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Estonian Foundation of Canada Donors Meet Sofi Oksanen – BIG PHOTO GALLERY!

Vasakult ESK abiesimees Mihkel Holmberg, ESK juhatuse liikmed Lia Hess ja Merli Tamtik, Rootisist Göran Lindblad, Sofi Oksanen, Tartu College'i esimees Jaan Meri, Anansi kirjastuse esindaja Emily Mockler, VEMU peaarhivaar Piret Noorhani, ESK juhatuse liige Marcus Kolga, ESK esimees Eva Varangu ja ESK laekur Toomas Kütti.  Foto: Taavi Tamtik

On March 26, 2015 Estonian Foundation of Canada's (EFC) major donors met international award-winning author and playwright Sofi Oksanen at an exclusive reception at Tartu College. The event was jointly hosted by the Estonian Foundation of Canada and the Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU) withTartu College.

Approximately 75 attendees mingled with the celebrated author, an acclaimed speaker on the subject of Soviet repression and human rights, as well as the current geopolitical situation in Europe.

VEMU's Piret Noorhani welcomed guests and spoke about the Soviet Union's mass deportation of Estonians to Siberia in March 1949. Candles were lit in memory of these innocent victims, as has become an annual tradition. Tartu College President Jaan Meri introduced Sofi Oksanen; Göran Lindblad, Chair of the EU Platform of European Memory and Conscience; Laura McSwiggan, Honorary Vice Consul of Finland; Jüri Kivimäe, Professor of History at the Chair of Estonian Studies, University of Toronto; and Laas Leivat, Estonian Honorary Consul General in Toronto.

ESK lahked annetajad saavad rinnamärgid ESK esimehelt. Vasakult annetajad Väino Einola, Maaja Matsoo, ESK esimees Eva Varangu, Keto Soosaar ja Mati Matsoo. Ees istuvad annetajad Maret Truuvert ja Raffi Moks. Foto: Taavi Tamtik
Eva Varangu, EFC President, acknowledged Sofi Oksanen as an example of how members of our diaspora community can generate significant international attention to Estonia's history and the need for our continued vigilance. Varangu stressed how important it is to ensure the heritage of our forefathers is maintained and flourishes here in Canada.

Noting that collaboration is a fundamental approach of the Foundation, Eva Varangu thanked Tartu College for co-hosting the event with EFC. She stressed that only through collaboration will our goals become more achievable, especially now when we are at a crossroads and need to strengthen our community through new and innovative solutions.

The EFC President thanked major EFC donors for their noteworthy financial generosity and continued commitment to the Foundation. The EFC organizes special recognition events for its major donors whose names are displayed on the EFC Donor Appreciation Wall at the Estonian House in Toronto.

The Estonian Foundation of Canada is the community's endowment and catalyst providing major funding to cultural projects and programming within Estonian-Canadian communities across Canada. The role of the Foundation is crucial, to ensure that our language is still spoken, our culture is still celebrated, our history is never forgotten, and our future in Canada remains secure.


PHOTO GALLERY – Photos by Taavi Tamtik (@TaaviTamtik)


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