Estonians in the Canadian Mosaic

(Chapter 1, pp. 1-9)

The shifting patterns of immigration over the past 20 years have altered the complexion of Canada, as well as the position of Estonians within Canadian society. Since the main postwar years of Estonian immigration - in 1951 alone 4,573 Estonians arrived in Canada - immigration has barely increased the size of the Canadian Estonian population; in 1974, for example, a mere 25 Estonian immigrants came to this country. By comparison, of the 131,455 immigrants to Canada in 1981-82, some 54,000 were from Africa and Asia. As a result of the influx of non-Caucasians, Estonians have become part of the Canadian mainstream.

According to the 1971 census, there were 18,810 Estonians in Canada. In general terms that population is aging, a fact that has led to the establishment of Estonian pensioners' clubs in major Estonian centres across the country. Estonian church records reveal further evidence of this trend. At the end of the 1960s, for example, the birth-to-death ratio among Estonians was three to one. During the period 1972-1981, however, that ratio changed drastically and is now thought to be about one birth for every 1.9 deaths, it should be noted, however, that those estimates do not take into account such factors as mixed marriages, which between 1972 and 1981 accounted for 64.3 percent of Estonian marriages. As a result, many children are not raised as Estonians or baptized in Estonian churches, and are not included in church records.

In Canada, there has not been much movement of Estonians between provinces during the past 12 years, with the exception of the Estonian exodus from Quebec because of the political changes in that province during the 1970s. Estonians have continued to contribute to Canadian society, a fact evidenced by the high number of Estonians with university degrees. It is estimated that up to 1972 some 1,000 Estonians graduated from Canadian universities. Since then, that number is thought to have increased by more than 500.

Eastern Canada

(Chapter 2, pp.10-15)

The generally diminishing Estonian population is particularly noticeable in Eastern Canada. From Montreal to the Atlantic provinces, a widespread exodus has taken place - in Quebec because of political reasons, and in Atlantic Canada because of the region's unfavorable economic climate. Nova Scotia's Estonian population is the largest in the Atlantic Provinces, and according to the 1981 census numbered 85. The relatively small size of the community has not been enough to sustain many independent activities, and as a result the spiritual needs of Nova Scotia's Estonians have been served by pastors from Montreal who travel east to hold annual church services. But the small community continues to commemorate important national events such as the anniversary of Estonian Independence.

In general, Nova Scotia's Estonians enjoy a comfortable existence and many own their own homes, cars and boats. Estonians have also made important contributions to Maritime life in many fields, including medicine, science, journalism and business. Mention should also be made of the small Estonian population in Saint John, New Brunswick, where 27 Estonians lived as of 1982. This small community has nevertheless been active in acquainting the general public with Estonian culture and political problems.

According to the 1981 census, there were 695 people in Quebec whose first language was Estonian, although according to information received from Estonian organizations that number appears low. It is estimated that some 750 Estonians reside in the province, most of them in the Montreal area, although small pockets of Estonians are found in other Quebec centres such as Sherbrooke in the Eastern Townships. North of Montreal, Dalesville continues to be the favorite Estonian vacation spot in the province. Although previously a large Estonian vacation centre existed around the town of Venise on the shore of Lake Champlain, it has diminished over the years. Other smaller Estonian centres east of Toronto are Ottawa with about 200 people of Estonian origin, and Kingston, where the small Estonian population is comprised mostly of pensioners.

Montreal

(Chapters, pp. 16-24)

Because of the political situation that arose in Quebec after the Quiet Revolution of the early 1960s, Montreal's largely white-collar Estonian population has undergone fairly drastic changes, especially since 1972. The general exodus of non-Francophones from the province, most noticeable after the election of the Parti Quebecois in 1976, has led to a decline in the number of Estonians in the city. According to the records of the city's St. John's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregation, the congregation numbered 1,360 in 1953. By 1973 that number had declined to 884, and by 1982 to 477. Particularly evident is the aging of Montreal's Estonian population: in 1982, 50 percent of Montreal's Estonians were pensioners, a result of the fact that the majority of young Estonians have moved elsewhere in Canada.

Still, those Estonians who remain in Montreal have demonstrated that even a quickly diminishing society can do much to preserve its language and culture. Montreal's Estonians continue to celebrate some 20 annual events, not including church services. As well, some 150 Estonians, 45 of them direct participants in various events, took part in Esto '76 in Baltimore, and at Esto' 80 in Stockholm. Montreal Estonian Helle Leitham was crowned Miss Esto '80. On October 22-23, 1977, Montreal Estonians organized a symposium-"Estonian Society in Montreal"- with the intention of fostering more participation in Estonian activities. The symposium, which was attended by some 250 Montreal Estonians as well as many people from Toronto, included discussions and presentations by experts from as far away as New York City. This high level of activity is largely due to the fact that despite diminishing membership the city's Estonian organizations are still healthy. The Montreal Estonian Society, whose membership had declined to 150 in 1982, remains the primary coordinator of events, and represents Estonians at multicultural functions. Montreal's St. John's Lutheran Church is still the focal point for many activities. Although in 1977 the congregation lost its founder and longtime pastor when Karl Raudsepp left to become the Estonian Lutheran bishop, he was replaced by Heino Laaneots from England. Of other Estonian organizations, the Montreal Estonian Veterans Association celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1982. The boy scout group Kalev and the girl guide group Virve continue their activities, as do the Montreal Estonian Mixed-Choir, the folk-dancing ensemble Kuppari, and the Estonian School of Modern Gymnastics. Montreal's Estonians are also represented by Peeter Möldre in Alliance Quebec, a federally financed organization to protect the rights of non-Francophones in Quebec.

Ottawa

(Chapter 4, pp. 25-29)

The number of active Estonians in Ottawa- about 100 - has remained fairly stable since 1972 although at least another 100, mostly young have become Canadianized and seldom take part in Estonian activities. Government jobs have attracted many younger Estonians from other parts of Canada to the capital. The Ottawa Estonian Society (OES), the primary Estonian organization in the city, represents some 70 households. As in other Estonian centres across Canada, the average age of its members - most are more than 60 years old- is a cause of concern. Apart from organizing the annual commemoration of Estonian independence, the OES organizes lectures on topics that interest Estonians. As a member of the Baltic Federation, the society also represents Estonians at multicultural functions involving Latvians and Lithuanians. The Ottawa Estonian Veterans Association also remains active. Although the period 1966-1972 was marked by political passivity, from 1972 on Ottawa Estonians have exhibited a renewed interest in Estonian political concerns.

Toronto

(Chapter 5, pp. 30-56)

The changes undergone by the city of Toronto during the past 12 years have been reflected in the city's Estonian society as well. The construction boom that manifested itself in such grandiose construction projects as the CN Tower and Roy Thomson Hall has had its smaller Estonian counterpoint in the Toronto Estonian House renovations and the construction of the Estonian Home (Eesti Kodu) and Ehatare rest home. In less tangible terms, though, Estonian society in Toronto has been characterized by an aging population. In spite of that, the city continues to be the Estonian centre in Canada both culturally and economically.

One obvious sign of this is the wide variety of services that meet the needs of Toronto's Estonians. The Toronto Estonian House on Broadview Avenue, now worth about $1.5 million, is the focal point for Estonian activities in the city. To increase the space available to Estonian organizations, the Estonian House's administration undertook an extension of the building in 1975. When completed in 1976, the project had added 7,500 square feet to the building. The Estonian House is the home of many Estonian organizationsùamong them the Toronto (Estonian) Credit Union, which as a result of the extension increased its floor space and expanded operations, the Estonian Relief Committee in Canada and the Estonian Association of Toronto. The Estonian House is also used for a variety of Estonian functions such as folk-dancing and choir practices.

Because Toronto's Estonian population is the largest in Canada, the city has nine Estonian church congregations. Most Toronto Estonians belong to the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, whose largest congregations are St. Peter's and St. Andrew's. Both congregations have undergone a change in pastors: at St. Peter's, longtime Pastor O. Puhm retired in 1982 and was replaced by A. Taul, formerly at St. Andrew's. In turn, Udo Petersoo became pastor at St. Andrew's, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of its church building in 1978.

Many Estonian organizations are based in Toronto. The city is the Estonian political centre, and the offices of I.Heinsoo, honorary Estonian consul general and the Estonian Federation in Canada are located in the Toronto Estonian House. Of other organizations, the Estonian Association of Toronto celebrated its 35th anniversary in 1984. Its most important activity is the organization of the annual commemorative assembly of Estonian independence in February, which for the past 10 years has occurred at the University of Toronto's Convocation Hall. The society also organizes spring and autumn balls as well as assisting in the organization of many other Estonian functions. The Estonian Pensioners' Club of Toronto was established in 1970, and has since then grown to 700 members. It organizes social events for its members, many of them in the Toronto Estonian House. The Toronto Estonian Women's Association is the administrator of the Jõekääru children's summer camp near Udora and also organizes many other activities. It has published the Estonian women's magazine Triinu since 1982. Other organizations of note are the Estonian Central Council in Canada, Estonian Relief Committee in Canada, the Estonian War Invalids Relief Society in Toronto and the National Estonian Foundation of Canada.

Many Toronto organizations cater to the special interests of individual Estonians. The Toronto Estonian Philately Society organizes monthly meetings for its members, as well as larger stamp exhibitions during such functions as the 1972 Estonian World Festival. The 40-member Estonian Cultural Heritage Club works to preserve Estonian culture while the 25-member Friends of Estonian Literature popularizes and studies Estonian literature. The Estonian Canadian Festivals Foundation, wnich was the organizing force behind Esto '84 in Toronto, organizes Estonian festivals and exhibitions. Estonian war veterans in the city are represented by the local Estonian Veterans Association, the largest in Canada, and assists in the organization of various Estonian functions in the city. The Estonian War Veterans League in Canada is also based in Toronto, as is the Estonian Officers Club. The Veterans Club of the Finnish War (Toronto) is made up of those Estonians who fought on the Finnish front during World War II. Its most important accomplishment of the last decade was the publishing of its regimental history. The Veterans of the Air Force Auxilliary represent those Estonians who were in the ground support services of the German Air Force during the last years of World War II. This club has been actively involved in the support of Estonian war invalids.

Toronto is home to a number of Estonian choirs: the Toronto Estonian Male Choir, the Toronto Estonian Mixed Choir, the mixed choir Estonia, the Cantate Domino mixed choir, the Lootus youth choir and the Toronto Estonian Baptist congregation's mixed choir and youth choir Päike (Sun) and others. The cultural life of Toronto's Estonians is further enriched by the city's many Estonian orchestras, theatre groups and the folk-dance ensemble Kungla. As well, many Estonian artists live in Toronto.

