The Vancouver Estonian community celebrated a momentous occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of Vancouver Estonian Society (VES). Hosted on Saturday, April 13th, at Meie Kodu in Vancouver, the event marked a significant milestone in the cultural heritage of the community and specifically highlighted 75 years of folkdance in Vancouver, as the first Folk Dance ensemble was recognized as the inaugural subgroup of VES.
Guests from near and far were in attendance, including Seattle, Victoria, Alberta, Ontario, and Estonia. New faces as well as familiar faces from the past came to support the event. Among them were those whose late parents or grandparents had been members of VES, or who themselves had danced in the past, which added a sense of generational continuity and connection to the celebration. Also in attendance, were representatives from each of the Latvian, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian communities.
The festivities commenced with an opening address by Thomas Pajur, former President of the Vancouver Estonian Society, setting the tone for a night of celebration and reflection of the remarkable journey of VES and its role in the community over the past seven decades. Highlighting the event was the presence of Kairi Taul-Hemingway, President of the Estonian Central Council in Canada, who traveled from Toronto to Vancouver for the occasion. Her presence and remarks added a special significance to the event, honouring the resilience and legacy of the greater Vancouver Estonian community, while paying tribute to dedicated leaders and volunteers for their unwavering dedication to preserving Estonian culture and traditions on the West Coast of Canada.
A significant moment of the evening came when Kairi and VES President, Ingrid Soide, presented the silver EKN Medal of Merit award to Olev Rumm and Gold Medal of Merit award to Helgi Leesment, recognizing their invaluable contributions of service to the Estonian community over many years. Also presented silver Medal of Merit Awards earlier in the year, at Vancouver’s 106th Estonian Independence Day commemoration, were recipients Thomas Pajur and Tom Vesik. The passion and long-term service of the 2024 recipients have helped sustain and enrich the cherished Estonian cultural community for generations.
Guests were treated to archival footage and photos curated by the Estonian Archives in Vancouver, offering a nostalgic glimpse into 75 years of folk dancing heritage that captured the enduring spirit of the various leaders and dancers throughout the decades. Live performances by Vancouver Kilplased and Koidik folk dancers were nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the vibrant and rich tapestry of Estonian folk culture. Decked out in colourful folk costumes, 18 dancers performed Hiiu Valts, Ingliskad, Tuustep, Kuhaanuška and Tuljak followed by all audience members being invited to join in classic Estonian group dances together.
Downstairs, the hall buzzed with activity as attendees savoured the offerings of homemade Estonian cuisine, North Point Beer, and the specialty cocktail of the night, the “Mäeotsa Mule”. Folk dance costumes, alongside additional film archival footage and an archival photo collage were on display. The warmth of camaraderie and the aroma of traditional dishes filled the air, creating an atmosphere of familial togetherness and shared heritage.
As the formal program concluded, the Silver Stars Band, a VES past time favourite, took centre stage, enchanting the crowd with two lively sets of European polkas, waltzes, and other crowd-pleasers. Against the backdrop of infectious melodies, attendees took to the floor, young and old, embracing the spirit and essence of the evening's jubilation. The chicken dance, conga line, ABBA and everything in between…many of us danced late into the night.
A heartfelt thank you is extended to the Estonian Foundation of Canada for their sponsorship and support, and to all of the many VES members and volunteers whose tireless efforts made this event possible. Their combined dedication and hard work ensured that this milestone celebration was a resounding success, leaving a lasting imprint on the collective memory of the Vancouver Estonian community. Here's to 75 years of Estonian folk dancing in Vancouver and to many more years of shared culture, tradition, and community spirit!
Ingrid Soide,
Vancouveri Eesti Selts
