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Written by Estonian Life No. 39 2021

Published: 01 October 2021

From the chaos and uncertainty of 1944 to a little piece of heaven in the sky thanks to generous Kalevipoja Laud donation

Little did Ats and Ella Altosaar know when they carried their year-old son Tõnu in their arms to safety in Sweden in an overloaded boat as bombs exploded in Tallinn in 1944, that their spirit would live on and help ensure a bright future and vibrant gathering place for the Estonian community in Canada.

Just a few months later, Victor Kõresaar was desperately looking for his beloved Maimu at the German refugee camp known as Geislingen, determined to find her in the aftermath of the exodus from Estonia and their violently interrupted courtship. He located Maimu at the camp where many Estonians sought refuge after the Soviet invasion of their country, they married right then and there, and daughter Anne was born in Geislingen a few years later.

Read more: KESKUS Project Update (#113)...

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Written by Estonian Life No. 37 2021

Published: 17 September 2021

Supporters of Baltimore Estonian House in 1965 after initial remodeling. Peeter Saar, current Chair of BEH, is second to last row in white shirt on the right.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable things about the fundraising that has been done for KESKUS so far, is that it isn’t just Torontonians or even Canadians who have felt called to support the building of the new International Estonian Centre, but people from all over the globe. Donations have come from near and far, building a sense of community that transcends where we are geographically in the world.

One of the more poignant donations to KESKUS comes from the Estonian community in Baltimore, Maryland. They are the most recent Kalevipoja Laud level donors, contributing US$100,000 from the proceeds of sale of their own Estonian House.

Read more: KESKUS Project Update #112 -...

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Written by Eesti Elu Nr. 36 2021

Published: 10 September 2021

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Jätkame tutvustavaid lugusid meie suurepärastest vabatahtlikest, kelle abivalmidus, teadmised, kogemused ning energia aitavad uuel KESKUSel tõelisuseks saada

Saage tuttavaks disaineri Virve Aljas-Switzeriga, kes nõustab KESKUSe projektitiimi disainiga seotud küsimustes ning aitab kujundada KESKUSe turundusmaterjale. Virve tõstab esile KESKUSe kaasaegset ja modernset välimust, mis iseloomustab Eesti kogukonna olemust üle maailma.

Virve on staažikas trüki- ja digimeedia disainer, tal on laialdased töökogemused varasematest projektidest haridusvaldkonnas, rahanduses ja logistikasektoris. Virve on lõpetanud Halifaxi Nova Scotia kunsti- ja disainikolledži ning on Toronto East York Pressi lasteraamatute kirjastusettevõtte üks autoritest ja kaasasutaja.

Read more: Projekti KESKUS Teade #110...

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Written by Estonian Life No. 35 2021

Published: 03 September 2021

KESKUS Jänes-Koppel Grand Hall

With people spending the overwhelming majority of time indoors, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has a direct impact on health, comfort, and work productivity. The COVID pandemic has brought the health aspects of heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems (HVAC) into particular focus as these building systems play a central role in IEQ.

The design of KESKUS takes this into account, all the more given the emphasis of KESKUS on being a place where we intend to gather in comfort and security. With the KESKUS build being undertaken during the pandemic, proper systems are part of the design. Indeed, the design best practices are part of KESKUS core recommendations, including those for reducing airborne infectious aerosol exposure.

David Kalm, KESKUS Development Manager and Alar Kongats, architect of KESKUS, are working closely with mechanical engineering firm Smith + Andersen to follow ASHRAE design standards and epidemic guidelines, and to support sustainable maintenance of HVAC systems once KESKUS is operational. ASHRAE is the international organization that advances the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration with over 50,000 members from over 132 nations.

David notes that, “HVAC is an area close to my heart, having focussed on this specialty area for the first 13 years as a professional engineer. The mechanical engineering firm Smith + Andersen is a trusted Canadian consulting engineering firm with the experience needed to design these systems in KESKUS.”

Peter Kastelic continues as the lead Smith + Andersen consultant for the KESKUS project, read more about his involvement here: https://ccce880b-bc51-45f2-b1d2-47fcc58dbda7.filesusr.com/ugd/60d9b8_ad088b36905740f6909a5cbc68c7befa.pdf

Detailed guidance issued by ASHRAE’s Epidemic Task Force is based on the concept that ventilation, filtration and air cleaners can be deployed flexibly to achieve a reduction in exposure. In addition to public health guidance, the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force’s recommendations set “targets for equivalent clean air supply rate and expressing the performance of filters, air cleaners, and other removal mechanisms in these terms.”

“Adherence to applicable elements of the ASHRAE guidance has been confirmed,” notes David Kalm. “We wanted to be sure that the systems include high-efficiency air filtration and promote air mixing that provides a comfortable indoor environment. From the beginning, the goal for KESKUS has been to create a place where we can gather and know that the latest safety guidance has been considered in the design.”