Of Toronto's Estonian professional organizations, the following should be noted: the Estonian Agronomists' Assembly, the Estonian Doctors' Association the Estonian Merchant Marine Officers Association of Toronto, the Estonian Business Club in Toronto, the Estonian Law Association of Canada, the Estonian Teachers' Association of Canada and the Estonian Garden Club of Toronto. There are, as well, a number of organizations that represent Estonians according to the region of their origin. The scouting movement is an inseparable part of Toronto Estonian life, with boy scout and girl guide organizations. There are also many sporting organizations: the track and field Estonian Masters Club, Estonian Swim Club, the Kalev Volleyball Club, the Estonian Sailing Club and the Kalev Ski Club. Other sporting organizations include the Toronto Estonian Gun and Rifle Club, the Toronto Estonian Hunters and Anglers Association and the Toronto Chess Club. Best known are the rhythmic gymnastics clubs Kalev-Estienne and Ritmika.

Of educational and academic institutions, the Estonian Association's kindergarten and supplementary schools continue weekly classes. The Forest University (Metsaülikool), Tartu Institute and the Estonian Ethnographical Society in Canada all offer special courses and seminars. The academic fraternity Rotalia owns its own building in the city; other fraternities and sororities are located in Tartu College. The city's Estonians are served by two newspapers: Our Life (Meie Elu) and Free Estonian (Vaba Eestlane). Other publications based in Toronto are the veterans bimonthly publication The Combatant (Voitleja), The Journal (Ajakiri) the politically oriented Nationalist (Rahvuslane), and several others.

Estonians have also been active in Toronto events. For one, they participated in the multicultural Metropolitan Toronto Caravan festivities until 1980, when internal problems led to the withdrawal of some regular participants, including tne Estonians. For the next two years Toronto Estonians organized their own Tallinn Festival for Estonians, but in 1983 they once again took part in Caravan.

Southern Ontario

(Chapter 6,1 pp. 57-63)

Estonians in southern Ontario are concentrated in Hamilton, St. Catharines; Kitchener and London, and since 1950 have maintained representative Estonian associations in each city. But even though total membership in these organizations grew to 485 in 1980 from 460 in 1971, Estonian activities in St. Catharines, Kitchener and London have suffered a marked decline in recent years. Still, these centres continue the tradition of celebrating Estonian events such as the commemoration of Estonian independence.

An esimated 600 Estonians live in or near Hamilton, as many as in the other three southern Ontario centres combined. Estonian organizations in the city are still marked by vitality, as evidenced by such groups as the Hamilton Estonian Association Mixed Choir and the Hamilton Estonian War Veterans' Association. In spite of the death of Pastor A. Kivisikk in 1976, the Hamilton Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregation continues to thrive under the guidance of Pastor T. Nõmmik. In recent years an increasing number of young people have become involved in Hamilton's Estonian organizations. For one, the Hamilton Estonian Association's chairmen have since 1971 all been members of the younger generation.

Estonians from all four southern Ontario centres participate in the administration on the Estonian children's summer camp Seedrioru near Elora, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1980. Although the number of children enrolled in the summer camp has declined drastically since the 1960s, it continues its operations, and financial problems in 1981 were solved with monetary aid from the Seedrioru administration and Ontario government grants. The annual Estonian summer festival at Seedrioru - featuring a traditional outdoor theatre presentation - continues to be popular, and in 1972 marked the official opening of the first Estonian World Festival.

Central and Northern Canada

(Chapter 7, pp. 64-77)

Estonians in central and northern Canada have within the past 12 years remained concentrated in Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, the city's declining Estonian population has resulted in severely curtailed Estonian activities. Although in 1983 only 50 Estonians lived in the city, they continue to be represented by the Winnipeg Estonian Society. In Thunder Bay, Ontario, the area is home to some 200 Estonians. They are represented by the Thunder Bay Estonian Society, established in 1948, which organizes traditional Estonian functions and others such as the 1973 II Central Canada Estonian Festival, attended by about 500 people. Estonians in Thunder Bay also maintain their own Estonian folk-dancing group, a hunting, fishing and sport association and an Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregation.The society and congregation are co-owners of Sillaoru, a 30-acre rural property used for such functions as open-air church services.

The population of Kirkland Lake, one of Ontario's gold-mining centres, was 27,000 in 1947 but has since fallen to 12,000. During the post-World War II period, many Estonians who arrived in Canada worked in Kirkland Lake, and the highest number was 163 in 1952. Now 16 Estonian families - seven of them mixed marriages - live in the town. Still, Estonians have participated in Kirkland Lake's multicultural festivals, held in 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1981.

During the past 12 years, the number of Estonians in the Sudbury area has remained stable at around 250. The 65-member Sudbury Estonian Society is the coordinating organization. It organizes special events such as the commemoration of Estonian President Konstantin Päts's 100th birthday in 1974, as well as more traditional functions such as the annual commemoration of Estonian independence. These events have often featured performers from larger Estonian centres, for example Toronto. As.well, the society ensures that Estonians are represented in Sudbury's multicultural events, such as the art and handicraft exhibit that was part of the city's 1983 centennial celebrations. In 1972, the society also initiated the establishment of an Estonian collection at Laurentian University's library, which now includes about 300 works valued at $2,000. Sudbury's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregation has been active since 1952, and now holds monthly services. The Sudbury Estonian supplementary school, which ceased operation in 1978, was revived in 1982 as a new generation of Estonian children reached school age. By 1983, the school had 17 students - some of them adults.

The first Estonians arrived in Sault Ste. Marie in the early 1900s. During the past 12 years, the Estonian population in the city has numbered about 300. They are represented by the Sault Ste. Marie Estonian Society, which organizes traditional Estonian functions and ceremonies. The society has been active in the city's multicultural Folk Arts Association, which mounts exhibitions. The society also owns a rural retreat called Estonian Beach (Eesti Rand), which has been the site of children's camps as 'well as ETSPO '82, a summer festival which occured in August 1982 and attracted 300 northern Ontario Estonians for three days of sporting competitions, performances and celebrations.

Alberta and Saskatchewan

(Chapter 8, pp. 78-83)

The Western oil boom and subsequent concentration of economic activity in such urban centres as Edmonton and Calgary has had a profound effect on Alberta Estonians. Although the 1981 census reported that 415 people of Estonian descent live in the province, the younger generation has almost exclusively moved from the smaller centres and farming communities to larger cities. As a result, very few Estonians - most of them old - still live in previous Estonian centres such as Baron, Eckville and Stettler, although the substantial contributions made by Estonians in those areas to Alberta's settlement during pioneer days are commemorated in various museum displays and monuments. In Edmonton, the 60-member Edmonton Estonian Society represents the area's Estonians, and in spite of declining interest in ethnic functions still organizes Estonian activities. Calgary's 60-member Calgary Estonian Society also reports a declining interest, although it remains active. Calgary's Estonians have participated in such multicultural functions as the annual International Food Fair and the 1982 Folk Arts Fair. In Saskatchewan, the small number of Estonians has declined even though the province population has grown. There is no organized activity, and only single individuals live in Regina, Saskatoon and smaller centres.

British Columbia

(Chapter 9, pp. 84-92)

British Columbia's 2,000 Estonians-about an eight of Canada's Estonian population-are mostly centred around Vancouver. Although the province's Estonians reflect the aging trend evident throughout Canada's Estonian population, in British Columbia this has resulted in increased stability within Estonian organizations as retired Estonians are able to devote more time to strengthening their society and developing new means of protecting their heritage.

The Vancouver Estonian Society, with a membership of about 350 families, is British Columbia's central Estonian organization. As well as organizing such functions as the annual commemoration of Estonian independence, the society gives monetary support to Estonian students in B.C. universities, publishes a newsletter for West Coast Estonians four to six times a year, maintains a library with a collection of more than 1,000 books, and owns a rural area outside of Vancouver that has become a popular site for Estonian functions. The society also coordinates the activities of such groups as Vancouver's popular folk-dancing ensemble and theatre group, and directs the efforts of the city's Estonian supplementary school, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1975 and still teaches the Estonian language, folk songs and dances to about 30 six- to eight-year-old students a year.

The spiritual needs of Vancouver's Estonians are served by four congregations. The largest of these is St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregation, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1980. The Estonian Church Foundation owns and administers the building that is used by the congregation, the Estonian society and other organizations. The Vancouver Estonian Mixed Choir maintains a membership of about 30 singers who have taken part in all large North American functions such as the Estonian World Festivals. Other organizations of note include the Estonian Pensioners Association and the academic organizations Rotalia and Filiae Patriae, both of which have chapters in Vancouver. British Columbia's Estonians have supported campaigns to free political prisoners in the U.S.S.R., and make substantial monetary contributions to such representative Estonian organizations as the Estonian Central Council in Canada.

Other achievements of British Columbia Estonians include the organization of the biennial West Coast Estonian Festival in conjunction with Estonians in U.S. West Coast centres. Under the auspices of the Society for Advancement of Estonian Studies in Canada, a course dealing with Estonian subjects has been offered at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby since 1983. Many Estonians have also been active in the province's construction industry, and list among their achievements a 22-storey apartment building in Vancouver and an 84-unit apartment building in Surrey. For a brief period, Vancouver Estonians organized their own radio shows on that city's CJVB radio, established in T9J2 as a multicultural station. The English and Estonian language broadcasts introduced Estonian culture to Canadians while at the same time serving the needs of Estonian listeners. The programs ended in 1975 after 154 broadcasts.

National Organisations

(Chapter 10, pp. 93-123)

The Estonian Central Council in Canada (Eestlaste Kesknõukogu Kanadas)

The Estonian Central Council in Canada (ECC) is the democratically elected central organisation Estonian Canadians. The ECC, funded primarily by private donations, has been widely praised as an example of the exceptional organizational abilities of Estonians. Although the ECC does not involve itself in Canadian politics, it has developed ties with Canada's political parties in order to better publicize the continued and unlawful occupation of Estonia by the U.S.S.R., as well as human rights violations within the Soviet Union.

Over the past 10 years the average age of ECC members has become younger. This trend has been evident in the age of ECC chairmen: the present chairman of the council, Laas Leivat, was 39 when elected to that position in 1980. As well, in 1983 Enn Salurand, general secretary of the council since 1958, retired and was replaced by Priit Aruvald, born in 1956. Much of the ECC's work is done by the chairman and general secretary, and the latter is also in charge of the organization's office in Toronto's Estonian House. In recent years the ECC has been characterized by the good working relationship that exists between older and younger members.

The ECC's activities have become revitalized during the past 10 years by the recognition given to Estonians by Canada's politicians. In 1972, John Diefenbaker and then-external affairs minister Mitchell Sharp spoke at Toronto's Estonian World Festival. Since 1973 the annual Baltic Night, held at the Parliament Buildings' Confederation Hall and organized by the Baltic Federation, of which the ECC is a member, have been instrumental in the ECC's development of contacts among Canadian politicians. Among those in attendance in recent years have been Mitchell Sharp, Senator Paul Yuzyk, former U.S. ambassador T. Enders, former governor general Edwgrd Shreyer and former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Much of the ECC's current activity is directed toward making representations to the federal and provincial governments on matters of importance to Estonians. Prior to the Helsinki conference on human rights in 1973, a note was sent to Mitchell Sharp stressing the fact that Western nations should resist the Soviet Union's aim of gaining official recognition of Eastern European boundaries. In 1975, then external affairs minister Allan MacEachen responded to ECC entreaties with the promise that Canada would continue to recognize the de jure existence of the independent republic of Estonia. When the Soviet Union invaded Afganistan, the ECC's strong protest compared the invasion to the events in the Baltic States in 1940. On the occasion of the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980, the ECC's letters to the Canadian government stressed that the sailing regatta in Tallinn, Estonia, should not be allowed to take place on occupied soil. The ECC has also been active in supporting the cause of Estonian dissidents.

