Florida Estos

Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States and Mexico, and The Honorable Sten Schwede, Consul General of the Republic of Estonia in New York City, traveled to Florida’s west and east coasts on February 21, 2014 and February 24, 2014 to officially open two Honorary Consulates of the Republic of Estonia. Florida is the nation’s fourth most populous state—soon expected to be third—and a popular draw for education, cultural programs, tourism and business development. Florida’s large territory is now divided into two consular regions with St. Petersburg serving northern counties and Miami serving the south. Members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) and Estonian National Association of South Florida (Lõuna Florida Eestlaste Selts) participated in both ceremonies.

Lisa A. Mets, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in St. Petersburg, Florida, hosted the formal luncheon program in the President’s Dining Room at Eckerd College on February 21, 2014, attended by members of the Tampa Bay Consular Corps, Eckerd College Board of Trustees and the Pinellas County Commission; Eckerd College Deans, Vice Presidents and students; and the leadership of the Estonian Society of Central Florida and the Estonian National Association of South Florida. Ambassador Kaljurand officiated during the ceremony transmitting to Estonian Honorary Consul Mets the Letters Patent issued by Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Donald R. Eastman III, President of Eckerd College, Dr. Peter Betzer, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, Mr. Chris Steinocher, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Art Savage, Dean of the Tampa Bay Consular Corps, offered words of welcome and underscored the spirit of collaboration Estonia may expect in its relationship with Eckerd College, the Tampa Bay region, and north Florida counties, in the development of programs promoting educational and cultural exchange, tourism and business opportunities. The Honorary Consulate is located at Eckerd College, where Honorary Consul Mets is Vice President and Secretary of the College.

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Kaljurand participated in a seminar with Eckerd College students majoring in International Relations and Global Affairs and Political Science.

In the evening, the Ambassador, Consul General and members of the Estonian community attended the sold-out 1700-seat Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall performance of the Sarasota Orchestra under the baton of the orchestra’s new music director and conductor Ms. Anu Tali; a reception followed with Ms. Tali and her Estonian fans. The Estonian Society of Central Florida’s celebration of the 96th Anniversary of Estonian Independence in the Countryside Country Club (Clearwater, FL) on February 22, 2014, concluded the diplomats’ program on Florida’s west coast. (For more information, please see floridaestos.wordpress.com). Participation by Ambassador Kaljurand and Consul General Schwede in the Estonian National Association of South Florida’s celebration of the 96th Anniversary of Estonian Independence on February 23, 2014, in the Atlantis Country Club on the east coast launched Day 3 of the diplomats’ honorary consular activities in Florida.

Jorge L. Viera, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in Miami, Florida, hosted the official opening ceremony of the Estonian Honorary Consulate in Miami in an evening reception sponsored by BAC Florida Bank on February 24, 2014, in the BAC Florida Bank located in the Colonnade Building, Coral Gables. Mr. Burton Landy, Esq., of Akerman & Senterfitt and Honorary Consul of Korea, introduced the evening’s program and welcomed guests from the Miami Consular Corps, Past Presidents of the Florida International Bankers Association, officials of the City of Miami and the United States Department of State, distinguished members from the local business community, and the Directors of the Estonian National Association of South Florida. Three Estonian Honorary Consuls also attended the ceremony: Mr. Jaak Treiman, representing Southern California; Mrs. Irja Cilluffo, representing New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont; and Ms. Mets, representing the north Florida region.

The Honorable Tomas Regalado, Mayor of the City of Miami, presented the Key to the City of Miami to Ambassador Kaljurand. Commissioner Willy Gort, Chair of the Commission, presented a Proclamation to Consul General Sten Schwede declaring February 24, 2014 as Estonia’s Independence Day in The City of Miami. Ambassador Kaljurand officially transmitted the Letters Patent issued by Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to Honorary Consul Viera. The Estonian Honorary Consulate is located in downtown Miami. Prior to his recent retirement from Northern Trust Bank after more than 33 years, Mr. Viera served as Senior Vice President and Manager of the International Division. Presently, Estonian Honorary Consul Viera is a member of the Board of Directors of BAC Florida Bank.

