Toronto Estonians celebrated the 87th anniversary of Estonian independence at Estonian House on February 19, 2005 with their annual diplomatic reception. The annual Independence Day event, hosted by the Honourary Consul General of Estonia (in Canada) and the Estonian Central Council, was a tradition during the times of Soviet occupation, when independence was but a dream. So what is the purpose now that independence has been restored - over a decade ago - and Estonia is in the protective embrace of NATO and the arms of the European Union?

" Victory Day in May is a big celebration for Russia, where they remember the downfall of Nazism, " said Honourary Consul General Laas Leivat, who is also political consultant for Estonian Central Council. "Instead, Russia simply took over from the Nazis with a vengeance. " That vengeance was the theme of this year's reception, when Leivat moderated a modernized re-enactment of the Soviet takeover of Estonia using Estonian troops in the exact same places.

The president of the Estonian Central Council (EKN), Avo Kittask shared with Leivat the honours of masters of ceremonies. They introduced the guests, guests of honour and gave out EKN medals to those who have promoted the Estonian cause abroad.

The guests were the members of the diplomatic community looking very similar to those that have joined the US in its action in Iraq. The guests of honour were Members of Parliament Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Liberal) and Peter Van Loan (Conservative) who is of Estonian heritage, and Member of Provincial Parliament Michael Prue (NDP), in the sequence of their speaking.

Van Loan broke party ranks and showed a lot of class by congratulating Wrzesnewskyj on his bringing the Canadian government on side, backing Victor Yuschenko (pro West presidential candidate, and subsequent winner, in Ukraine). Van Loan spoke of his Estonian upbringing near Jõekääru (the Estonian youth camp).

What Wrzesnewskyj didn't mention was his intensive work supporting M.P. Andrew Telegdi who is Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration opposing moves by Judy Sgro, former minister of Citizenship and Immigration, passing a law allowing the minister to strip anyone of their citizenship and deporting them without reason. " This legislation is very dangerous, " said Wrzesnewskyj.

This is not the first time Wrzesnewskyj has come in contact with Estonians. " When we were in our dangerous teenage years, Borys came to spend a week at Kotkajärve (guide/scout camp) representing the Ukranian scouts at an ethnic scouting Jamboree. He maintained his scouting friendship with us and returned during regular Estonian camp later in the summer - but this was because the Estonian girl guides were far more attractive than us," said Tõnu Naelapea of Estonian Life, a member of the Estonian representation at that Jamboree. Naelapea remained mum about what actually took place that summer.

Prue spoke of his contact with the Estonian art community since he was East York mayor, speaking fondly of the pieces of art he has on his wall. His contact in the Estonian community is Mai Järve.

The most significant example of Estonian capability and culture was the performance of the Medri string quartet (or quintet - minus the one who was still at school). All the speeches combined couldn't explain Estonia better than this small, but potent force. Whether it was their impeccable performance or that it came from a group that young, they kept the audience in silence throughout the exquisite performance. There probably wasn't an Estonian chest that didn't expand with pride.

These are events when diplomats and politicians come to rub shoulders with the Estonians, when our lobby groups have the opportunity to thank our contacts in the corridors of power. Always a heady event.

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