I have a choice of favourite cafes in Estonia. My first choice is the Kalev Café in the town square in Paide (Vee 1, Paide, 72713 Järvamaa). It is next to a 15th century Catholic church that has a medieval clock on the sandstone wall. When I was there it was one week before Christmas and the town was decorated with cheerful Christmas lights.

The Kalev Café has the best coffee in Estonia to drink. Their latte is a rich milk coffee that is served extra hot. No doubt to warm up the coffee drinkers sheltering from the blizzard outside.  The counter window has a selection of every Kalev chocolate imaginable. The couches are the next best part of the Kalev coffee experience. They are very comfortable. Each group of customers gets their own coffee table. Next to the couches is a warm log fire.

The local tavern in Paide has a medieval atmosphere. It is a one story house that has been redecorated on the inside with dark wooded tables and chairs. There are no electrical lights only candles on the walls and tables.

Image courtesy of Saiakang Chocolaterie

In Tallinn my first café preference is the Saiakang Chocolaterie situated in Raekoja Plats. The inside is built as a 13th century cave. The walls are stuccoed with egg whites giving them a pale white finish. The choice 10 different coffee beans and 12 different teas from around the world means you will never find coffee drinking dull again. They serve salad, cold meat and fresh trout sandwiches on black rye bread.

The owner has a factory where the cakes are made every morning and brought to the café. My choice is the Tiramisu, it is the one and only and cannot be beaten for taste. They also have a raspberry torte covered with fresh berries.

This café is open from 6.30 am. At this time in the morning the customers are builders and painters in their work gear getting their coffee and breakfast to go.
Closing time is 11 pm. At night it is a great place to relax, unwind and to thaw out from the icy winds outside in wintertime.

Image courtesy of Kehrwieder

The next café that has a very nice ambience is the Kehrwieder Reading Café (Viru 23, Tallinn) located in the Apollo Bookstore on the second floor of the Solaris Centre. It is situated before the entrance to the old town.  The seats are antique chaise lounges with oak wood trimmings around the edges. People sit there with a book and students work on their laptops.

The new modern building at the Tallinn Ülikool has a very comfortable cafe. The contemporary design of the building is interesting. It is located at Uus-Sadama 5 on the first floor. All coffees are served with a bar of hazelnut or nougat chocolate. The chocolate in Estonia always tastes better.

Yasmin Tiiu Cooley

Kristina Lupp’s commitment to providing a fabulous menu was spectacular, it was leaked to senior members of the community just days before the event and questions immediately were asked. How was the team to serve the classic “Rosolje” without a plate, not to mention cutlery? The simple answer was Roasted Beetroot and apple salad in witlof . Other dishes included “Lihapraad” Roast Beef with Horseradish and apple sauce, “Gravlax” Sliced vodka cured salmon with herbed goat’s curd and three other fabulous dishes which included “Seene and Kapsa Pirukad”. These were all the usual classics served in a simple but mouth, watering style. Well over one hundred guests enjoyed the afternoon and spilled out of the club rooms area into the hall, the scene was similar to that from many decades ago.

Music from Estonia was played throughout the event as the crowd enjoyed a complimentary glass of wine from a great South Australian winery “Bird in Hand” and very simple modern Estonian cultural books provided a relaxed atmosphere for those wanting the complete experience. What was most impressive was the ex-Adelaide Estonians that flocked back to North Adelaide. Arvo Buck who was fortunate in his annual travel selection. He had no trouble with the European Volcano eruptions as he flew to Australia from Texas in the United States and is set to return for the festival at the end of the year. Gunar Seeman and his delightful family made a day trip to meet Kristina and more importantly her cooking. He flew in from Port Lincoln, which is the Australia’s unquestionable fishing capital. Hope to see you again, thank you for your support. Many others booked their tickets months in advance, it was great to see Peeter Parik, Marika Kulback and many other regulars too many to mention. Kristina and her team moved up several gears to accommodate the demand.

An Earth Quake or minor tremor did shake the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide just a few hours prior to the event, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of this small Estonian community. Kristina Lupp stood firm and her team of volunteers worked through all hurdles. Those that had booked for the modern Estonian and Scandinavian afternoon truly had a spectacular experience. Thoomas Sarapuu and his bar staff supplemented the afternoon in their usual hard working fashion, thank you to all those who assisted. What can we look forward to as this was said to be a one off event? Kristina is a delightful young Canadian Estonian who we have embraced here Adelaide and is happy to share her Northern Hemisphere secrets. A rumour is spreading that she may be still here for the Australian Estonian Festival in December. Keep this quiet.

A closer event is the Estovision night, which is a flow on from the Pub Night concept and is Esto Pub Night 10. Last year this was undoubtedly the most spectacular Australian Estonian event here in Adelaide, and this year we may have a unique opportunity to enjoy her great Estonian cooking while enjoying watching the Estonian entrant on a spectacular new viewing experience. The Estonian House Board, “Selts” and Social committee have combined resources, a visit to Kalev on Jeffcott on Friday May the 28th will not be a disappointment. More details will follow very shortly. Richard Semenov

L to R: Ray Fisher, President of Roads Australia, Arvo, Malle Tinni & Peter Walton, Abigroup's General Manager Major Projects & Technical Services Group at the Gala Dinner

The John Shaw Medal has been awarded annually since 1978 by Roads Australia in recognition of outstanding service to road transport in Australia. An award is only made when the selection committee is satisfied that a candidate merits pre-eminent industry recognition – Arvo’s award was only the 14th Medal presented in the 32 years since its inception.

