It was with mixed emotions that an Estonian arrived at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, in front of City Hall to participate in a decades long tradition afforded by the municipal government, to raise the beautiful Estonian blue, black and white flag and sing Estonia’s national anthem to commemorate the country’s anniversary of independence on February 24th. For it was also the first anniversary of Russia’s belligerent and uncalled-for invasion of Ukraine.
Hence seeing the also beautiful Ukrainian blue and yellow flag already atop the ceremonial flagpole on the ramp to the rotunda was no surprise, although the slight disappointment of the realization that the Estonian-Canadian ceremony would not take place was there. That soon disappeared, after encountering Kairi Taul Hemingway in the lobby of City Hall. The President of The Estonian Central Council in Canada, EKN, had been there for the 9 a.m. Ukrainian ceremony and remained to inform Estonian-Canadians of the cancellation of the event. EKN had been advised of this city decision a mere two days before. They posted the information on their Facebook Page, which for those who do not participate in social media, as is the case with the undersigned, was of little service.
No matter. Kairi informed me that the Estonian flag would be raised the next day; our tricolour would flutter prominently in Toronto’s downtown. And seeing as our celebratory assemblies always take place on weekends closest to the actual date of our declaration of independence it was perhaps moot. It did happen, and that is the point. And should courage and grit prevail, next year, when we sing the Estonian anthem on a cold and windy day we can mark the successful end of the war and Ukraine’s freedom.
Kairi spoke at the Ukrainian flag-raising; the video clip was aired on television and is available at the EKN Facebook page. The very well written speech emphasized the connection that Estonians have with Ukraine and Ukrainians. Not only receiving tens of thousands of refugees - predominantly women and children - from the war-torn country but the fact that Estonia has contributed a greater percentage of its GDP in support of Ukraine, than any other country in the world. She added the pride we feel when we consider the Estonian government showing remarkable international leadership.
EKN and its leadership is to be commended for their efforts abroad. As are other volunteer organizations such as EERO and Lõbus Pärastlõuna, the pensioners support group here, for fundraising for Ukraine. Our community has donated close to $500,000 and many community members have supported refugees in their homes.
We are feeling a sense of Ukrainianism abroad. The suffix ism forms a common noun, usually generated to name an ideology or of being one of a class of beings or things. Often imposed – think socialism and communism, also often voluntary, think Buddhism. It is certainly not wrong that on last Friday we were Ukrainians, both in the morning and evening at Nathan Phillips Square, after a march through downtown Toronto attended by thousands, including local Estonians ended up there for speeches and declarations. An important day.
Ukrainian-Canadian, Edmonton born John Stetch (born Stechishin) is a jazz pianist with 6 Juno nominations for his recordings. One of those is the wonderful Ukrainainism, (Justin Time, 2002) from which the title here was borrowed. The disc is a harmonically rich improvisation on Ukrainian folk melodies and inspiration from history. Though born abroad, Stetch certainly feels strongly about his heritage. Just as we Estonians here do. The complexities added to simple melodies are original, percussive yet melodic and certainly merits a listening, especially now. When Stetch plays “Rye, not wheat!” or “Zabava” one is aurally in Ukraine, with the farmers, with the soldiers. No reason to sing the “Carpathian blues”, or consider “Famine”. That is part of Ukraine’s long and troubled history. Yet Stetch is positive, as we should be as Ukraine fends off the aggressor, intending to maintain freedom and democracy.
Anniversaries are but a means of marking the passage of 365 days or a multiple of them since a significant event. Yet their importance is in never forgetting what has been achieved, and what, at all costs must be kept dear and retained. Slava Ukraini, Elagu Eesti!
