Members of the Estonian Ethnographic Society in Canada, from left Rutt Veskimets, Mall Puhm, Helle Arro, Ellen Leivat, Kati Marley, Maaja Matsoo and Liis Teedla, are proud as punch of their colourful, striped contribution to the blocks of the Prince Edward County Barn Quilt Trails. Photo: Maaja Matsoo
Last fall an article appeared in this very paper (#48, Friday, December 4, 2015) showing a picture of members of the Estonian Ethnographic Society (EERK) watching paint dry, and I am glad to inform you that the paint has finally dried! EERK has completed the painted panels they had undertaken for a winter project and invited its members to participate in unveiling the “Stripes from the Estonian Loom” at Leivat’s Niidiotsa farm in Prince Edward County on the weekend of July 9th.
Seven members of EERK took the scenic drive out to Niidiotsa farm in order to finalize any last minute details so that unveiling the resulting striped doors of the paadikuur (boat shed) could proceed without a hitch. Almost 30 people, including local friends and relatives, celebrated this event with a champagne toast as they observed the vibrant stripes of Hiiumaa’s Pühalepa Esiküla become exposed, not only to Estonians, but to all who drive by on County Road 39 on the southern shores of Wellers Bay.
These stripes are the “quilt block” that EERK prepared to showcase its Estonian heritage in the Prince Edward County Barn Quilt Trails. EERK hopes soon to see its block represented in the myriad of blocks thus far displayed on the website (see http://www.pecbarnquilttrails.... for more information). In so doing, EERK has created its birthday gift to commemorate Estonia’s 100th anniversary, plus, since this gift to Estonia is in Canada, it also celebrates Canada’s upcoming 150th birthday by demonstrating how Estonians, too, are a vibrant part of Canada.
Elagu eestlased Kanadas! Long live Estonians in Canada!
Maaja Matsoo
In the second picture can be seen most of the group of people who came July 9th to participate in the unveiling of Hiiumaa's Pühalepa Esiküla block, “Stripes from the Estonian Loom”. Photo: Maja Matsoo.