The Estonian Federation of Canada (Eesti Liit Kanadas)

Over the past 12 years, the Estonian Federation of Canada (EFC) has remained actively involved in the evolution of Estonian culture, politics and historical study. By 1977 the federation, with 27 affiliated organizations, began to organize educational seminars for its members at Trent University. The EFC also issues Sillas, a newsletter that contains information about federation activities as well as articles pertaining to contemporary Estonian problems. Under the EFC's sponsorship, in 1975 the Canadian Estonian History Commission published the first volume of The Estonians in Canada, a comprehensive history of Estonians across Canada. At that time the commission also began planning the second volume, which would extend coverage of Estonian history in Canada to 1983 and provide an English-language overview of both volumes.

The EFC has continued to publicize and work toward solving Estonian problems. Its representatives sit on the federal government's National Advisory Council on Multiculturalism, established in 1972. As well, the EFC has published informational pamphlets such as The Estonian Contribution to Canada to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Estonian independence, and Estonia: A Nation in the Crosswinds. And the EFC continues its tradition of enlivening Estonian cultural and political life with such events as its 1984 commemoration of the 1944 battles at Narva in eastern Estonia, organized in conjunction with the Toronto Estonian Veterans Association, and the 1981 ceremony to celebrate the memory of famed Estonian poet Marie Under.

Consulate of Estonia.

When Estonian Consul Johannes Markus died in 1969, Canadian Estonians were left without an official representative of the independent republic of Estonia. After consultation with Estonian Consul General Ernst Jaakson in New York and Canada's Department of External Affairs, Ilmar Heinsoo, former head of the Estonian Central Council in Canada, was installed as honorary Estonian consul in 1971. The honorary consul, who enjoys the support of all Estonians in Canada, helps Estonians in their dealings with the courts and governments, provides information about present-day conditions in occupied Estonia to various government departments and agencies, and appears in an official capacity at many Estonian functions.

Estonian National Council (Eesti Rahvuslaste Kogu)

The Estonian National Council, established on January 28, 1965, is a political organization dedicated to expanding and enlivening Estonian political thought. The council has had 103 members in 20 years, and has published a newsletter The Nationalist (Rahvuslane), four times a year. It also initiates political activities and supports youth groups.

Estonian War Veterans Associations (Võitlejate ühingud)

Canada's Estonian veterans associations have been active in collecting donations for Estonian war invalids. As well, they have continued to be instrumental in propagating the re-establishment of the independent republic of Estonia. They have done so through protests, memoranda, informational publications and press releases.

As of 1983, Estonian veterans associations still existed in Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. The Montreal Estonian Veterans Association, established in 1952, continues to be a vital part of Estonian activities in Montreal. Since its establishment it has raised more than $23,000 for the support of Estonian war invalids. The Toronto Estonian Veterans Association, established in 1952, is the largest such organization in Canada. As of 1983 it had 150 members and takes part in all important commemorative ceremonies. Its 30th anniversary in January 1983 was celebrated with a ceremonial meeting and festival attended by representatives of other Estonian organizations, as well as the representatives of Latvian and Lithuanian veterans associations. The Ottawa Estonian Veterans Association was established in 1953, and continues to propagate the interests of Estonians. The Hamilton Veterans Association, which grew out of the now-defunct Southern Ontario Veterans Association, was founded in 1966. It is responsible for maintaining public order during the annual summer festival at Seedrioru and among its accomplishments is its intensive fund-raising on behalf of Estonian war invalids, which by 1983 had brought in more than $25,000.

All Estonian veterans associations are represented by the Estonian War Veterans League in Canada, which was established in1954. The League coordinates the activities of the associations. The federation continues to be active in countering Soviet misinformation and was also instrumental in organizing the veterans congress and festival during the 1984 Estonian World Festival in Toronto.

The Baltic Federation (Balti Liit)

The Baltic Federation represents Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians. Its members discuss issues related to the Baltic people and make representations to the Canadian government, especially with regard to human rights violations in the U.S.S.R. The federation also organizes the annual Baltic Evening at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa and the annual June 14 religious services to commemorate the mass deportations of Baltic peoples by the Soviet Union during World War II.

The European Enslaved Peoples' Assembly

The assembly is comprised of Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Ukrainian, Czechoslovakian and Hungarian political representatives. It organizes anti-Soviet demonstrations and issues memoranda concerning human rights violations in the Soviet Union.

Baltic Women's Council of Canada

The Baltic Women's Council of Canada was founded in 1952 after members of the Baltic Peoples Women's Council, established in Germany in 1947 to foster cooperation between Baltic organizations, emigrated to Canada. Since then, the council's work has been diverse. Among other things, its members have given lectures on the Baltic nations' culture at the University of Toronto. As well, the council has sent memoranda to members of Parliament on such occasions as the Helsinki Conference on Human Rights, and in 1980 circulated a petition urging Canadian athletes to boycott the Moscow Olympic Games on the grounds that the sailing regatta, held in Tallinn, Estonia, took place in an occupied country. On March 21, 1982, the council celebrated its 30th anniversary. The ceremony was attended by more than 400 people, who were addressed by Conservative Member of Parliament Flora MacDonald.

Economic Achievements

(Chapter 11, pp. 124-145)

The Estonians in the Canadian Economy

The Estonians who arrived in Canada during the postwar years initially worked as physical laborers in such industries as agriculture, forestry and mining to satisfy immigration work contracts. Since then, though, many of them have established their own businesses and thereby contributed to the economic growth of-Cahada.

Toronto, with at least 50 percent of Estonian-owned businesses in Canada, is not only the cultural centre for Canadian Estonians but also the economic centre. The six largest Estonian-owned manufacturers in the city employ 1,500 people and produce more than $120 million worth of goods annually; the largest, Sceptre Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a plastics factory, employs 530 people and its total production is about $60 million annually. Other large businesses are Artistic Woodwork, which manufactures picture frames, and Raywal Limited, makers of kitchen cabinets. Of 25 known Estonian manufacturers, 15 were in Toronto, three in Vancouver, two in Hamilton, two in Niagara Falls, and one in Thunder Bay, Halifax and Winnipeg respectively.

Of the 70 Estonian-owned retail and service businesses in Canada, 34 are in Toronto, nine in Vancouver, eight in Hamilton and 19 in other Canadian centres. They include food shops such as Poko's and H. Rooneem Bakery in Toronto, computer dealers, auto and auto parts dealers, building materials outlets, insurance agents and hotels and resorts. As well, more than 400 of 695 Estonian professionals are also based in Toronto. Among them are 32 lawyers, 30 architects, 88 doctors, 35 dentists, 350 engineers, 100 teachers and 60 members of university faculties.

In general terms, Estonians in Canada are in a sound economic position. Canadian government statistics indicate that there are some 5,300 Estonian households in Canada; from information gathered from Estonian associations across the country, Estonians own 3,717 single-family dwellings and 518 apartment units, with a total value of approximately $400 million. It is estimated that the annual expenditures of Canadian Estonians are in the vicinity of $185 million. The net worth of Estonians is not available, but when taking into account such investments as factories, commercial enterprises, real estate and savings accounts, the total should exceed $1 billion. On that basis, it is estimated that the average worth of each Estonian in Canada is about $55,000.

Estonian (Toronto) Credit Union

The Estonian (Toronto) Credit Union's annual business has risen steadily during the past 12 years from $11.597 million in 1974 to $26.6 million in 1984. This growth indicates its trusted position in Estonian society and has been reflected in the credit union's expansion in many fields. During the 1976 construction of the Toronto Estonian House extension, the credit union enlarged its offices to twice their previous size. In 1980 it also modernized its computing system, switching over to the Ontario Credit Union Federation CUDATA system. And the credit union has introduced services available at Caanda's larger banks, such as American Express travellers' cheque, daily interest savings accounts and variable rate mortgages. As well, the credit union has been instrumental in arranging funding for Estonian projects, notably the construction of the Estonian Home Housing Coop and the Ehatare rest home. Its decision to send a credit union employee to the Estonian rest home Ehatare once a week to administer to pensioners' banking needs further reflects the credit union's mandate to serve Estonians to the best of its abilities. Indeed, the 400 people who helped celebrate the credit union's 30th anniversary at a ceremony in January 1984 only underscored the loyalty that Estonians have toward their financial institution.

Since 1972, a number of longtime credit union personnel have either retired or passed away. The 1976 death of credit union chairman and co-founder Artur Ekbaum, who had been instrumental in building the institution's reputation, was an unexpected blow. Since then successive chairmen - Voldemar Ernesaks, J. Künnapuu and Villem Noolandi - have continued his work. As older employees have retired they have often been succeeded by such members of the younger generation as Kaarin Ahermäe, who replaced Ottomar Kess when the latter retired from his position as the credit union's loan officer.

The Estonian Home Housing Co-op (Eesti Kodu)

The Estonian Home Housing Co-op was born as a result of the Estonian Relief Committee in Canada's 1967 decision to buy 4.4 acres of land on Old Kingston Road in West Hill, Ont. The co-op's five buildings, completed in 1977 and administered by Estonian Home Inc., are situated on beautifully landscaped grounds and contain 134 apartments. Among the amenities available to residents are two saunas and fitness rooms. But more than that, the co-op offers its residents an all-inclusive social and cultural life. As well as being able to celebrate Estonian functions among their countrymen, residents can also choose from a variety of interest groups including art, ceramics, music, gymnastics and handicrafts seminars coordinated by the Estonian Home Cultural Society. The co-op has become a popular and inseparable part of Estonian society in Toronto, as evidenced by the fact that in 1982 it had a 40-family waiting list.

The National Estonian Foundation of Canada

The National Estonian Foundation of Canada, an organization conceived by the Estonian Central Council in Canada to solicit funds and administer them to Estonian organizations and projects, was founded in 1974. The foundation gathers funds through such sources as donations and last will and testaments. One important source of income is Haavaniit's Springmount Nurseries & Landscaping in Owen Sound, Ont., donated to the foundation by former owner Aleksander Haavaniit in 1978. By the end of 1984 the foundation had received about $140,000 from the business.

As of March 11, 1985, the foundation's total assets had grown to more than $1 million, and it had distributed some $295,000 to such Estonian organizations as churches, boy scouts and girl guides, supplementary schools and children's summer camps. Special consideration is given to organizations and projects that foster the activities of Estonian youth.

