Kallid kaasmaalased/Dear friends,
Some say, "Where there are two Estonians there is one group. Where there are three (Estonians) there are two (groups)." One might say that implies Estonians, as a northern people, are reserved and perhaps unwelcoming. We say the number of groups we have represents the wide diversity of our interests and an openness to associate ourselves in groups with people with like-minded goals. In that spirit, this year for the first time, three associations have joined together to offer you—everyone—Sõpruspäevad in Florida: KLENK (Kesk Lääne Eesti Noorte Koondis), KFES (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts), and LFEK (Lõuna Florida Eestlaste Koondis)[Estonian Society of the Midwest, Estonian Society of Central Florida, and Estonian National Association of South Florida]. We invite EVERYONE with an interest in our Estonian heritage and eestlus to join us January 6-7, 2012, in sub-tropical St. Petersburg, Florida.
This email—please read through to the end—provides you will all the information you need to make your plans. Questions? Email .
Come join us!
Kava/Program
Continuing the 50+ year KLENK Sõpruspäevad tradition, academic-style lectures are offered by day and evening festivities are filled with folk music, sing-alongs and folk dance. For the first time in KLENK's history, most lectures will be given in English so we may welcome our non-Estonian speaking spouses and friends and help our second and third generation Estonian Americans learn more about their heritage in a more comfortable language environment. Of course, Estonian will be spoken here!
Friday, January 6, 2012
5:00 pm Welcome
5:15 pm Memorial Service remembering KLENK founders who passed away in 2011 (Õp. Nelli Vahter will lead this program, assisted by Ms. Linda Einpaul, Mr. Loit Maripuu, and Ms. Lisa Mets)
6:15-7:45 pm Cash bar and dinner
After dinner program
"Siilikesed" (
http://www.iub.edu/~bafsa/hedg...) Folk Music group (led by Ain Haas of Indianapolis)
Sing-along with Ms. Kaie Latterner and Mr. Enn Kiilaspea
Saturday, January 7, 2012
(Breakfast on your own)
9:00 am Welcome
MORNING THEME:
Views and Experiences of Estonian Americans and Estonians in America in Light of 20 Years of Estonian Independence
9:15-10:00 am Responses to the ERKÜ Survey (led by Mr. Arne Kalm, Ms. Kersti Linask, Ms. Monika Orumaa)
10:00-10:45 am Välis-eestlaste tagasiränne kodumaale (interviews with Estonian Americans returning to live in Estonia) (Sociology Professor Ain Haas)
11:00-11:45 am What's Your Retirement Plan? (This session provides us a rare opportunity to look at our financial planning (no matter what our age!) with wealth management advisor and columnist Ms. Carina Diamond)
11:45 am-12:30 pm Estonian Entrepreneurism in Tampa Bay, Florida (Ms. Sigrid Bratic, founder of the Little Greek Restaurant franchise)
12:30-1:30 pm Lunch and Program on Highlights from the Baltic Defense College (Mr. Eric Sibul)
AFTERNOON THEME: Distinctively Estonian
1:45-2:30 pm Marie Under: Why Didn't She Receive a Nobel Prize in Literature?! (Award-winning author and Marie Under Scholar Ms. Sirje Kiin)
2:30-3:30 pm Music at our Cultural Heart: ERSO and the Ooperi Orkester (World renowned conductor Mr. Taavo Virkhaus)
3:45-4:15 pm Theatrical Interlude: The Flower Vendor (Ms. Helve Parts and Mr. Heiki Parts)
4:15-4:45 pm Surveys say Estonians are among the least religious people in the world and they also highlight "maausk." Should we care what surveys say? What is "maausk?" (Noted commentator Jüri Toomepuu)
4:45-5:15 pm Hot Off the American Press (soon to be released in Estonian in Estonia): "We Were Estonian Soldiers" (Speaker and author Mr. Carl Orav)
SATURDAY EVENING PROGRAM
6:00-7:30 pm Cash Bar and dinner
Dinner Program:
Closing Remarks: Lgp. Peakonsul Sten Schwede
"Saare Vikat" –New Yorgi Eesti Rahvatantsu Rühm, rühmajuht, Liisi Vanaselja. Tantsijad Taivo Ets, Jaani Kangro, Linda Kangro, Andres Olvet, Kaili Telmet, ja Liisi Vanaselja (travel underwritten by NY Eesti Abistamiskomitee)
"Siilikesed" (Ain Haas and fellow folk musicians)
Sing-along with Kaie Latterner and Enn Kiilaspea
Ms. Sirje Press will lead us all in folk dance (Being Estonian is NOT a spectator sport! Bring your folk dancing spirit to dinner!)
Loterii
SUNDAY, January 8, 2012
10:00-10:45 am KLENK Annual Business Meeting: What's next?
11:00 am Hotel check out for those leaving on Sunday
REGISTRATION
Because of the timing of our financial commitments to the hotel, we encourage everyone to register by December 16, 2012. A discount is offered to those who do register by December 16, 2012. All registrations must be received by January 2, 2012. No refunds can be given after January 2, 2012. Note: Elements of the program may change due to unforeseen circumstances. The registration form is attached.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
To take advantage of the sub-tropical Florida setting, the conference will be held in the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove (
http://www.marinacoveresort.co... ), 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711, which is located on beautiful Tampa Bay at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. With its sandy beach, heated swimming pool, children’s playground, and setting on Tampa Bay, we hope KLENK participants will find the favorable nightly rate of $79 enticing ($88.48 total per room per night including taxes, up to four occupants at no additional charge). Parking and resort fees are included in the hotel rate. The rate applies up to three days prior to the start of the conference and may be continued up to three days after the conference. Check-in is 4:00 pm; let the hotel know if your travel plans call for an earlier check-in. Call the hotel directly to make your reservation; telephone toll free 800.227.8045; direct 727.867.1151. Let the reservations agent know you are attending the “Estonian Conference.” Hotel reservations must be made by December 16, 2011 to receive the favorable rate in a block of rooms reserved for this conference.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER SÕPRUSPÄEVAD
Need help with local attractions? Email Henn Rebane at .
