Ottawa Estonians celebrated the 93rd anniversary of Estonian independence on February 24 at the Royal Oak Pub-On the Canal. Around two dozen people attended. The program was informal. Riho Kruuv, Chargé d'affaires of the Estonian embassy delivered a short well received
aktusekõne (speech) in English which concluded with the statement that we can be proud of our country and a toast to the fatherland.
Everyone stood for a minute of silence to remember and mourn the young victims of the fire at Haapsalu orphanage. Extracts from president Ilves' speech were passed around the tables. It was a very enjoyable friendly evening that was slightly marred by the disappointing absence of several familiar faces, the owners of which had decided to attend a performance of the Mariinski (Kirov) Ballet from Russia that night.
Photo and text: PB
Viimased kommentaarid
Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
Just slightly cynical28 Feb 2011 21:16
I don't believe that 'fatherland' conjures up thoughts of the Nazis, at least, among the mass of people.
The term has rightly fallen out of favour because it somehow overlooks the fact that we need a father and a mother before any land can become our homeland. These days, 'fatherland' and 'motherland' both sound a bit silly.
It also sounds a bit silly when a third generation immigrant, who can't speak Estonian, emotionally declares himself to be a great Estonian nationalist; although, there's no harm in any of this.
Isamaalane28 Feb 2011 16:27
Nõustun Teie seisukohaga, aga AINULT siis, kui Te ise elate Eestis. Siis Eesti on Teie kodumaa. Kanadas elavale on Vahtralehemaa kodumaa, Eesti aga isamaa, või, kui soovite, isademaa.
See pole tähenärimine, vaid fakt. Seega on autori tõlkevalik igati õige ja paikapeav, ja mingi (natsistliku) Saksamaaga seda sõna ei saa siduda. Olid ju ärkamisaja (ja varajasemadki) luuletajad ikka isamaale keskendunud, ja kui kodumaa jõudis salmidesse, siis seda õigustatult, nad elasid ometi Eestis, diasporaa oli väike, mitte nii nagu täna, kui valikuliselt lahkutakse "kodumaalt" massiliselt parema elu otsingul... kui sellega leppides - ja mis vaid ainult leppides, ka ülesehitamas kõike seda väärtuslikku, - mis on õitsemas kodumaal, Eestis.
Peeter Bush28 Feb 2011 07:02
Usually at the end of these festive gatherings we sing a song the first words of which are "Mu isamaa..".
We did not do so in the pub. The song is Estonia's national anthem and the words mean "My fatherland.." I doubt that these words have any connection to Nazi Germany.
For most readers, especially those that read the English section, Estonia is not our homeland although some may dispute this. The older generation that lived there probably do use that expression. In my case it actually is the land my father came from and the words of the anthem were echoing in my mind when I wrote the piece.
I passed on the email address of the new person to Ottawa Eesti Selts. Hope to see him or her soon at one of our functions.
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