Gardening and Agriculture

(Chapter 12, pp. 146-152)

Estonians generally take pride in their homes, and their love of gardening is reflected in their tastefully landscaped properties. The Estonian Garden Club of Toronto, established in 1970, disseminates information and organizes demonstrations, film shows and lectures, often by experts. Of Estonian gardening businesses, Aleksander Haavaniit's 50-acre Springmount Nursery in Owen Sound, Ont, is one of the better known. Haavaniit, who has presented scholarships to Estonian landscaping students, presented the nursery to the Estonian Foundation in Canada in 1978 with the stipulation that a qualified Estonian be found to manage the business. Of other Estonians involved in the gardening business, Eino and Õie Kuris own the 27-acre Willow Farm in Baldwin, Ont., Erik and Lia Hess are the proprietors of Timberline Nurseries and Landscaping Ltd. in Barrie, Ont., and Elmar Tammisto runs a landscaping business in Toronto. The best-known Estonian landscape architect is Andres Kalm, who did the landscaping for both the Estonian Home and the Ehatare rest home in Toronto.

Across Canada, the number of full-time farms has been steadily declining, a trend reflected in the number of Estonian-owned farms. Of those Estonians who still make a living through agriculture, the average age has become older due to the unwillingness of younger Estonians to take up agriculture because of its unprofitablity. Some 25 percent of Estonian farmers are now between 61 and 70, and 42 percent older than 71. Indeed, the increasing number of Estonian retirement farms reflects the general aging trend.

Estonian Pensioners in Canada

(Chapter 13, pp. 153-158)

As that generation of Estonians who emigrated to Canada after the war and established homes and families began to reach retirement age, the need for Estonian pensioners associations and clubs became apparent. The federal government's New Horizons program, announced in 1972 and dedicated to providing funds to senior citizens' groups for various projects, facilitated the development of such organizations.

In fact, the first such organization, the Estonian Pensioners' Club of Toronto, was founded in 1970. Within a year, the club's initial membership of 38 had grown to 150. The club meets regularly in the Toronto Estonian House and arranges a variety of activities - among them choirs, exercise classes and social gatherings - for its 700 members. Elsewhere, the Vancouver Estonian Pensioners' Association was founded in 1973 and now has a membership of 170. It provides its members with activity groups, social gatherings and lectures. In Sault Ste. Marie, a pensioners' club was established in 1974 and now has about 14 members who participate in such activities as excursions. The Montreal Estonian Pensioners' Club was established in 1978, and organizes lectures and such activity groups as French-language instruction. In Hamilton, the local pensioners' club was founded in 1979, and by the end of 1983 had about 70 members. Club members hold weekly meetings and take part in activity groups.

Estonian Supplementary Schools in Canada

(Chapter 14, pp. 159-169)

In those Canadian centres where Estonian supplementary schools were established during the post-World War II era, Estonian language instruction has now existed for some 35 years. Since the early 1970s, however, the task of providing Estonian children with language, history and cultural lessons has been made more difficult by the fact that many students now enter supplementary schools with a more limited knowledge of Estonian. This is partly a result of such factors as mixed marriages, as well as the lack of fluency on the part of the younger generation of Estonians who were raised in Canada and have since become parents. The problem has underscored the necessity for special remedial language classes - as now exist in Toronto - for children whose knowledge of Estonian is limited or nonexistent.

Although Estonian supplementary-school enrolment has dropped since 1972, in 1984 students in Estonian schools numbered 375, of which 320 were in Toronto. Ontario also boasts Estonian supplementary schools in Hamilton, London and Sudbury. Elsewhere, schools still operate in Vancouver and Montreal. With the exception of Montreal, where classes are held every two weeks, all schools provide instruction on a weekly basis.

Since 1972, certain improvements have occurred within Estonian supplementary schools. Previously, these schools catered to the needs of children aged 3 to 16. In 1982, though, a 17-to 18-year-ofd age group - the equivalent of most Canadian schools' senior high school - was established in Toronto to provide more in-depth instruction to older students. As well, the job of maintaining Estonian-language instruction has been facilitated by the fact that some local Canadian school boards have enacted provincial education ministry language heritage programs, under which Estonian schools qualify for funding if class sizes are equal to those in average Canadian schools. Estonian schools nationwide are also eligible for grants under the federal government's 1977 cultural enrichment program. Although these new sources of funding have greatly increased the morale of Estonian pedagogues, Estonian schools still operate at a disadvantage, and make up in idealism what they lack in monetary terms.

The most comprehensive Estonian schooling is available in Toronto, where the Estonian Association of Toronto offers supplementary-school instruction at the kindergarten, public-school, high-school and senior or high-school levels. The kindergarten, which in 1984-85 had 99 students and 13 graduates, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1984 and provides instruction in five age groups, as well as a separate class for children with no knowledge of Estonian. In 1983-84, the supplementary public school had 10 teachers, 127 students and 27 graduates, and the supplementary high school had seven teachers, 53 students and 18 graduates. The senior high-school level had 35 students and 19 graduates. Special language classes are also offered.

Boy Scouts and Girl Guides

(Chapter 15, pp. 170-190)

During recent years the number of Estonian boy scouts and girl guides has declined. In 1972 there were 332 girl guides and leaders, and 587 boy scouts and leaders. The 1984 figures were 231 and 386. In spite of that, the past 12 years have been active ones for the scouting movement. The tradition of holding annual organizational and instructional conferences has continued. The Estonian Guides Assembly in Canada held its first fund-raising evening "Talihari" in 1972, which has since become an annual tradition. In 1976, the Estonian House renovations resulted in the addition of a fourth floor, including a room that has subsequently been used mostly by boy scouts and girl guides. 1976 also witnessed the establishment of the Associated International Scout and Guide Organizations, a six-nationality Canadian group that included the heads of the Estonian scout and guide movement. The organization's mandate is to organize multicultural scouting functions in Canada. The Estonian boy scout and girl guide federations also declared 1977 to be Youth Year, with the aim of further popularizing girl guide and boy scout activities within Estonian society, developing more cooperation with other organizations, and attracting those young people who had become distanced from Estonian society. The English version of the history of the Estonian girl guide and boy scout movement was published in 1980 in Toronto by the Estonian Boy Scout Federation and in the following year the land available for scouting activities at Kotkajärve was expanded when the Toronto Estonian Scouting Sponsors Association, which owns and administers the property, acquired an additional 20 acres of lakefront land. That year also witnessed the last performance of the popular Estonian girl guide choir, which had been conducted during its 10-year history by Olaf Kopvillem, Guido Laikve and Gunnar Mitt. Throughout the past 12 years, Estonian boy scouts and girl guides have continued to organize regular athletic competitions and mount exhibitions detailing their activities at such events as the Tallinn Festival in the Toronto Estonian House.

The Estonian scouting movement has also been active in organizing and attending jamborees, whether Estonian, multicultural or international. In 1974 Estonian boy scouts and girl guides took part in the multicultural jamboree Unity '74 in Lakewood, New Jersey. In 1975, Canadian Estonian scouts and guides participated in three jamborees: the Metsakodu Estonian World Jamboree in Sweden, the International Boy Scout Jamboree Nord-jamb '75 in Norway, and the Kodumetsa camp at Kotkajärve for those who did not travel outside of the country. In 1977, the Kotkajärve II North American Estonian Jamboree was held at Kotkajärve, with 1,000 people attending the final campfire. As well, Estonians were among the six nationalities who took part in the multicultural jamboree Harmony '77, which was held at Kotkajärve. In 1978, the Koguja II Estonian World Jamboree in Lakewood, New Jersey, was attended by more than 700 scouts and guides from around the world, including 182 from Canada. In 1980, the Estonian World Jamboree Vikerkaare took place in Sweden just prior to the opening of ESTO '80 in Stockholm, and was attended by 108 scouts and guides from Canada. 1982 witnessed the Hobejärve Canadian-Estonian scout and guide camp at Kotkajärve, attended,by 350 scouts and guides. In 1983, the international world jamboree in Alberta was attended by a 21-strong delegation of Estonian scouts. And 1984 was the year of the Estonian World Jamboree Eesti Lipp (Estonian Flag), intended to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Estonian flag. Almost 600 scouts and guides from around the world took part in the jamboree, which was held just prior to ESTO '84 in Toronto.

Toronto Estonian Scouting Sponsors Association

The Toronto Estonian Scouting Sponsors Association (TESSA), established in 1951, is an organization dedicated to the financial and moral support of the Estonian scouting movement. The results of its work can be seen in the funds and labor that it has invested in Kotkajärve, a modern camping and activity centre that was carved out of a wilderness area around a Muskoka lake near Huntsville after the land was purchased by TESSA in 1953. Since then, the site has been in constant use, not only for boy scout and girl guide camps but also for folk-dancing courses and the annual Forest University (Metsaülikool). Between 1973 and 1984, total attendance at all Kotkajärve activities was 6,552.

Most of the manual labor necessary for upkeep has been provided free by scouts, guides and their friends and supporters and totals thousands of man-hours. Some individuals have built cottages on private lots at Kotkajärve and their annual maintenance fees pay the site's municipal taxes. The area has been able to support huge international Estonian scout and guide camps and features permanent buildings as well as camping areas. During TESSA's history some 16,200 people have participated in activities at the site. In 1982, a longtime goal was brought to fruition when all of the land surrounding the lake was bought by TESSA.

Estonian Children's Summer Camps

(Chapter 16, pp. 191-195)

Although during the 1950s and 1960s Estonian children's summer camps existed in many places only two now remain: Jõekääru near Udora, Ont. administered by the Toronto Estonian Women's Association and Seedriorun near Elora, Ont. administered by representatives of the Estonian associations of Hamilton, Kitchener, London and St. Catharines. The number of children annually enrolled at both camps has decreased: Jõekääru from 237 in 1974 to 130 in 1984; Seedrioru from 104 in 1974 to 36 in 1984. Still, large-scale repairs were made to Jõekääru's athletic facilities in 1983 and that summer the camp celebrated its 30th anniversary with a ceremonial assembly. The fact that children's knowledge of Estonian is decreasing is a primary concern at both locations as are steadily rising costs. Seedrioru's serious financial deficit in 1981 was overcome with a grant from the Ontario government.

The Estonian Relief Committee in Canada

(Chapter 17, pp. 196-207)

During its 32-year history, the Estonian Relief Committee in Canada (ERC) has distributed some $220,000 in funds to Estonian war invalids, Estonian schools, boy scouts and girl guides and children's summer camps. During that time some 90 people have served on the committee. Undoubtedly though, the ERC's biggest accomplishment has been, the completion of the Estonian Home Co-op in 1977 and the Ehatare rest home in 1981, both designed by Toronto architect Guido Laikve.

The ERC had already made the care and housing of the rapidly increasing number of old and infirm Estonians one of its most important priorities by 1959, when the idea to construct an Estonian housing complex first originated. After a lengthy search for suitable property the ERC acquired a 4.4-acre property on Old Kingston Road in Scarborough, Ontario for $54,000, which included a $27,000 loan from the Estonian Credit Union and $21,000 raised from 30 private sources. In 1973, it was decided to split the project into two parts, one a housing co-op for elderly Estonians and the other a rest home. In 1975-76, when plans for the project were nearing completion, the Estonian Credit Union helped the ERC get a loan of $3.83 million. Although actual construction did not begin until 1976, the popularity of the project among Toronto Estonians had grown steadily during the planning stages. By the end of March 1974 there were already 162 prospective buyers on file; by October 1976 enough of the building had been constructed to allow the ERC to hold the cornerstone laying ceremony. As of July 1977, 22 families had moved in. By 1978, thanks largely to a lively campaign to sell Estonian Home shares, the building was paid for and the ERC passed over the administration of the project to the permanent Estonian Home management committee.