The citation for his award states, “A true pioneer of modern road construction techniques, Arvo Tinni’s contributions in the fields of road construction and maintenance, pavement design, administration, quality assurance and mentoring of young engineers are esteemed by his peers not only in NSW, but throughout Australia and internationally.

“Arvo Tinni has spent his working life in the pursuit of excellence. His body of work covers not only the practical side of construction but also embraces leading edge design and research. He has a legendary ability to unravel complex problems and come up with innovative solutions.

“Many of the ideas developed by Arvo Tinni, such as road maintenance policies, model specifications and quality assurance in road contracts, have become industry performance standards which exemplify engineering excellence.”

Arvo’s distinguished careers stretches over 50 years and he has worked for Abigroup for the past 15 years.

“I’m delighted to receive the John Shaw Medal and also pleased for my company Abigroup: as it’s only the second time an employee from a private construction company has received this award,” said Arvo.

“The Australian road construction industry has undergone many changes for the better over the course of my career and I’m proud to have played a part in helping along this process.”

Among some of Arvo’s achievements are:

• writing the first Department of Main Roads (DMR) Model Specifications for Roadworks;
• establishing the first DMR pavement management system;
• documenting the contract road maintenance policy for the South Australian Department of Transport;
• implementing the first electronic toll collection system in Australia; and
• assisting a team from Abigroup and the RTA develop the design of the world first, award winning Seamless Reinforced Concrete Paving system for the M7.

The John Shaw Medal citation concludes with the words, “Arvo Tinni gives generously of his time and expertise to educate others. He mentors young engineers and shares his vast experience and knowledge through regular technical papers which he writes and publishes.”

The Medal is awarded in honour of the work of John Shaw who was Commissioner of the NSW Department of Main Roads from 1962 to 1967 and then went on to become Commissioner of the City of Sydney and National President of the Australian Road Federation.

There were a variety of question rounds including Sõrve questions (how many years has Peter Maasepp been Laagri Juht?), music listening rounds and name the famous movie quotes. The hosts Kati and Arvi did a great job not only reading out the questions but providing entertainment for the night. Toni was the marker and scorer and didn’t accept any bribes whilst running up and down the stairs for some quiet to get the job done quicker. The common phrase “the judge’s decision is final” could be heard if there were any murmurs of discontent from the floor.

As well as the questions to stretch the participant’s minds, we had games to be played and raffles to be won. In the coin toss Maali won a large jar of hapukurgid with only one turn; Hiie finally won the bottle of The Tall Blonde vodka after many challengers trying to beat her; and Marika took out the chocolates in the kid’s round. Jars of homemade ‘world famous’ Lehtsalu Hapukurgid were auctioned off to the highest bidder, one jar going for $50! Three baskets filled with a variety of goodies were raffled with the winners being – Kristjan, Barbara and Chris.

Congratulations to the winning table who won by only a few points, they received bottles of champagne, chocolates and piparkoogid for their efforts – Eva, Hillar, Koidula, Peeter, Juhan, Arne and Riina.

The evening was filled with much laughter, good friends and fun times, and we raised more than $1900. Thank you to the leaders for helping out over the evening, and to all our trivia participants who came and supported Sõrve.

We look forward to seeing you at the next Sõrve Sõbrad event.

Toni Lehtsalu and Kati Koreneff

For me, there was no one location or experience I enjoyed more than another, the whole holiday was truly humbling and moving. The exposure to that part of my heritage left me feeling more mature and fulfilled.

It was such an extraordinary feeling to realise that there is another civilisation that exists outside of Australia. This may seem ignorant, but for someone who has never travelled overseas the concept of different languages, foods, clothing and life in general is hard to grasp or fully understand.

However, it is when you are placed right in the thick of it that you realise how magnificent the world is. I was overcome by both the beauty of the physical environment and my family surroundings. I was so grateful that these people, majority of who were only names I have heard Memme talk about, were willing and eager to take us in. It was their stories, homes, cooking and life style that made this trip so memorable.

Although, it was when my confidence and navigational skills grew I began to explore the streets of the old town by myself, which was also unforgettable. Even though this was an entirely different experience to the loud and joyous scenes of meeting family, I enjoyed it just as much. It was in these solo adventures that I would sit on a bench under the shade of a tree and simply “people watch”, drawing what I saw.

For me, going overseas is not about joining a tour group of fellow foreigners and walking the streets. Rather, it is about absorbing the culture to the greatest extent, in the most real and interesting way (even if it does mean travelling to Hiiumaa, sitting in a 120 degrees sauna and then jumping into a pond.)

This trip has had a profound effect on me and my life. With plans to go back when I finish school I look forward to seeing my new family again and hope to one day not feel like a foreigner.
Ellen Jenkinson

Who is Ellen Jenkinson? Ellen is 16 years old and one of Helle-Mall Risti’s granddaughters. She lives in North Curl Curl and is a year 12 student at Freshwater Senior Campus. Having recently been elected as one of the school captains for 2010 Ellen’s favourite subject is English, considering pursuing a career in journalism. Her interest in her Estonian heritage has always been prevalent, writing about it in school assignments. She was proud to wear the Rapla national costume in Primary School, when speaking about her grandmother’s long road to Australia. Ellen will also be completing her Major Art Work for the HSC based on her experiences from a recent trip to Estonia.

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 Estonian 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