Currently there are fourteen Estonian Honorary Consulates in the United States. In addition to providing services to Estonians in the United States according to the directives of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonian Honorary Consuls promote bilateral cultural, educational and economic relations through Estonian cultural events, educational exchange, tourism, and business development.

For more information about Estonia’s Consulate General and Honorary Consuls in the United States, please visit the web site of the Consulate General of the Republic of Estonia in New York City. For more information about Embassy activities, please visit the web site of the Estonian Embassy in Washington DC.

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Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States and Mexico, and The Honorable Sten Schwede, Consul General of the Republic of Estonia in New York City, celebrated the 96th Anniversary of Estonian Independence with 80 guests, members and friends of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts), at a special luncheon on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at the Countryside Country Club, 3001 Countryside Blvd., Clearwater, Florida.

The official luncheon program was rich in content. KFES President Tõnu Toomepuu welcomed guests and we began with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. Pastor Priit Rebane offered the invocation. Ms. Monika Orumaa Craig, member of the Estonian American National Council, read the Council’s greetings on the occasion of the 96th Anniversary of Estonian Independence. The Honorable Consul General Sten Schwede led us in a memorial tribute (Langenute Mälestamine) to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for Estonian independence. Ms. Triin Karr read the moving poem Sini Must Valge written by Aale Oengo Kingo. KFES President Toomepuu’s introduction of Ambassador Kaljurand was a tribute to an extraordinary diplomat. Ambassador Kaljurand’s keynote speech was spellbinding filled with Estonia’s impressive accomplishments and a call for our continuing support for Estonia’s everlasting independence; the audience listened with enormous pride and a renewed commitment to their Estonian heritage so far away from their homeland.

There was lots of fun during this special celebration. An Estonian Quiz was introduced this year, with 12 tables in competition. The Judges? The Ambassador and her husband and the Consul General. The outcome of the Quiz? 100% correct answers. We can expect no less of Estonians. The loterii led by Ms. Marju Cabrera, ably assisted by Logan and Annika Karr, and Kaie Põhi Latterner’s sing-along between speeches energized our spirits. The afternoon was made sweeter with a basket of candies, a gift from the Ambassador, offered to members by Annika Karr. Lisa Ann Mets, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in St. Petersburg, Florida, offered closing remarks. The program concluded with the beautiful Eesti Hümn.

Please visit the links on this website for upcoming meetings and events hosted by the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts).

For information about the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts, please contact:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja77@verizon.net
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net

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Kesk-Florida eestlaste igakuine kokkutulek toimus 2. veebruaril 2014.a. KFESi asepresident Kersti Linaski kodus. Jüri Toomepuu räägis meile pudrupäevast.

Maauskse maarahva kalendris on see 10227. aasta teine päev teisel kuul, mille nimeks meie esivanematele oli kas radokuu, helmekuu, tõine kuu, soesõidukuu, või küünlakuu. Rado tähendab võro keeli tuisku ja tormi, helmed tähendavad sädelevaid härmahelmeid, soesõidukuu sute, st huntide, jooksuaega.

Veebruar, nagu teame, on pärit Rooma kalendrist, kus see oli aasta viimane kuu februarius, pühendatud puhastuse jumalale Februale, ehk Februusile. Etruskidel oli Februus samuti puhastuse ja ka allmaailma jumal.

Nagu nende esivanemad, tähistasid ka Kesk-Florida eestlased radokuu teisel päeval pudrupäeva, mis oli meie esivanematele tähtsaim südatalvine püha. Saare- ja Läänemaal peeti seda jõulu viimaseks pühaks, Setomaal aga hoopis esimeseks suvepühaks. Maavallas, tänapäeva Eestis, hakkab pudrupäeval päike ennast juba tunda andma. Päev on pikem ning jaksab keskpäeval juba raasuke soojendada. Katuseräästasse ilmuvad aga toredad jääpurikad kui katusel lumi sulab ja vesi purikate otsas jälle jäätub. Vanarahvas ütles, et kõrred hakkavad pudrupäeval lund vihkama – nad sulatavad enda ümbert lume.

