Culture | Eesti Elu / Estonian Life

Eesti keeles

Use social media:

Forum

Class of 1943: Remember us when we are gone

Details: Thursday, 05 July 2012 23:53; Tõnu Naelapea - Estonian Life No. 27 2012

Class of 1943. Photo: www.exitfilm.eeAmsterdam based Helga Merits is a documentary filmmaker who has turned to the refugee/expatriate community in the past for help with her projects. For the last decade or more she has been focusing on her father's generation. Paul Meerits was a member of the class of 1943 at the Tartu Poeglaste Gümnaasium, graduating at a tumultuous time in Estonia's history.

Merits' latest film, Klassikaaslased 1943 aastast – unustatud mälestused had its première on June 5th in Tallinn. As it is intended to also reach the English speaking audience to educate that large number the movie is subtitled. And as documentaries usually do not have the long runs at theatres that feature films do, this project, completed with Tallinn's Exitfilm, will soon be available on DVD, where the viewer will have a choice of seeing either the English language or Estonian language version, both subtitled as necessary. The English language version is titled Class of 19434: Remember us when we're gone.

One of the first DVDs produced reached my desk recently and in the process of introducing the project I would also like to extend the filmmaker's thanks to Eesti Elu readers who have over the years provided her with additional information to complete her own research and archival material.

ROSENKAVALIER BROUGHT TO STAGE BY THE CATHEDRAL BLUFFS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF TORONTO

Details: Sunday, 17 June 2012 11:34; Norman-Illis Reintamm

Norman-Illis ReintammMAY 26, 2012
P.C. HO THEATRE
TORONTO

Rosenkavalier is a quintessential piece of music, which in many musicians' eyes is the pinnacle of music making.

Norman Reintamm (Conductor of the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra in Toronto), together with Helga Tucker (a leading singing teacher in Toronto) mused about the possibility of doing a concert performance of this work a couple of years ago. Norman and Helga (working very closely within the context of an informal "opera studio" under the auspices of the C.B.S.O.) realized that they had all of the elements in place to put Rosenkavalier on stage.

An interesting background and many highlights on concert-tour of Tartu choir

Details: Sunday, 03 June 2012 17:47; Andres Raudsepp - Eesti Elu Nr. 22 2012

One of the memorable moments in Canada. The morning prior to their concert-performance in Ottawa found the University of Tartu Academic Female Choir on Parliament Hill. After an hour-long visit and walking tour through the halls of democracy with Government House Leader Peter Van Loan, the visiting group gathered in front of Centre Block and the Peace Tower for this rare photo. Front and centre: the Hon Peter Van Loan. Behind the MP (centre left) conductor Triin Koch. In the group are Paul and Kristjan Läänemets, assistants to Mr. Van Loan. Accompanying the choir to Ottawa as administrative staff for tour co-ordinator: musicians from Toronto Kristina Agur and Riho Maimets. Photo: Andres RaudseppQuite a lot has been written about the events that made up the concert-tour of the University of Tartu Academic Female Choir in Toronto and Ottawa.
Last week's Eesti Elu carried three reports, each by a different writer, none of whom being the local promoter-organizer.

While the public appearances in concert-mode during the two-week period totalled seven, there was singing practically every day. Before leaving for the airport for the return trip to Eesti, the choir sang for their hosts in the Tartu College buffeteria. The night before, the choir sang for their conductor Triin Koch who felt she did not need to conduct at that point. Even the Parliament buildings in Ottawa reverberated to the beauty of the choir's uniform tone.

We might repeat the main events. The principal concert at Trinity-United with lights and staging, an amazing movement-folkmusic performance at Esto House, an emotion-charged encounter with seniors at Ehatare, singing for two congregations on a Sunday, a half-hour concert performance at Knox Presbyterian in Ottawa and a heart-felt farewell in Seedrioru that truly was a concert as well.

The Dedalus Book of Estonian Literature

Details: Sunday, 13 May 2012 21:09; Andres Gutman

The Dedalus Book of Estonian LiteratureEdited by Jan Kaus and translated by Eric Dickens

It's only a million people who speak Estonian and that gives rise to a question – where lies the minimum for a people to generate a full-fledged literature? We can't say, although; this book tells us that it's somewhere below the million mark.

Dedalus offers us a cross-section of Estonian fiction, spanning a bit more than the 20th century in three distinct periods – the golden period ending with World War II; the grey period of the Soviet Censor; and the two-toned green period of Estonian re-independence: that's green as in currently trendy and green, as in a bad hangover.

In the anglosphere, fluency in a second language is the exception. Elsewhere, its the rule. Among Estonians, fluency in several languages is the norm and this has shaped our literature into something instantly recognizable as a compatible entrée for a European cultural banquet.

Anton Tammsaare, the great novelist of the golden period, was a prolific translator – of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Joseph Conrad, Oscar Wilde, and many others.

Triin Koch, conductor of the University of Tartu Academic Female Choir

Details: Sunday, 06 May 2012 22:48; Andres Raudsepp

Triin Koch - Photo by TÜAN archive"She adds a wondrous dimension to my compositions."
Thus speaks one of Estonia's best-known composers about Triin Koch, conductor of the University of Tartu Academic Female Choir which is coming to Toronto and Ottawa this merry month of May.

Triin and the university choir will be arriving in Toronto May 7 and, after a number of preliminary engagements, will be performing at Estonian House May 12 and Trinity-St. Paul's United on May 15.

Triin Koch is currently considered as one of Estonia's most talented choral conductors, whose interpretations of Estonian and international musical works have delighted, even excited, juries and audiences alike.

