Estonian Foundation of Canada
2024 Annual Meeting of Members
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“Eesti Sihtkapital Kanadas, Estonian Foundation of Canada, this year celebrates its 50th anniversary,” said Eva Varangu, President of Estonian Foundation of Canada, as she began her remarks at the recent EFC Annual Meeting of Members. “This really is a testament to our shared past, shared future, and our shared commitment to living and sharing our Estonian heritage.”
On May 14, 2024, at its 49th Annual Meeting of Members (AMM), President Eva Varangu welcomed members from across the country, including Vancouver, Alberta, Montreal, southern Ontario as well as a number of EFC scholarship recipients, special guests and representatives of organizations who receive EFC funding. The meeting of members took place at Tartu College and online via Zoom.
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Varangu reminded that this year, as Estonian Canadians, we also commemorate 80 years since the Great Escape of 1944. The way we all ended up in Canada may vary, but what happened 80 years ago is one of the reasons EFC’s founding directors formed this charity in 1974. At the time, the Soviet government was demanding funds from those who fled Estonia be “returned” even as they illegally occupied Estonia. A registered charity provided a trusted, safe place to donate this community’s estates and other monies. EFC would be a financial support to the Estonian community across Canada.
Today, EFC is still a trusted charity. Since inception, more than 8 million dollars of much needed financial support has been disbursed to organizations across the country. Moreover, Russia continues to be the aggressor, with its war in Ukraine, including the real threat to its neighbours. This, said Varangu, only highlights the importance and relevance of our institutions outside Estonia, why we must remain vigilant, and that we should not become complacent about democracy.
The President shared that in 2023, EFC received requests for funding and provided financial support to close to 30 programs and events including children’s summer camps, language instruction, folk dance groups, choirs, festivals, art exhibitions and new initiatives across Canada. EFC also continued to offer scholarships to Estonian Canadians to help reduce the financial burden of post-secondary education and sponsored activities in support of elderly Estonians. By supporting places and activities where we can connect with each other, EFC is helping to ensure that everyone, including our children and our non-Estonian friends, know about Estonia, our history, culture, and why we remain vigilant.
Photo: EFC 2024-2025 Board of Directors. Back: Lia Hess, Maret Liik, Peter Vilde, Mihkel Kütti, Peeter Põldre.
Front: Kaili Sermat-Harding, Eva Varangu, Raul Sinimäe, Maris-Ann Vanaselja.
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EFC launches 50th Anniversary
"Shared Future" Fundraising Campaign!
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To ensure our community’s next 50 years in Canada,
EFC is asking Estonian Canadians and friends to
please consider giving to the "Shared Future" fundraising campaign.
No matter your age and stage in life, and no matter the amount,
all donors and donations are appreciated!
Our shared future is in our hands!
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EFC SUPPORTS LANGUAGE & EDUCATION |
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EFC congratulates 2024 students and graduates! |
EFC is pleased to be a MAJOR FUNDER of many Estonian language programs across the country, such as Toronto Estonian Kindergarten, Alberta Estonian Heritage Society Language Courses, Hamilton Estonian School, and more.
As many schools celebrate the end of another successful year, EFC congratulates students and graduates.
Thank you to all teachers, administrators and students for helping to keep Estonian language and education alive in Canada!
Photo: Toronto Estonian Kindergarten Graduating Class of 2024
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EFC Estonian Language Studies Awards program expanded! |
EFC has provided Estonian Language Studies Awards to nominated elementary and secondary-level students and graduates of Toronto Estonian School for decades.
These awards are given to celebrate recipients' exemplary effort, achievement, and character.
EFC is beginning to expand the program. This year, EFC introduced the awards at Hamilton Estonian School as the next step.
Elagu eesti keele haridus Kanadas!
First Photo: Three Toronto Estonian School award recipients
Second Photo: Three Hamilton Estonian School award recipients
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EFC Scholarships Application deadline is June 1, 2024. |
As part of our mission to ensure an Estonian future in Canada, EFC supports Estonian Canadian post-secondary students. By reducing the financial burden of post-secondary education, EFC hopes to encourage and enable youth in our community to stay connected to their Estonian organizations, community and heritage.
Estonian Foundation of Canada offers 3 Scholarship opportunities for students of Estonian Canadian heritage who are pursuing post-secondary studies.
Photo: Three 2023 EFC Scholarships Recipients with EFC President, Eva Varangu
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EFC SUPPORTS CULTURE & HERITAGE |
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EFC is pleased to be MAJOR FUNDER of
Seedrioru Suvihari & Laulupäev 2024!
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It has become a tradition that every year before a song festival in Tallinn, Seedrioru holds a Laulupäev during the annual Suvihari festival.
This event will have food and camping available on-site.
Bring cash for the market and silent auction.
Come for the long weekend, for Suvihari, for Laulupäev...
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Saturday, June 29: SUVIHARI
- Volleyball and chess tournaments
- Swimming
- Lighting of the Victory Flame
- Outdoor concert with two elite choirs from Estonia
- Dinner included
- HUGE "Jaanituli" bonfire: entertainment, our guest Estonians from Tartu
- A night dance with Kaja Reloaded
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Sunday, June 30: LAULUPÄEV
- Dress rehearsal for the choirs
- Lunch for all
- Parade of choirs
- Lighting of the Song Festival flame
- Concert featuring over 250 singers from Canada, USA & Estonia under a huge tent
- And an evening dance
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Casting Call for Young Estonians! |
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Forte Entertainment has asked EFC to spread the word about their casting call.
HOW I GOT HERE is a series where North-American-born Gen Z’s embark on an adventure of a lifetime as they travel with a parent back to their country of origin. They immerse themselves in special customs, local activities and reunite with important people from their family's past on an all-expenses-paid trip.
Estonian North Americans, aged 18-25, who have a parent who was born in Estonia may apply at: www.fortecasting.com.
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2024
June 7 - 9 Jõekääru Alumni Camp - info
June 7 - 9 Jaanipäev ja Spordipäev/ Midsummer Solstice Celebration and Sports Day at the Long Island Estonian House (20 Middle Island Blvd, Middle Island, NY 11953, USA) - info
June 27 Tartu Rahvaülikooli Segakoor (Tartu Folk Post Secondary Mixed Choir) Concert at St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto
(817 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto) - info
June 29 - July 1 Seedrioru Suvihari and Laulupäev 2024 - info and contact
June 29 - July 27 Jõekääru Summer Camp - info
July 7 - August 3 Seedrioru Summer Camp - info
July 6 - 20 Suvekodu 2024. Summer camp at Long Island Estonian House (20 Middle Island Blvd, Middle Island, NY 11953, USA) - info
July 31 - August 4 Kotkajärve Metsaülikool/Forest University, Heimtali, Estonia. Registration deadline is July 16 - info & registration
August 2 - 4 Lakewood Estonian Games 70th Anniversary - info
September 13 - 15 "Nou Pois Äläud III" Tantsulaager/Folk Dance Camp - info
December 14 EFC's Rahvajõulupuu / An Estonian Christmas 2024, Latvian Centre, 4 Credit Union Dr, Toronto, ON
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EFC office at Tartu College:
3 Madison Avenue, Unit G2 Toronto, Ontario M5R 2S2
Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm
416-465-5600 info@estonianfoundation.ca www.estonianfoundation.ca
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