Talve süda on nüüd maarahva jaoks pooleks murtud. Talveunes karu keerab enda teisele küljele ja toit mis oli eelmisel suvel ja sügisel varutud on poole peale kahanenud.
Pudrupäevaga said alguse kevad-talvised naistepühad. Naised käisid külas ja kõrtsis, nende töö pidid ära tegema mehed. Ja kui pudrupäeval paistab päike, nagu see tavaliselt Floridas on, annab see tervist just naistele.

Lääne ja lõunapoolsetes kihelkondades jõi maarahvas naistepuna, milleks võis olla õlu, mõdu, või mistahes punane või punaseks värvitud jook. Taimejookidest on tuntud naistepuna taimest või vaarikavarrest tehtud tee. Puna ei joonud mitte ainult naised, vaid ka mehed — see annab jõudu, tervist, hea jume ja pidavat suvel isegi sääsed eemale peletama.
Õlu oli siiski maarahva pudrupäeva peamine jook. Selleks päevaks hoiti alles jõuluõlut või kui see oli lõppenud pruuliti uus kesvamärjuke. Pudrupäeval söödi muidugi tanguputru sealihaga. Läänepool valmistati pudrupäeva eelõhtul tavaliselt jõulutoitu.

Pudrupäeval peeti mõnel pool ka mokalaata, kus tehti kaupa järgmise aasta töö peale. See ei tähendanud vanasti üldse seda mida meie siin täna teeme kui me juttu ajame. Muistse maarahva mokalaadal sõlmiti hoopis töölepinguid, palgati sulaseid, karjapoisse, tüdrukuid. Halliste kihelkonnas öeldi: „Vanast olevet küündlepäe peret tellit, siis mint Kirju kõrtsi, peet mokalaata. Sinna lätsiv kõik Sõnniküla rahvas kokku.“

Kui Pudrupäeval paistab päike, nagu sai jälle õnneks Kesk-Florida maarahvale, pidavat see ennustama päikselist ja kuiva suve, samuti head rukkisaaki. Mõnel pool arvati, et kui pudrupäeva öösi kõvasti tuiskab, saab suvel palju pähkleid. Sel öösel pidi tuisuga kargama pähketäkk. Saaremaal teati, et pudrupäevane lumesadu toob hea kalasaagi.

Kesk-Florida maarahvale oli pudrupäev kena püha. See tõi palju toredaid rahvuskaaslasi ja estofiile lahke perenaise Kersti Linaski kaunisse kodusse — nautima ilusat pühapäeva meeldivas seltskonnas ja pidama mokalaata. Kersti tegi toreda ettekande, paljude valguspiltidega, oma Eesti külastusest, kus ta viibis „Fulbright Scholar“ programmi alusel Tartu Ülikoolis teaduslikku tööd tegemas.

Putru küll ei tehtud, aga kohalviibijad said kõik maitsta paljude andekate perenaiste poolt valmistatud maitsvaid suupisteid. Mees-šovinistide rõõmuks ilma, et mehed oleks pidanud naiste eest pudrupäeva töö ära tegema.

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More than 30 members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) gathered for their February luncheon meeting on Sunday, February 2, 2014, at 2:00 pm at the home of KFES Vice President Kersti Linask. All of us were invited to bring a potluck dish for our smorgasbord table, and the meal was wonderful! KFES Vice President Kersti Linask showed photos of her 2012-13 sabbatical in Estonia. Running from August through January, the photos instilled emotional responses among the members who fondly remembered their childhoods in Tartu and Tallinn. KFES member Jüri Toomepuu also offered a fascinating brief lecture on pudrupäeva; his remarks are posted in Estonian on this website. Thank you Kersti, Jüri and all for a special afternoon.

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For information about the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts, please contact:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja77@verizon.net
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net

Read Full Post »