As the construction of the Estonian Home was nearing completion, the ERC began to plan the project's next phase: the Estonian rest home Ehatare. In 1978 a planning committee was established and a memorandum of intent was delivered to the Ontario government. A public information campaign organized through Estonian newspapers led to the immediate registration of 67 individuals interested in living in the building. The next major hurdle was to arrange funding for the project. Because the Ontario government appeared unwilling to commit any funds, the ERC began to investigate the possibility of receiving funding through the federal government's Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation. In 1979 an application for a $2.75-million loan was made to the CMHC, which in turn guaranteed the loan from the Morguard Trust Co. Construction began in 1980 and the project was completed in 1981. By the end of 1982 there were 94 people living in the three-storey, 88-room building.

Estonian Academic Organizations

(Chapter 18, pp. 208-212)

It is estimated that 50 percent of all Estonian students in Canadian universities have joined Estonian fraternities and sororities. As a result, the total membership of these organizations has continued to increase, and by the beginning of the 1970s stood at 1,380. Of those, less than half -45 percent - had been members of their respective organizations in the Republic of Estonia. Since then, the number of older members has decreased still more, and now stands at less than 25 percent.

In recent years many Estonian student fraternities and sororities have celebrated important anniversaries, among them the 110th anniversary of the Estonian Student Association, the oldest Estonian student organization. All organizations continue to have monthly meetings that often feature reports on various subjects prepared by members. In Toronto, Tartu College is the home of all academic organizations except Rotalia, which owns its own quarters. Many fraternities and sororities have published papers dealing with either their own history or with topics relevant to Estonians.

Music

(Chapter 20, pp. 237-251)

Estonian choral music in Canada

Many Estonian choirs - especially in smaller centres - have in recent years been forced to disband. Even so, some 20 choirs are still in existence, a fact that attests to the importance of choral music in the Estonian experience. Of these, the oldest is the Toronto Estonian Male Choir, established in 1950 and now under the direction of C. Kipper. Between 1970 and 1983, the choir gave some 40 concerts. The Toronto Estonian Mixed Choir has since 1974 been directed by Uno Kook. It celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1981 and has taken part in all large functions in North America.

1979 marked the first performance of the mixed choir Estonia, conducted by composer Roman Toi. The choir includes singers of all ages, and during its short existence has established a reputation for excellence. Other choirs include the Hamilton Estonian Society Mixed Choir, conducted by Olaf Kopvillem and Erik Purje, the Vancouver Estonian Mixed Choir, the Thunder Bay Esonian Society Mixed Choir and the youth choir Lootus (Hope) in Toronto. The rebirth of the Montreal Estonian Mixed Choir, with some 30 singers under the direction of Karl Raudsepp, occurred in 1976. Of religious choirs, the Toronto St. Peter's congregation's Cantate Domino continues to thrive under the direction of Roman Toi, as does the Toronto Estonian Baptist Mixed Choir, since 1981 conducted by Charles Kipper.

Indeed, the number of Estonian choirs and the advent of larger functions such as the Estonian World Festivals, with their attendant choral festivals, underscored the need for a coordinating organization. This resulted in the creation in 1973 of the Estonian Singers Federation in North America, based in Toronto. Its mandate is to coordinate Estonian choirs and orchestras in North America, and to popularize and propagate Estonian choral music. The choral festival at the Estonian World Festival in Toronto in 1984 was organized by the federation.

Estonian orchestras in Canada

Toronto's Estonia Orchestra, conducted since its inception in 1957 by Uno Kook, continues to be the largest Estonian Orchestra in North America. It has performed at its own concerts and with the Toronto Estonian Mixed Choir and the Toronto Estonian Male Choir. Of smaller orchestras, Toronto's St. Peter's congregation's church orchestra performs mainly at church services. As well, 1980 marked the founding of the 24-member Estonian Folk Instruments Orchestra by O. Haamer.

Estonian musicians and music teachers

During the past 12 years many young Estonian musicians have finished their studies and now enrich the field of Estonian music. Toronto's Kristi Allik, who received her doctorate in music from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 1979, has based some of her compositions on Estonian themes. Tiiu Haamer of Toronto, who received her doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1981, has become known as a soloist and accompanist. Tiina Kiik is an outstanding classical accordeonist. Charles Kipper, who works as a high-school music teacher, is a respected Estonian choir conductor and accompanist. Of singers, baritone Avo Kittask has achieved recognition with the Canadian Opera Company, while bass-baritone Ingemar Korjus, originally from Sweden, is a renowned performer as well as a professor of singing at the University of Ottawa. Other younger musicians of note include saxophonist Enn Kuuskne, pianists Linda Küttis, Tiina Mitt-Kreem and Peeter Tammearu, pianist and CBC Radio classical music producer Helen Randalow-Montagna, pianist and teacher Inga Tammsalu-Toi, pianist and conductor Ingrid Tärk, organist and conductor Karl Raudsepp Jr., composer Elma Miller, vocalists Liina Purje and Anna Tamm-Relyea, and keyboardist and teacher Ülo Valdma.

Of those slightly older musicians who received their education in Canada, Asta Ballstadt is a renowned accompanist and conductor, as is Inga Pia Korjus. Violinist Jaak Liivoja now performs with the baroque orchestra Tafelmusik. Many veteran Estonian musicians continue to be active. Composer Lembit Avesson is a high-school music teacher and served for 20 years as an organist for various Toronto congregations. Of Tallinn Conservatory graduates, vocalist Helmi Betlem is known as a teacher, performer and organizer of many musical gatherings, while Dagmar Kokker is a noted pianist and teacher. Udo Kasemets, whose studies at the Tallinn Conservatory were interrupted by the war, has composed at least 77 works, and is also the founder of several Estonian choirs and a former music critic at the The Toronto Star. Metzosoprano Irene Loosberg began her music studies in Stockholm, and is now a respected teacher. The Toronto Baptist congregation's Pastor Kaljo Raid is a renowned musician and composer of a large body of work that includes music for chamber orchestras, symphonic orchestras and choirs. Toronto's Dr. Roman Toi, who began his studies at the Tallinn Conservatory, is a tireless conductor, teacher and accompanist and has composed more than 80 works between 1971 and 1984. In 1977, he received his doctorate in music, and in recent years has concentrated on composing cantatas and church music. Dr. Toi has been instrumental in the organization of many musical events.

Art

(Chapter 21, pp. 252-257)

In 1980, there were some 70 Estonian creative artists in Canada, compared to about 60 and 50 in the U.S.A. and Sweden respectively. Artists of all generations have often turned to such related fields as graphic arts, the young because it is economically more satisfying, the old because they lacked thew resources and contacts upon their arrival in Canada to support themselves as full-time creative artists. Although the favored medium is painting, other forms such as graphic art and, on a smaller scale, sculpture, are also highly regarded.

Estonian artists have always experienced difficulties in displaying their works to the public. One-person shows, still the favored method of presentation, are too expensive and risky, and the lack of a proper Estonian display gallery necessitates the mounting of exhibits in alternative places such as the Toronto Estonian House, Tartu Institute, or various church halls. Because the Estonian artistic community is so small, central coordinating organizations have always been necessary to help artists sustain an ethnic artistic identity. The oldest such organization in Canada is the Estonian Artists Coalition in Toronto, founded in 1956 to present Estonian art primarily to Estonians. During the past 12 years, 26 artists have been registered with the coalition. The Estonian Arts Council in Canada, established in Toronto in 1974 by Stella Kerson, supports Estonian artistic endeavors and directs its energies toward achieving a higher profile for Estonian art within Canadian society. Estonian artists in Montreal and Vancouver have also attempted to popularize Estonian art by mounting exhibitions for the Canadian as well as Estonian public.

Estonians have often been honored by the Canadian artistic community. Since 1961, five artists - Oscar Daniel de Lall, V. Hubel, O. Timmas, R. Tulving and E. Kõks - have been accepted as members of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Estonians have also been involved since its . inception in 1952 with the Colour and Form Society, an international organization of professional artists. A. Lee, O. Timmas and R. Tulving have served as the society's presidents.

Higher Education

(Chapter 22, pp. 258-275)

Estonians with postsecondary education

According to the 1981 census, 28 percent of Estonians in Canada had received some higher education, as compared to 14 percent of Canadians in general. In the 1950s and even 1960s, an overwhelming majority of educated Estonians had specialized in such technical fields as engineering. This was not only due to Canada's demand at the time for such specialists, but also because those whose background was in the Estonian humanities could not apply such knowledge to Canadian circumstances. By the 1960s, though, limited numbers of Estonians were turning to other specialties such as economics, sociology and psychology, although this did little to alter the overall balance. Only in the 1970s, when a younger generation of Estonians turned to universities, did the number of people choosing an education in such disciplines as the humanities change radically. Estonians have since branched out into almost all educational fields. By 1984, for example, there were more than 80 Estonian doctors in Canada, more than 30 lawyers and some 40 architects. As well, more than 50 Estonian teach at institutions of higher learning in Canada.

Tartu College

Tartu College in Toronto is an 18-storey nonprofit student residence that is also the Estonian academic centre in Toronto. The building is managed and financed by 18 Estonian student fraternities, sororities and associations, and was first conceived of as early as 1956 when Estonian student organizations had discussed the possibility of buying their own quarters. But it was not until 1966 that three fraternities-Vironia, Estica and Sakala-decided to either buy or construct a building in the vicinity of he Universiy of Toronto. The help of other organizations was solicited, and by late 1968 construction had begun. The cornerstone was laid in June 1969, at which time four floors of the building had already been constructed. By the summer of 1970 the building had been completed at a total cost of $3.8 million and all rooms had been rented out to students, 87 percent of whom attended the University of Toronto. In 1971 the building's Estonian architect Elmar Tampold and partners received a federal government award for the building's design.

The bottom floor of Tartu College, which houses nine rooms shared by the member academic organizations, a kitchen and a large hall, is administered by the Academic Home, an autonomous suborganization. To fulfil Tartu College's academic, social and economic responsibilities, the directors of the college established Tartu Institute in 1971. The institute's primary mandate is to propagate Estonian studies and learning. To that end, the 21-member board of direcors has organized symposiums as well as at least 10 lectures a year on diverse subjects of interest to Estonians, offered such courses as Estonian language instruction, and granted scholarships. The institute also owns a constantly expanding" library that currently has some 4,000 volumes.

During the initial years of its existence Tartu College made only a nominal profit. But largely because of the fact that the building's construction loan interest rate is set at seven percent, Tartu College has since 1977 been operating at a profit that by 1983 had reached $115,696. For that reason the 17-member board of directors of the college was able to financially guarantee the establishment of a chair of Estonian studies at the University of Toronto, a proposal that was passed by the university in 1984.

The Graduate Research Chair of Estonian Studies at the University of Toronto

Despite the achievements of Estonians in Canada in the fields of culture, gymnastics, education and business, the society is weakening primarily because the younger generation, due to a variety of factors such as mixed marriages, is steadily being drawn away from Estonian activities. For that reason, the graduate research chair for Estonian studies at the University of Toronto is necessary not only as a means of preserving heritage and language, but also of fostering interest in Estonian studies and serving as a focal point for young Estonian academics.

