strathpine Community Centre is located at 199 Gympie Road, with entry and parking off Mecklem Street, Strathpine.

For more information, call Pine Rivers Art gallery, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, on 3480 6941.

Moreton Bay Regional Council, 28.10. 2009
The Westerner, 05.11.2009

Published In Meie Kodu no 44 (November 18, 2009)

On the Photo: Liisa Kuru with her work ‘Courtest’ (St Paul’s Samford);
Moreton Bay Regional Art Awards, Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Strathpine.
Photo: Brad Cooper

***

Liisa elab oma vanemate ja vennaga Brisbane’is. Ta on olnud aastaid Sõrve “kodanik”.
Sellel aastal käis ta esimest korda Eestis – Laulu- ja Tantsupeol.

The next Estonian dinner no 4 to celebrate Christmas will be held on Friday 11th December at Eesti Maja.  This is a great chance to enjoy a social night with friends- Estonian or others bring them along, maybe even catch up with old friends. The food will be platters of finger foods from the BBQ. Get your bookings in early as we are limiting the numbers so we can eat downstairs and in the open area next to the Esto Cafe. The price is still $20 per person.

If you are able to come please reply to Mick Nelson on 02 98742876 or micknelson1@bigpond.com.

See you there
Mick Nelson

Sydney Eesti Rahvatantsurühm Virmalised sai oma nimelise alguse 1969. a, kui Sydney Eesti Seltsi Rahvatantsurühm võttis nime „Sydney Eesti Seltsi Rahvatantsu Trupp Virmalised“. Asutati juhatus, mille esimeheks sai Karl Treffner, tantsujuhiks oli Karin (Kai) Sumbak ja pillimees oli Raivo Kalamäe.

Aastal 1970 oli meil kirjas 51 tantsijat ja 1972. a olid tantsijad juba jaotatud kolme rühma, kokku 64 tantsijat koos pillimehega. 1973. a asutati organisatsioon, mille nimeks sai Sydney Noorsoorühmitus “Virmalised“, ja mille haldusesse kuulus noorte laulukoor ja rahvatantsurühm koos naisvõimlejate grupiga. Kinnitati põhikiri, mille järgi grupp hakkas tegutsema. Teine punkt põhikirjas seletas ära meie rühma sihid. (Virmaliste rühmituse sihiks on meie rahvuspärimiste edasikandmine ja viljelemine rahvatantsude harrastamise ja esitamise, rahvarõivaste kasutamise, eesti keele tarvitamise, eesti lauluga tutvumise ja selle esitamise ja eesti naisvõimlemise harrastamise kaudu.)

Rühma tantsujuhiks sai Annelie Sildnik, kes juhendas rühma kuni aastani 1978. Madis Alvre on juhendanud rühma 1979. aastast.
Virmalised on pidevalt rikastanud eesti ühiskonna üritusi Sydneys, Thirlmere’is, Wollongongis, Newcastle’is, Brisbane’is, Melbourne’is ja Adelaide’is, osaledes kohalike Eesti Seltside poolt korraldatud üritustel, Eesti Päevadel ja esinedes ESTO88 raames Melbourne’is.

Aastate jooksul on Virmalised esinenud eesti rahvatantsuga mitte ainult oma rahvale vaid ka laiemale ühiskonnale nii mitmel üritusel, et on raske kõiki kirja panna. Lisaks osalemisele Baltimaade üritustel, koolides ja puhkekodudes, oli meeldejäävaks 1973. a Sydney Ooperimaja avamisega seotud pidustused, millele järgnes regulaarne osalemine folkloorifestivalidel, kus esineti nii kontsertsaalis kui Sydney Ooperimaja esiväljakul.

Hilisemal ajal oleme osa võtnud Austraalia tipp rahvafestivalist Canberra’s, „National Folk Festival”, kus esmakordselt 2001. a lihavõtte pühadel esinesime kolm korda ja õpetasime eesti rahvatantse tantsuhuvilistele, ja kus õnnestus kohtuda pillimeestega „Salmiakki Pelimannit“ Newcastle’ist, kes pakkusid välja meid edsaspidi saata, ja tänaseni saadavad meid suurematel esinemistel. National Folk Festival’il 2005. a esinesime koos rahvatantsu ansambliga ”Kandali”, kes olid meil külas Tallinnast. Senini oleme seitse korda võtnud osa sellest üritusest, esinedes eesti rahvatantsudega ja suuremates lavastustes koos teiste põhjamaade rahvatantsurühmadega.

Tihe koostöö on toimunud Sydney rootsi rahvatantsurühmaga, „Linnea” alates 2001. aastast. Esmakordselt esinesid Virmalised koos Linnea’ga, esitades eesti, rootsi ja soome tantse, „Eurofest” pidustusel, mis toimuvad Sydney’s. Suurimateks ettevõteteks samal aastal olid „National Maritime Museum’i” 10. a juubelil 1628 aastast “Vasa” rootsi kuningalaeva näituse raames esinemine Linnea’ga  ja Virmaliste algatusel korraldatud tantsu- ja muusikaprogramm „Põhjamaa Tantsud” („Dances of the North”), Sydney Läti Majas. Seal liitusid Virmalistega kohalikud rootsi, soome, läti ja leedu tantsijad ja norra laulja koos meie muusikutega Salmiakki Pelimannit. Tänaseni kutsutakse esinema Sydney, Rootsi, Soome, Läti ja Küpruse Seltside poolt korraldatud pidustustel, kusjuures meeldejääv on olnud esinemine külalissoomlaste „Pitko” ja „Akkasikko” kontserdil „Nordic Gathering”.

Rahvatants on osa Sõrve eesti noorte suvelaagri tegevusest, kus 2002. aastast oleme järjekindjalt käinud esinemas ja ka õpetamas laagri elanikele rahvatantse, Salmiakki Pelimannit saatel.

Virmalised inkorporeerusid 2008. a, ja rühma ametlikuks nimeks sai „Virmalised – Northern Lights – Sydney Estonian Folk Dancers Incorporated”. Tänavu pühitseme 40 tegevusaastat Virmalistena. Sellel ajavahemikul on mitu põlvkonda koos tantsinud. On sõprusi loodud, mis ikka kestavad. Nii mitmed rahvatantsupaarid on otsustanud oma leivad ühte kappi panna ja abiellunud ja nende lastest on samuti saanud rahvatantsijad.

Virmaliste 40. nime aastapäeval tähistab eesti ühiskond 75 aastat esimesest eesti rahvatantsu esinemisest Sydney’s. Virmalised tänavad kõiki organisatsioone ja isikuid, kes on toetanud nii pikka aega eesti rahvatantsu säilitamist Austraalias. Meie rühma eriline tänu Sydney Kunsti- ja Käsitööringile, kelle liikmed aitasid valmistada ühised rõivad meie tantsijatele, mis on olnud kasutuses üle kolmekümne aasta ja mille järgi meid tuntakse.

Kõik endised tantsijad ja tantsuhuvilised, koos pere ja sõpradega, on kutsutud pidulikule õhtusöögile laupäeval,  21. novembril 2009. a, Sydney Eesti Majja, tähistama meie suursündmust.

Madis Alvre
Meie Kodu nr. 43, 11. november, 2009

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