Häid pühi ja Head uut aastat!

Christmas is again here, but unfortunately circumstances prevent us from celebrating together. Still, we hope that the joy of Christmas is in every home. To bring you some holiday cheer, we’re sending a couple of links where the Tartu boys choir sings an Estonian Christmas carol and a well-known English carol.  Since the Estonian song may not be familiar to all, the text is printed below.  No translation, so practise your Estonian.  

Olav Ehala / Ilmar Trull – Kuuse tegemise laul – YouTube

G.F.Händel/Lowell Mason – Joy to the World – YouTube

Kuuse Tegemise Laul

Olav Ehala and Ilmar Trull

VANASTI, KUI KUUSKE TEHTI,
TEMALE EI TEHTUD LEHTI.
LEHED OLID JÄLLE OTSAS,
OLID TEISTE PUUDE OTSAS.

 LEHED OLID JÄLLE LÄBI,
OKAS TALLE JÄI, JA KÄBI.
LEHTPUU SUVITI ON LEHTES,
SÜGISETI PIDUEHTES.

KUUSK ON IKKA IGIHALJAS,
EALES TA EI OLE PALJAS,
TA EI OSKA LEHTIDA.
HEA ON KUUSKE EHTIDA.

Jõulupuu

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our survey regarding a Christmas party. The situation related to COVID is still uncertain and only a relatively small minority of members were interested in an indoor party with food. We have decided with regret that it was wisest not to organize a Christmas gathering this year.

Black Ribbon Day

Lyyli Elliott

We are sad to share the news of the recent death of Lyyli Elliott who has been a member of our Society for many years.  Details of Lyyli’s interesting life can be found in her Ottawa Citizen obituary

Doris Smith

We are sad to announce that a well known member of our Society and good friend, Doris Smith, has passed away. Her generous and friendly nature will always remain in our memory.  Doris led a remarkable life, details of which can be found here Tributes for Doris Manon Smith | Tubman Funeral Homes

Independence Day Feb. 24th

Happy Estonian Independence Day!

Since we are unable to celebrate the occasion together, here is a link to a beloved song based on Lydia Koidula’s poem, Mu isamaa on minu arm ( My fatherland, my love ).

In the midst of winter, songs warm hearts and souls and brighten your mood at home.

Long live Estonia!

Christmas Greetings

Tiit Kauri

We are writing with the sad news that our well-known and good friend Tiit Kauri has passed away. His contribution over the years to the Ottawa Estonian community was invaluable and varied. He was a very active member of the Society, and made liberal contributions of his time to our Estonian school and St. Paul’s Estonian Ev. Lutheran Church in Ottawa. His generous and friendly nature will always remain in our memory. https://ottawacitizen.remembering.ca/obituary/tiit-kauri-1080691125

Truth and Justice at 2020 EUFF

The European Union Film Festival Online edition will be presented across Canada, from November 13 to 29, 2020.

On Sunday November 22, the Estonian film, Truth and Justice will be made available to subscribers. This film, based on the classic eponymous Estonian novel, Truth and Justice, is a winning blend of family saga, psychological thriller, and courtroom drama.

Complete information on the festival, films, and tickets can be found on the Canadian Film Institute’s website.

BALTS’ UNITY DAY 2020

On the occasion of the Balts’ Unity Day 2020, everyone is invited to attend a celebratory event on Parliament Hill, on Tuesday, September 22nd, at 5.00 p.m.

Lithuanians and Latvians celebrate the Balts’ Unity Day to commemorate the defeat of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in the Battle of Saulė on 22nd September 1236. Parliaments of Latvia and Lithuania designated 22nd September as the Balts’ Unity Day in 2000.

In Canada we launched the tradition in 2016 and, since then, every year all three Baltic countries organise an event in Ottawa expressing their unity, mutual support and solidarity.

Starting at 4.50 p.m., all will gather on Parliament Hill, next to the Centennial Flame. We invite you to bring national flags and join us to sing national anthems with other members of our local communities.

Afterwards we invite all participants to join us for informal gathering.