The proposal to establish an Estonian chair, backed by the administration of Tartu College, was approved in principle in 1983 by then-president of the university Dr. David Stangway, and passed by the university's board of governors in 1984. Since then, the Estonian chair committee has concentrated on clearly defining its goals, raising funds, informally meeting with some 20 professorial candidates and arranging for accredited courses. The committee hopes that by fall 1986 a visiting professor will already be lecturing.

Society for Advancement of Estonian Studies in Canada

Founded in Vancouver in 1980, the society's aims are to sponsor Estonian academic and cultural events, inform Canadians about and interest Canadian students in Estonian culture, support the establishment of courses dealing with Estonian studies in Canadian schools, and establish a chair for Estonian studies at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Since 1983, some 12 to 20 students annually have registered in the Estonian studies course organized by the society at Simon Fraser.

Religion

(Chapter 19, pp. 213-236)

The Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

In 1958, when Pastor Karl Raudsepp of Montreal was named acting dean of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, he was given the task of organizing the 13 Estonian Lutheran congregations in this country into one united Lutheran Estonian church. This was not accomplished until the spring of 1973, when at a synod attended by Estonian Archbishop K. Veem, K. Raudsepp was elected dean of the church. Since then, three deans have been elected during the annual synods: H. Piir of Vancouver in 1976, O. Puhm of Toronto in 1977 and A. Taul of Toronto in 1982. At the 1984 synod the ordination of women ministers was discussed, and sanctioned at a conference of Estonian theologians in July 1984. As a result, Olvi Pint was admitted to the ministry on July 15, 1984.

With the election of Dean Raudsepp to the post of bishop in 1976, the Estonian Lutheran Church in North America was officially recognized by the 12 Lutheran churches on this continent. Since then, Bishop Raudsepp has represented Estonian Lutherans at many larger conferences, including one in Houston, Texas, in 1979. Both the bishop and the dean of the Estonian church in Canada have participated in the work of the Estonian Central Council in Canada.

Another important development in the life of the Estonian church in Canada was the creation of the Theological Institute in Toronto in 1978. During the initial postwar years of Estonian immigration to Canada the need for new ministers was not evident because of the large number of Estonian pastors who had emigrated to the free world. However, between 1950 and 1980 33 Estonian pastors outside of Estonia died, while in the same period only 14 were admitted to the ministry. In 1976, Bishop Raudsepp instituted plans to establish an educational facility for the training of new Estonian ministers, an idea that had been discussed as early as 1972. Courses at the new Theological Institute began in the summer of 1978 with 19 students attending. Since then, seven have been admitted to the ministry, three of them women.

Lutheran congregations

There are 13 Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregations in Canada. In Hamilton, the First Estonian Evangelical Lutheran congregation has experienced consistent growth, and in 1983 numbered 546 people. Although the congregation, which marked its 30th anniversary in 1981, suffered a loss when its longtime pastor, A. Kivisikk, died in 1976, his work has since been carried on by Pastor T. Nõmmik. London's St. Paul's congregation has declined in recent years, and numbered only 57 people at the end of 1983. The congregation is served by Pastor E. Lootsma. Montreal's St. John's church is used by many Estonian organizations. In 1976 Dean K. Raudsepp who had served the congregation for 27 years, retired to become bishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was succeeded by Pastor H. Laaneots from England. In 1983 the congregation numbered 497 people. Ottawa's St. Paul's congregation had 47 members in 1983. Since 1952, the congregation has been served by Pastor O. Gnadenteich, who has also handled the spiritual needs of the St. Catharines' St. Paul's congregation for 26 years. That congregation celebrated its 35th anniversary in 1983. Sault Ste. Marie's Estonian Lutheran congregation is now served by Pastor A. Roost, who also administers to Sudbury's Lutheran congregation. The Thunder Bay Estonian Lutheran congregation is served by Pastor O. Pint. In Vancouver, St. Peter's Lutheran congregation has existed for more than 30 years, and is now served by Pastor T. Vaga. It numbered 594e people in 1983.

There are four Estonian Lutheran congregations in Toronto. Of these, Toronto's St. Peter's congregation, with 3,074 members in 1983, is the largest Estonian congregation in Canada. During its 35-year history 1,712 children have been baptized at the church, 1,316 couples have been married, and 1,863 young people have been confirmed. During that time the church has held regular Sunday school classes and Bible studies classes. Its Cantate Domino choir, now conducted by Dr. Roman Toi, has performed during church services as well as at outside concerts. Church rooms are also used regularly by such organizations as the Estonian boy scouts and girl guides. In 1982 Pastor O. Puhm, who had served the congregation for 33 years, retired and was replaced by Pastor A. Taul. The church has also held English-language services for more than 25 years.

Toronto's St. Andrew's congregation lost its Pastor O. Pello, who passed away in 1971. He was replaced by Pastor A. Taul, who left in 1982 to assume his new duties as pastor of St. Peter's. Since then, St. Andrew's congregation has been served by U. Petersoo. In 1978 the congregation celebrated the 100th anniversary of the church building, jointly owned with a Latvian Lutheran congregation. The congregation has its own mixed choir and Sunday school, and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 1984. The congregation has grown consistently, and numbered 1,479 in 1983. Toronto's St. Jacob's congregation and the Kolmainu Lutheran congregation are substantially smaller. The former, with 188 members in 1983, is served by Pastor T. Nõmmik; the latter, with 300 members, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1982 and has been served for the past 20 years by Pastor O. Gnadenteich.

Estonian Orthodox congregations in Canada

There are three Estonian Orthodox congregations in Canada. The Toronto congregation celebrates mass every first and third Sunday in St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. The congregation is served by Dean E. Lepik, and has developed warm ties with all other Estonian congregations. It has its own choir, and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1982. Vancouver's Estonian Orthodox congregation is served by Priest E. Ruus, and has 84 members. Montreal's Orthodox Estonians have been able to hold only irregular religious services in recent years due to the illness and sebsequent death of its priest, M. Ervart. Since 1981 various ministers, including those from Toronto, have travelled to Montreal to conduct services.

Other Estonian churches

Six other Estonian congregations are active in Canada, four in Toronto and two in Vancouver. Of these, the Toronto Estonian Baptist congregation is the largest, numbering 345 people in 1981. The congregation owns its own church, and has become renowned for the excellence of its musical activities. In the summer of 1984 Estonian Baptists from around the world gathered in Toronto to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Estonian Baptist church. Toronto's Estonian Free congregation has been served for 22 years by E. Saraoja, and has its own church in Toronto. The 100-strong Toronto Estonian Evangelical congregation, established in 1969, is served by Dr. A. Laur, and maintains its own choir and Sunday school. Toronto is also home to an Estonian Seventh-Day Adventist congregation. In Vancouver, the Baptist-oriented Estonian United congregation numbered 94 people in 1983, and is served by Dr. A. Proos. Despite its small size, the congregation is very active and holds religious services in its own church, built in 1956. Vancouver's Estonian Evangelical congregation is noted for its radio broadcasts.

Theatre

(Chapter 23, pp. 276-288)

The many noted Estonian actors and directors who emigrated to Canada after World War II laid a solid foundation for Estonian theatre in Canada with the founding of the Estonian National Theatre in Canada in 1951. In 1971, though, that company was divided into two separate entities. One, under the direction of R. Andre, R. Lipp and R. Reinik, continued under the previous name; the other, under the direction of A. Söödor, became known simply as the Estonian National Theatre.

At ESTO '72 in Toronto the Estonian National Theatre in Canada staged two plays: E. Vilde's The Kratt (Pisuhänd) and A. Kallas's The Wolf's Bride (Hundimõrsja). The company followed those productions with V. Kudres's play My Island (Oma Saar), staged that fall. During the 1970s, though, a further split occurred in the ranks of the Estonian National Theatre in Canada and a new company, the Estonian Theatre in Canada under the direction of R. Andre, was established. The Estonian National Theatre in Canada, under the direction of R. Lipp and R. Reinik, remained active until 1981, and during that time staged nine plays and 12 repeat performances. Especially popular was the production of The Nephew from Batavia (Onupoeg Bataaviast) in 1975.

R. Andre's Estonian Theatre in Canada premiered in 1975 with a

production of A. Mälk's Star Eclipse (Tähevarjutus), which was performed twice in Stockholm, Sweden. Between 1975 and 1981 the company staged a total of nine plays and seven repeat performances, including R. Andre's adaptation of A. Gailit's Flaming Heart (Leegitsev Suda) at the Australian Estonian Festival during the winter of 1981-82. Between 1971 and 1975

Andre was also involved in Kultuurikolle, an organization dedicated largely to developing stage experience among younger Estonians.

Since 1972, the Estonian National Theatre has staged 11 plays, not including the traditional summer open-air performances at Seedrioru which became the company's responsibility after the division of the Estonian National Theatre in Canada. Among these productions was Paul Abraham's operetta The Flower of Hawaii (Havai Lill) in 1977 and an adaptation of A. H. Tammsaare's famous Estonian novel Life and Love (Elu ja Armastus) in 1978 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tammsaare's birth. Of the company's open-air performances at Seedrioru, H. Raudsepp's Mikumärdi was staged as part of ESTO '72. The following year, A. Kitzberg's The Werewolf (Libahunt) was performed for 2,000 people. Since then, the theatre has mounted five open-air productions. As part of the 1984 Estonian World Festival in Toronto the company gave three performances of P. Ardna's and I. Trupõlds operetta The Fishermaiden (Kalurineiu) at Ryerson Poly-technical Institute's theatre. The popular production was repeated at the same theatre in May 1985.

Literature

(Chapter 24, pp. 289-299)

Since 1973 Estonian literature in Canada has suffered a serious decline. Of the 36 writers still alive in that year, half have died and about 10 no longer write. As well, the closing of the Orto publishing house in 1973 as a result of the death of its owner, Andres Laur, left some 20 Canadian-Estonian writers without a publisher. In fact, it is doubtful that the publishing house could have survived due to such factors as decreasing sales and the ever-increasing number of books printed in Estonia and available here.

Still, three Estonian writers in Canada - Arved Viirlaid, Salme Ekbaum and Arvi Kork - continue to be published by the Estonian Writers' Cooperative in Sweden. During the past 12 years they have produced a total of seven novels. Nine poets - including Toronto's Urve Karuks - have released 13 collections of poetry. Most of them have been self-published, as have the majority of the 16 memoirs printed during the past dozen years. And in 1971 Maarjamaa, a new Estonian publishing house, was founded in Toronto. Dedicated to publishing pocket books, it has to date released 17 titles.

Many organizations such as the Friends of Estonian Literature continue to propagate and popularize Estonian literature. The Estonian Arts Centre, although its primary focus is on the performing and visual arts, has awarded literary prizes. The Tartu Institute organizes lectures on literary topics, and the Estonian Translation Foundation, founded in 1976, is dedicated to furthering the translation of Estonian literature into other languages.