Behind the scenes at the VEMU Dinner

Details: Saturday, 28 April 2012 02:13; Kristina Lupp

VEMU fundraising dinner. Photo by Taavi TamtikLast Friday's VEMU fundraising dinner was a huge success. Inga Paenurm, executive chef to the President of Estonia pulled it off without a hitch, serving traditional Estonian flavours with a modern twist. Kilu trüffel anyone?

Plans started taking shape two years ago when Aino Müllerbeck suggested bringing Inga to Toronto after reading an article about her in an Estonian paper. She had just been with the President visiting the King of Sweden to prepare a special luncheon. After that, emails started flying back and forth, and before we knew it, Inga and I were sitting on a plane en route to Toronto.

Choir from Estonia at Canada’s national choral conference, Podium 2012

Details: Saturday, 28 April 2012 01:33; Andres Raudsepp

Choir from Estonia at Canada's national choral conference.Canada's national choral conference will be held in Ottawa this year. The event, called Podium 2012 and held from May 17 – 20, will bring choristers composers, educators and administrators together for an event that will highlight Canada's top professional and amateur choral ensembles.

For Estonians in Canada the event will have special meaning since one of the choirs performing will be the University of Tartu Academic Female Choir.

The event in Ottawa, though centred around the Lord Elgin Hotel and held at various venues, will immediately bring to mind the national choral festival held in Estonia's national capital every five years, the historically based spectacular Laulupidu. Podium is different. Instead of creating a mass choir of 30,000 under a huge acoustic arch, the conference showcases a dozen choirs chosen by audition across the country.

Ewert and the Two Dragons: Musicians define Estonians’ new spirit

Details: Saturday, 28 April 2012 01:25; Linda Ambos

Ewert and the Two Dragons in Estonian school.Riding a wave of success at home and in Europe, Estonia's very hot indie-rock band, Ewert and the Two Dragons, recently made their Toronto debut at Canadian Music Week.

Asked if they would be playing their music in Soviet times, members of the quartet quietly smile and shake their heads. "Western music was decadent and evil," says lead singer and keyboardist Ewert Sundja only half-jokingly about growing up in the shadow of Soviet prohibitions on culture and language.

Easter weather by the (Good) book

Details: Friday, 20 April 2012 00:00; Riina Kindlam

After painting as well as dyeing Easter eggs with sibula/koored (onion skins) and eating pasha, making lume/inglid (snow angels) was next on the agenda. At least for pals these three pals in Tallinn. Photo by Riina KindlamEaster weather in Estonia this year could not have been more by the book. The big, Good book that is. Snow is not appropriate you say? Well, it was definitely hard to find someone who remembered the last snowy liha/võtte/pühad

or "meat taking holiday", referring to the end of fasting for Lent. Butit turns out at least the Maritime provinces experienced the same anomaly...

The last day of March was one for finally bringing the bike out of the shed in Tallinn, but on the evening of April 1st it began to snow again in earnest. April 1st is traditionally the day when herds were finally let out to pasture to frolic and

play after the long winter (karja/laske/päev).

These days most Estonians have removed their studded winter tires by this deadline.

Every single night in April until now has seen temperatures dip below freezing all over Eesti and each of the first few mornings were topped with fresh white. No big deal really. We know that Päike (the sun) is king and anything that happens before first light is soon in jeopardy.

Estonian heritage display at the Provincial Archives of Alberta

Details: Friday, 20 April 2012 00:00; Helgi Leesment

Visitors at the official opening of the Estonian heritage display at the Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton, April 4, 2012. Left to right Martin Peek, Jan Urke and Mikk Peek. Photo: Helgi Leesment.The Provincial Archives of Alberta are giving the Estonian community royal treatment. Currently, and continuing until June 1, 2012, it is housing an exhibition of Alberta Estonian heritage in its main foyer.

The Archives staff graciously hosted an official opening event on April 4, 2012, attended by approximately 30 people. Leslie Latta-Guthrie, Executive Director and Provincial Archivist, Province of Alberta, as the opening speaker, welcomed the exhibit and that day's visitors with an account of the Archives' role in the production, inviting everyone to stay for coffee, tea and sweets after the ceremony.

Upcoming events

SEEDRIORU VII LAULUPÄEV Sat. 22 Jun, 2013 (15:00)
TIMMASE STUUDIO KUNSTILAAGER Jõekäärul Mon. 1 Jul, 2013 (8:00 - 9:00)
JÕEKÄÄRU LASTE SUVEKODU Sun. 7 Jul, 2013 (9:00)
SEEDRIORU LASTE SUVEKODU Sun. 7 Jul, 2013 (9:00)
Seedrioru Suvekodu MASKERAAD Sat. 13 Jul, 2013 (8:00)
Seedrioru Suvekodu VALGUSPIDU Sat. 20 Jul, 2013 (20:00)
Seedrioru Suvekodu SUURLÕKE Sat. 27 Jul, 2013 (20:00)
Seedrioru Suvekodu TANTS Fri. 2 Aug, 2013 (16:00)
JK KALEVI VÕRKPALLILAAGER Mon. 5 Aug, 2013 (9:00)
EGO GOLFITURNIIR St Andrew's Valley Golfiklubis Sat. 28 Sep, 2013 (11:00)

Calendar of events

< >

June 2013

Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa	Su
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30

Latest news

Eesti Elu - 3 Madison Ave., Toronto, ON M5R 2S2 - Ajalehe Tellimine - Kuulutuste tellimine - Tel: 416-733-4550 - Fax: 416-733-0944 - e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Made by Worldbeholder & Confirmo

More Articles...

Read more: Latest stories

üksiknumbrid on müügil Torontos:

Upcoming events

Calendar of events

Latest news