Estonian Victory Day (Võidupüha) and St John's Day (Jaanipäev)
Estonian Victory Day (Võidupüha) and St John's Day (Jaanipäev) celebration Estonian Cultural Garden June 25, 2017
The Estonian Cultural Garden was dedicated June 19, 1966. Each year, the Estonian community and friends gather to celebrate Estonian Victory Day (Võidupüha) and St John's Day (Jaanipäev). This year, guests came from as far as Idaho and Estonia!
Toomas Tubalkain served as MC and led the singing of the US national anthem and then welcomed the crowd. He recognized some dignitaries in the crowd and representatives of Latvia and Lithuania. He then introduced Trina Pirn who spoke and sang a prayer.
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Toomas Tubalkain
Trina Pirn
Toomas told of Victory Day (Võidupüha), St John's Day (Jaanipäev) and the struggle that the Estonians went through to gain independence.
Next, Toomas Tubalkain introduced Lithuanian community leader Dr. Viktoras Stankus who, in his keynote address, told of the threats from Russia to the independence of the Baltics and others.
Dr. Viktoras Stankus
Then, Toomas Tubalkain introduced flutist Judith Elias who performed the Sonata in C Major by George Phillip Telemann.
Judith Elias
Next, Flutist Judith Elias performed the Badinerie from Suite in B Minor by Bach.
Ms. Elias then performed Morceau de Concours by Gabriel Faure.
Her final performance was of 3 Estonian Folk Songs arranged by Eileen Laurence including 'Spinning Song', I cannot be silent' and 'While walking on village green.'
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Estonian Cultural Garden president Erika Puussaar lost her voice so Teevi Champa spoke for her. She said it was time for a new generation of Estonians to step up and maintain the Garden and introduced some of the children who were committed. Toomas Tubalkain then thanked the committee and performers.
Erika Puussaar and Teevi Champa
Erika Puussaar and Teevi Champa with some of the youngsters
Toomas Tubalkain
MC Toomas Tubalkain sent the children off to the monument and then everyone sang the Estonian national anthem accompanied by Judith Elias on flute.
Paula Tubalkain and Judith Elias
Toomas Tubalkain leading the Estonian national anthem
They then posed for a group photo.
Enjoy these other images from the Estonian Garden event.
Raising the banner over the monument
US National Anthem
Paula Tubalkain and Judith Elias
Youngsters at the monument
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