The Year of the Estonian Book, 1975-1976, celebrated the 440th anniversary of the first published work in Estonian. Included in the celebrations was an exhibition of Estonian books held at Toronto's multicultural Caravan. The Year of the Estonian Language, 1981-1982, was intended to foster and increase the knowledge of Estonian, particularly among the young, and to encourage successors to the older generation of Estonian writers. The Estonian World Festival in Toronto in 1984 included many events, lectures and exhibitions dedicated to literature.

Journalism

(Chapter 25, pp. 300-302)

During the past 12 years few changes have occurred in the mainstream of Estonian journalism in Canada. The weekly Our Life (Meie Elu) and twice-weekly Free Estonian (Vaba Eestlane) continue to be the major newspapers. In 1980, the Estonian veterans' publication The Combatant (Võitleja) was moved from West Germany to Toronto. The short-lived periodical Varrak, established in 1971, was published erratically until its final issue in 1982. In 1976, members associated with the intellectual community began the publication of The Journal (Aja Kiri). It functions largely as a forum for younger Estonians. Other Estonian publications such as the quarterly Triinu and The Nationalist (Rahvuslane) continue publication in Toronto.

Sports

(Chapter 26, pp. 303-319)

Estonians in Canada participate in many sports, among them swimming, volleyball, track and field, diving, speedboat racing, sailing, basketball, marksmanship, tennis, cycling, golf, hockey and cross-country skiing. Many Estonians have performed well in North American athletics: Toomas Edur in hockey; Heino Lents and Laura Randmaa in tennis; Indrek Kongats in basketball; Tiit Romet and Kai Heinar in volleyball; Robert and Martin Vellend in skiing and cycling; and Cindy Õunpuu in swimming. Estonians also work as sports instructors and physical education teachers and professors in Canadian public schools, high schools and universities.

During the past 10 years Toronto has continued to be the major centre for Estonian athletic activities in Canada. Unfortunately, overall interest among Estonians toward sports has declined, a phenomenon that becomes especially noticeable when taking into account the popularity of sports during the intitial postwar years of Estonian immigration to Canada. Outside of Toronto organized athletics have practically ceased, with the exception of women's rhythmic gymnastics groups in such centres as Montreal and Vancouver. The activities of the Estonian Athletic Association Kalev in Toronto have declined drastically as a result of the aging Estonian population, a lack of interest among young Estonians in Canada and the fact that some academic organizations have begun their own involvement with sports. In 1981 Kalev's 30th anniversary passed almost unnoticed, despite the fact that the organization has given its name to such well-known Estonian athletic organizations as the Kalev-Estienne gymnasts and the Kalev Ski Club.

Swimming became especially popular in Toronto after the ESTO '72 competitions in which 100 young swimmers competed. During the peak of his career in the mid-1970s, Raimond Entmaa was the best Estonian swimmer in Canada. Later, Cindy Õunpuu, Valia Reinsalu, Maria Lember and Kia Puhm became prominent in this sport. In track and field, the masters games for athletes older than 30 have in recent years attracted the attention of Estonians. The Estonian Masters Club was founded in Toronto in 1981, and since then its members have won 378 medals - 213 gold - at various Canadian and international meets. Individually, J. Roos won gold medals in the five- and 20-km walk at the Masters Olympiad in 1983 in Puerto Rico. K. Trei is credited with 11 Canadian records and several victories at international competitions. Pan-American title holders are: K. Trei, J. Roos, V. Sadul, A. Truuvert, J. Lents, E. Kulmar, U. Limit and T. Vellend.

Estonians enjoyed particular success in volleyball during the 1950s. Although the sport later went into a period of decline, it is now being embraced by younger Estonians largely through the efforts of such veteran players as Tiit Romet and Kai Heinar. In basketball, Jaan Laaniste played for five years on the University of Waterloo's team and was named the school's top athlete in 1972. In 1977, Harry Liiv's Estonia team, composed of senior players, won Canadian championship in Winnipeg. Estonians have also enjoyed remarkable success in marksmanship; among the best in this sport are Arvi Tinits and Mati Gering. Cycling has been seriously pursued by two Ontario Estonians: Robert Vellend and his brother Martin, who was part of the Canadian youth team at the 1975 world championships in Switzerland. In winter sports, Estonians have made their greatest contribution in cross-country-skiing. Between 1979 and 1982 Robert Vellend achieved a total of 31 first-place finishes in Ontario competitions. Another outstanding cross-country skiier is Allan Mägi.

Of larger Estonian sporting events, the annual volleyball tournament organized in Toronto by academic organizations continues to be popular. Estonian athletes participate in boy scouts' track and field meets, the North American Baltic Games, the Estonian Games in Lakewood, New Jersey, the Estonian World Festival athletic competitions, and in the intermittent competitions organized by the Kalev athletic association. In 1980 and 1984 Estonian athletes also competed at the Free Olympics held in Etobicoke, Ontario.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

(Chapter 27, pp. 320-328)

In spite of the fact that Estonian rhythmic gymnastics groups in many smaller centres have disappeared in recent years, rhythmic gymnastics continues to be a popular institution, thanks largely to the influence of the Kalev-Estienne group in Toronto, which has succeeded in popularizing the sport throughout Canadian society. Although the Tiidus gymnasts, for years under the leadership of Helene Tiidus, ended their activities in 1980 after a 30-year history, many gymnasts from that group joined he new Ritmika group, formed in 1980. The 400-strong group now includes up to 80 Estonian female gymnasts and during its short history has performed extensively at such events as the West Coast Estonian Festival in San Francisco in 1983.

Still, even as the popularity and quality of rhythmic gymnastics has grown, the number of Estonians within those organizations has diminished, and non-Estonians are now often in the majority. In spite of that, rhythmic gymnastics groups continue to have a uniquely Estonian identity. Kalev Estienne celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1980. Under the leadership of Evelyn Koop, who formed the Canadian Modern Gymnastics Federation in 1970, the group has been steadily collecting accolades during the past 12 years. In 1979 its elite group visited China to introduce modern gymnastics to that country. In 1982 the group performed at the opening ceremonies of the British Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia. The courses for gymnastics instructors organized by Kalev-Estienne have been integral to the spread of the sport. To date, some 300 instructors have graduated from-the courses.

In other cities, Montreal's Rythmique Questo Rythmics under the leadership of Hilja Paul, with some 25 Estonians among its 80 members, has been instrumental in popularizing Estonian rhythmic gymnastics in Quebec. In Vancouver, the Vancouver Estonian Society women gymnasts continue their work, and have frequently performed at the West Coast Estonian Festivals. Between 1976 and 1978 Vancouver was also home to the Vancouver Estonian Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, whose members concentrated on modern gymnastics. An Estonian rhythmic gymnastics group still exists in Sault Ste. Marie, although in Sudbury the Estonian Gymnasts were forced to end their activities in 1978 due to a lack of members.

One of the biggest accomplishments of Estonian gymnastics was the participation of some 206 Estonian gymnasts from all Estonian gymnastics organizations at the opening ceremonies of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal. Other large performances have taken place at the Estonian World Festivals in Baltimore in 1976, Stockholm in 1980, and Esto'84 in Toronto, where 300 gymnasts were featured in Esto Vision, a mass performance at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Folk-dancing

(Chapter 28, pp. 329-335)

Although participation has generally diminished over the past 12 years, folk-dancing is still one of the most enduring and popular Estonian pastimes, especially among younger Estonians, and continues to be integral to the Estonian experience. As well, the Estonian World Festivals have injected new life into Estonian folk-dancing throughout North America. At the beginning of the 1980s, folk-dance ensembles still existed in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton and Vancouver.

Of these, the largest is Toronto's 35-year-old folk-dance ensemble Kungla. During its long history more than 1,000 young people have passed through its ranks, and in recent years membership has fluctuated between 125-175 dancers. The ensemble holds intensive weekly practices and organizes lectures and social gatherings for its members. As well as mounting their own annual performances in Toronto, Kungla dancers have performed extensively in other Canadian centres, in the United States and Europe, and have been the nucleus of folk-dancing at all ESTO Festivals. Kungla's May Ball, organized for 30 years, has become an annual tradition for Toronto Estonians.

In Montreal, folk-dance troupes are also a 35-year-old tradition. The 1960s witnessed an intensive period when the city boasted two ensembles: Kuppari and the folkloric ensemble Vikerlased, which received widespread recognition but ended its activities in 1971. Kuppari still survives, though; in 1972 15 pairs travelled to the Estonian World Festival in Toronto, while in 1976 12 pairs made the trip to ESTO'76 in Baltimore. As well as having performed extensively for non-Estonians, the group appears some three times a year in front of Estonian audiences.

Although Hamilton's Kandali ensemble has suffered a fairly drastic decline from its heyday in the early 1970s when it numbered about 50 dancers, it still continues its activities. The troupe, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1978, has taken part in all Estonian World Festivals and has performed extensively for Estonians and non-Estonians alike. In Vancouver, that city's ensemble, established in 1948, is now known as the Vancouver Estonian Folk-Dance Institute, and has played a crucial role in introducing Estonian culture to Canadians with some 10 performances a year for non-Estonians.

Architecture

(Chapter 29)

During the past 12 years, Estonians in Canada have made significant contributions as architectural designers and teachers. In Toronto, Kaljo Voore, Ivar Kalmar, Tõnu Altosaar and Toomas Tamm have been involved with major projects in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. Other successful Toronto architects are Endel Arro, Ernst Vähi, Harri Kivilo, Uno Prii, Ilmar Vallner, Henno Sillaste, Elmar Tampõld, Kennet Meipoom, Eneri Taul and Guido Laikve, who has been involved with several Estonian projects. Younger Estonian architects such as Ain Allas, Enn Lillakas and Alar Kongats have also established themselves. Elsewhere in Canada, Victor Virak was for years an employee of the City of Edmonton. Tõnis Tusar, Rein Raimet and Linda Valter wprk in British Columbia. Henn Soosaar is partner in a Halifax firm, while Tiiu O'Brien is the sole Estonian architect working in Montreal. Enn Kayari and Rein Kuris teach at Carlton University in Ottawa, Arved Soosaar at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto and Ants Elken at the University of Toronto.

Estonian World Festivals

(Chapter 30, pp. 341-363)

ESTO '76 - Baltimore

After the success of the first Estonian World Festival in Toronto in 1972, which brought together 20,000 Estonians from around the world, it was agreed that the next festival, ESTO 76, should take place in the United States. Baltimore was chosen because of its central location vis-a-vis the larger North American Estonian centres. In Toronto, the former ESTO '72 committee under the chairmanship of Juri Nurmberg began to take an active part in planning of the festival.

Thanks to the efforts of Baltimore Mayor William Schaefer, ESTO '76 received official sanction as part of the 1976 American bicentennial celebrations under the slogan: "Estonian salute to Bicentennial '76." The opening ceremonies on July 5 at Baltimore's historic Fort McHenry, presided over by Schaefer, were attended by 2,500 people. Over the next six days some 15,000 Estonians from 21 countries and 50 U.S. states attended concerts, film and theatre presentations, art exhibits and conferences As well, a 700-strong delegation paid an official visit to Washington, D.C. where U.S. government representative Senator J. Glenn Beall accepted bicentennial congratulations from Estonians. And on Saturday, July 10, thousands of Estonians, many in folk costume, took part in a march for Estonian freedom through the streets of Baltimore, at the conclusion of which best wishes to the Estonian people were delivered from then U.S. president and the honorary patron of ESTO '76, Gerald Ford.

