With the onset of September, though the calendar disagrees, summer is over for most people. It is a time of some sadness - the traditional vacation period full of sun, sea and sport, concludes for students heading off to class, for parents gaining an increased workload to pensioners heading back to community activities.
This year, September also brings with a number of question marks, more so than in the recent past. While nothing in life is certain, there have lately been more questions than answers, the world teetering in nervous anticipation.
Globally the Saddam question is one that is heating up as the temperature is going down. What will Bush do? Or, more likely when. For the Americans, as well as the rest of the world the 11th of September marks the first anniversary of the most terrible terrorist act of all time. How that date will be marked, and what that day will bring is also difficult to guess at.
Still on the international stage the Palestinian problem has not and will not go away, Putin’s Russia is again experiencing economic uncertainies (not alone in this category at all, but as a major world power Russia’s woes have an intensifyine effect), the Chechen War sees no end, Belarus may return to Russia’s fold, Ukraine also is going through an authoritarian phase. For the Baltics this fall holds great promise with NATO membership at stake. Though not out of the woods yet - intense pressure is still required from lobby groups home and abroad, and this is where the efforts of JBANC and the American Baltic groups is vital. JBANC’s lobby experience is irreplacable, their efforts to be highly applauded.
In Estonia the summer passed reasonably, for a change scandal-free, exception being obviously the kerfuffle in the Foreign Ministry. Unfortunately the country at present lacks an international presence in the embodiment of an experienced and respected politician, as was the case with the last president, prime minister and foreign minister. With local level elections coming up this fall many new political alliances and two new parties have been formed. One hopes that Estonia gets beyond the personal, petty and picayune in politics, that common goals rather than personal enmity, personal goals be sought. In this matter one is tempted to support the recent suggestion made by the Editor-in-Chief of the culture weekly Sirp, Mihkel Mutt. Mutt some what tongue in cheek addressed this very point of the grey scale in Estonian politics, and the lack of oomph on the world stage. His suggestion that Indrek Tarand and Eerik Niiles Kross join forces, form a party and contest the entrenched (often with past Communist Party allegiances still part of the bonds) status quo is a fine one. It is a shame for example, that the former nationalist Pro Patria Union, seen by many as the only honest nationalist option has become home to politicians who have no place there.
The role of the Estonian community abroad is still significant, lobby work needs to be kept up, for it was really through the pressure of political organizations during the exile period that national issues were kept from being trampled upon. Although there are tensions between home and abroad they need not exist, and frankly, do no good for common interests. The recent article by Eerik- Niiles Kross in Eesti Päevaleht underlines this with valuable emphasis.
Here in Toronto, the bastion of Estonians abroad, the community is rolling up its sleeves and commencing a new season of cultural activity, maintaining our identity in the multicultural mosaic. Parents of school age children are to be commended for keeping Estonian issue alive. Parenting is already stressful at the best of times, juggling activities and hobbies, never mind schooling, scouting and religious education in the mother tongue. The Scout and Guide leaders gathering this weekend at Kotkajärve for their annual council days receive far too little credit for their volunteer efforts. A moral, christian Estonian value system is instilled in our scouting youth, an ethic that proves its worth for the rest of one’s life. All this in the context of respecting nature and picking up practical skills.
Our heritage language schools do much as well; laudable are the programs for those whose Estonian heritage appreciation is hampered by language skill. Teaching Estonian to anyone is a high calling indeed. The success of the Estonian Studies program at U of T has been financially ensured in perpetuity, in turn providing yet another valuable cornerstone for Estonians in Canada. Churches, social groups, the list goes on.
But there are some worrying demographic trends that may be difficult to halt, never mind reverse. Most community groups and organizations are run by pensioners, the lack of new blood telling. Some pessimists are taking this as evidence of an inevitability - the drying up of our vibrant community. Time will tell, and hope should spring eternal.
It remains essential to keep this positive, volunteering ethic. Granted, there simply are not enough finances available for everything, nor time for all programs. The loss of funding for the Estonian schools has meant the need to find creative fundraising. Tuition is not yet exorbitant, but for many parents struggling with mortgages, car payments and an uncertain job market every expense is carefully gauged. Here the role of organizations dedicated to financially supporting Estonian activity is clear- the Estonian Credit Union as the financial cornerstone of the community laudably provides generous support. More support is still needed; the Estonian Central Council, a valuable political lobby organization needs continued financial support. There are many more worthy groups that for lack of space are not listed here.
But, even with these clouds over our heads a positive frame of mind can and must be maintained. Working toward those things that we can control, influence is the best way to ensure that this September and the following months will lead us all into a safer, securer, and with fervent hope, a gentler future.
English leader: Under a questioning cloud
Arvamus
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