ESTO '80 - Stockholm

Estonian representatives from around the world agreed after lengthy consultation that ESTO '80 would take place in Stockholm, Sweden. In Canada, a planning committee to organize Canadian Estonians' participation was established under the chairmanship of Tõnu Tosine. The distance made it impossible for many Canadian Estonians to participate in the festival, which ran from July 5-13. Nevertheless, three charter flights were booked to take Estonian-Canadians to Sweden, and many individuals made the trip privately. In spite of the distance, Canadian folk-dancers, singers, gymnasts and other performers took part in the theatre presentations, concerts and performances that have come to characterize Estonianin festivals. But the big surprise of ESTO '80 was the cultural awakening of Swedish Estonians, many of whom had been assimilated into Swedish society. An unexpected 8,000 people attended the opening ceremonies. Festival Gala, a randiose performance featuring hundreds of folk-dancers and gymnasts, attracted 10,000 spectators. And fully 25,000 people took part in the traditional march for freedom on Friday, July 11, which ended with speeches that stressed the need not just for Estonian independence but also freedom for the other two Baltic states, Latvia and Lithuania.

ESTO '84-Toronto

Three Estonian centres were candidates for the honor of hosting ESTO '84: Australia, Toronto and Vancouver. By the time Toronto was finally decided upon, much time had been lost, and a 69-member committee under the chairmanship of Toomas Metsala was quickly established and began its work. .

Despite the late start, by the time 12,000 people filed into Ontario Place on July 8 for ESTO '84's opening ceremonies, all details had been worked out. In attendance was Ontario government representative Thomas L. Wells, who in his speech stressed that the U.S.S.R.'s occupation of Estonia was a painful lesson for all people in the free world.

The week of ESTO '84 featured many highlights. The march for freedom on Thursday, July 12, through the streets of downtown Toronto was attended by 15,000 people. A special honor was paid to Estonians by Brian Mulroney, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, who addressed the crowd in Nathan Philips Square at the conclusion of the march. Canada's future prime minister told appreciative listeners that the march marked the Estonians' continuing fight for freedom.

On Friday, July 12, 14,000 people jammed into Maple Leaf Gardens to witness ESTO Vision, a mass performance of folk-dancing and rhythmic gymnastics. Then-premier of Ontario William Davis also attended and ended his speech to the crowd with the words "Long Live Estonia"- in Estonian. Maple Leaf Gardens was also the host to the song festival on Saturday, July 14, where some 7,500 people listened to a 1,000-strong choir.

Of ESTO '84's numerous concerts, the soloists' concert at Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, July 9, featuring the best of classically trained Estonian artists, deserves special mention. As well, Estonian conductor Neeme Järvi, who has dedicated himself to the popularization of works by Estonian composers, conducted the Toronto Symphony at the Forum in Ontario Place on Tuesday, July 1-0.

In addition to the many theatre performances, exhibits and sporting events, ESTO '84 was also a time for celebration. The ESTO Ball at the Harbour Castle Hilton Hotel on Thursday, July 12, witnessed the judging of the Miss ESTO '84 contest, which was won by Silja Ottas of Australia. The "Rahvapidu" at the International Centre on Saturday, July 14, drew 6,800 people, and was later described by Toronto newspapers as the largest party ever held during the city's 150-year history. A large part of the festival's celebrations catered to young people: ferry rides on Lake Ontario, the nightclub Anchor at the Palais Royale in Toronto's west end, and a disco dance at the top of the CN Tower on Monday, July 9.

Congresses and conferences were held by Estonian schoolteachers, young people, political representatives, doctors and war veterans, among others. Of the many religious services, the 100th anniversary of the Estonian flag was celebrated at a special service at Old St. Andrews Church on July 8. An ecumenical service at St. Paul's Anglican Church on Sunday, July 15 marked the end of ESTO '84.

Other Festivals

(Chapter 31, pp. 364-373)

West Coast Estonian Festivals

The idea for the West Coast Estonian Festival originated in 1952 during discussions between San Francisco and Los Angeles Estonians. The first festival took place in 1953 in San Francisco, followed by the second in Los Angeles in 1955. That year, the West Coast Estonian League was formed to coordinate the biennial festivals to be held in either Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Seattle or Vancouver. The festivals have always attracted visitors and participants from across North America.

Vancouver Estonians have hosted the festivals in 1961, 1969 and 1977, as well as participating in those held in the United States. In 1977, the festival was held on the grounds ,of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and featured concerts, religious services, theatre presentations, song festivals, sporting events and parties attended by more than 2,000 people. The next festival - in Los Angeles - was attended by 1,200 people; in 1981 Seattle attracted 1,500. In 1983, the 30th anniversary of the festival took place in San Francisco, where it had first occurred. Many of the activities took place on the grounds of San Francisco State University, and attracted 1,500 people. Estonian performers from Toronto were particularly active, and included the rhythmic gymnastics groups Ritmika and Kalev-Estienne, the Kungla folk-dancers, the Lindau sisters vocal group, vocalist Tamara Norheim and the youth choir Lootus. Toronto theatre groups were responsible for all three theatre performances at the festival, and the work of seven Canadian artists was featured at the art exhibition.

Regional festivals (Killamängud)

Estonians in Canada have usually retained clear loyalties toward the particular region of Estonia where they were born and raised. These loyalties have often been a factor in the complexions of Estonian organizations in Canada and have contributed to the establishment of societies for people from a particular region. In 1975 the Estonian Federation in Canada's plan to organize a festival dedicated to celebrating Estonia's different counties and regions met with great popular approval. The first such festival in the summer of 1978 near Barrie, Ont., was attended by 3,000 people. In spite of inclement weather, the second festival in August 1981 attracted 1,000 people. The celebrations included speeches and performances by folk-dancers, gymnasts, singers and orchestras. As part of ESTO '84, a day-long festival celebrating the regions of Estonia was attended by 2,000 people.

Miscellaneous festivals

The celebration of the 110th anniversary of Estonian choral festivals in May 1979 in Toronto included a performance in Varsity Arena that featured 800 singers and musicians. The annual summer festival at Seedrioru near Elora, Ont., and its open-air performance has attracted an average 2,400 spectators each year. Other larger festivals include the annual commemoration of Estonian independence. As well, Estonians have either participated in Toronto's multicultural festival Caravan of'have mounted their own celebration, the Tallinn Festival.

Estonian Arts Centre

(Chapter 32, pp. 374-382)

The Estonian Arts Centre grew out of the Estonian Art Museum in Canada, established in 1974. That organization, directed by Stella Kerson, was intended to foster Estonian artistic activities, introduce Estonian art to the Canadian public and establish an Estonian art museum. It was soon decided, however, to extend the organization's activities to all creative arts. As a result, the Estonian Arts Centre (EAC) was founded in 1975 to foster creativity in all artistic fields, provide aid to artists and organize concerts, exhibits and libraries. In 1976, the federal government gave a $4,000,grant to the EAC.

Since then, the centre has organized numerous art exhibits; including a 1977 exhibition at the Scarborough Civic Centre of the works of Estonian artist E. Kõks, O. Timmas and R. Tulving. The EAC was also responsible for the 1979 festival at the University of Toronto's Hart House to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of renowned Estonian graphic artist Eduard Wiiralt. The festival included a representative exhibition of 33 of Wiiralt's works. In 1981 the centre organized an exhibition in Toronto's Estonian House of the works of five young Estonian female artists.

The Estonian Concert Bureau, established in 1972, merged with the Estonian Arts Centre after the latter was established. It has continued to organize concert series, and has enabled many young Estonian artists to perform for the public early in their careers. The EAC has also organized such events as the three-day Estonian music conference in 1979, where participants from across North America took part in seminars, performances and competitions. The centre has also attempted to foster Estonian theatre and literature, and to that end has organized performances, lectures and seminars.

The Estonian Arts Centre maintains an audio-visual department that has been responsible for photo competitions, exhibits and the preparation of slide shows and films detailing such things as the preparation of Estonian handicrafts. As well, the centre administers the Canadian Estonian Cultural Fund, founded in 1970, which has since distributed $50,675 worth of prizes and scholarships to Estonian artists in all fields. And in 1983, the EAC purchased a 100-acre site for an Estonian art museum and cultural centre in the Hockley Valley area 50 km north of Toronto for $135,000. Preliminary development plans are already underway.

The Estonian Ethnographical Society in Canada

(Chapter 33, pp. 383-385)

The impending first Estonian World Festival in 1972 gave new impetus to the establishment of an ethnographical society. At a Toronto exhibition of Estonian folk costumes in October 1971, the question was put to the public. As a result of overwhelmingly favorable sentiment, the Estonian Ethnographical Society in Canada was established on November 22, 1971, and has since dedicated itself to studying and creating Estonian folk arts; organizing ethnographical exhibits, demonstrations and lectures; and placing Estonian ethnographical items into Canadian museums and Estonian archives. To that end, special exhibitions have been held at such places as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre and the Canadian National Exhibition. The society was also instrumental in the establishment of a permanent Estonian exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum.

The Forest University at Kotkajärve (Metsaülikool)

(Chapter 34, pp. 386-390)

The need for an organization to fill the needs of those Estonian young people who had outgrown the traditional Estonian school system became evident over a period of time. With that end in mind, the Forest University - at Kotkajärve was established in 1966 to supplement the cultural knowledge of Estonian youth by concentrating on the Estonian language, Estonian literature, history, art, music, and ideological and sociological problems, as wel as practical subjects such as folk-dancing, singing, gymnastics and ethnography.

The first courses were held in August 1967. Since then, the annual sessions have featured lectures by Estonian academics from across North America and Europe. With the exception of 1974, when the event took place in Finland, and 1982, when space was unavailable, the Forest University has taken place every year at Kotkajärve in Muskoka. Up to 1973, an average of 130 people a year took part; since 1975, participation has been limited to about 100. The most important aspect of the Forest University is its focus on improving the practical knowledge of the Estonian language among young people. To that end, formal lectures are supplemented by seminars that allow students to concentrate on their areas of interest. The popularity of the Forest University has resulted in closer ties between Estonians across North America and also increased awareness of Estonian culture and history. Indeed, its success has led to the establishment of similar institutions in Sweden and Australia.

Estonian Documentary Films

(Chapter 35, pp. 391-393)

As early as 1957 Edgar Väär, a professional cameraman, filmed that year's North American Estonian Festival in Toronto. Since then he has filmed many important Estonian events, including ESTO '72 and ESTO '84. Other Estonian ventures have included Ruberg, directed by Alar Kivilo and produced by Harri Kivilo, a film that details the life and work of Estonian artist Endel Ruberg. In 1984 The Estonians: For the Record, directed by Tiina Soomet, was released in both English and Estonian. The half-hour documentary details 20th-century Estonian history with rare black-and-white film footage.