Give your support!

The donor categories of the KESKUS capital campaign are: Kalevipoja Laud for donations over $100,000 (including the right to name different parts of the building), Viru Vanemad for donations over $10,000 and Kungla Rahvas, gifts up to $10,000 which can be made through the KESKUS website.

For Kalevipoja Laud and Viru Vanemad donations, securities donations or to contribute a donation over 3-5 years, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +(1) 647-250-7136.

Donations can be made by a group, or in honour of a particular individual or family. All donations made in Canada, Estonia and the US are issued an official tax receipt. More information is available on the KESKUS Capital Campaign page.

Let's stay connected...

• Facebook: Estonian Centre (@EestiKeskus) 
• Instagram @keskus.iec
• Twitter @keskus
• Eesti Elu: Look for our articles in the Eesti Elu print edition, as well as on www.eestielu.ca. All articles are also available on our website www.estoniancentre.ca.
• Sign-up for the email newsletter on www.estoniancentre.ca (bottom of our home page). 

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Written by Estonian Life No. 34 2021

Published: 27 August 2021

In this Volunteer Spotlight series, KESKUS features members of the community who donate their time and expertise to the project.

Virve Aljas-Switzer is volunteering her expert graphic design skills to the KESKUS International Estonian Centre project to create its visual communications.

A trained graphic designer, Virve is helping KESKUS reflect a modern, sophisticated look in its communications that resonates with the global Estonian community. She is advising the KESKUS project team on design-related initiatives and helping craft KESKUS fundraising and marketing materials.

Read more: KESKUS Project Update -...

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Written by Eesti Elu Nr. 33 2021

Published: 20 August 2021

Arvamusfestivalil: Keiu Telve, Kristjan Erik Liive, Ellen Valter, Tuuli-Emily Liivak, Marin Mõttus, Keit Spiegel
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Paides toimuvat Arvamusfestivali peeti sel aastal juba üheksandat korda, seekord siis 13.-14. augustil. KESKUS International Estonian Centre’i üks eestvedajatest, Ellen Valter, osales arutelualal ,,Meie Riik“, kus teemaks sai valitud ,,Eesti on Eestist palju suurem“.

Ellen märkis: ,,Arvamusfestival on hariv ja intensiivne üritus, kus oli rõõm nii kaasa rääkida kui ka teisi kuulamas käia. Kokku on püsti pandud kuusteist lava, millest igaüks oma kujundiga. Kaks päeva järjest iga kahe tunni tagant algab igal laval uus arutelu uute n.ö. arvajatega.“

Osalejad ja kuulajad üleilmselt

,,Eesti on Eestist palju suurem“ teema algatajateks olid Ellen Valter KESKUSest ja üleilmse eestluse nõunik Keit Spiegel Eesti Välisministeeriumist. Aurtelu keskendus just hajala eestlaste mõistele ja selle muutliku kogukonna muredele ja võimalustele.

Keiu Telve, Vabamu Muuseumi tegevjuht modereeris ning panelistideks olid Tuuli-Emily Liivak, Ülemaailmsete Eesti Noorte Võrgustiku algataja; Kristjan Erik Liive, üliõpilane ja endine Edinburghi Eesti Seltsi juht; Marin Mõttus, Välisministeeriumis üleilmse eestluse erivolitustega diplomaatiline esindaja; ja Ellen Valter.

Ekraanil jagati videotervitusi eestlastelt Siberis, Abhaasias ja Uus-Meremaal, mis oli kinnituseks kui kaugele ulatuvad Eesti käed läbi oma inimeste.

,,Poolteist tundi aruteluaega möödus välkkiirelt,“ leidis Ellen. ,,Kuulama tuli eestlasi nii koha pealt kui ka Suurbrittaniast, USAst, Kanadast ja live’is jälgiti arutelu paljudest erinevatest paikadest.“

Eesti ja eestlus on sümbioos

Arutelu käigus tuli muuhulgas esile:

• kestev vajadus isiklikeks kohtumisteks, üleilmse võrgustiku pidevaks uuendamiseks ja tugevdamiseks, kuna inimesed ja nende asukohad vahetuvad,
• eestlaste organisatsioonidel on oma elutsükkel ja nende loomine, uuendamine ja vahel ka lõpetamine on loomulik, et ajaga ja vajadustega kaasas käia,
• kuidas eestlane hajalas edendab ja kaitseb Eesti huve ja teiste eestlaste kogukondade, üksikeestlaste huve ja eneseteostamist,
• kuidas saab Eesti riik omalt poolt toetada eestlust üleilmselt, nii idapool kui läänes, ja kuidas toetada eestlaste, nende elukaaslaste, sõprade, ja estofiilide tegevust säilitamaks sidusust nii omavahel kui ka Eestiga.

Arvamusfestivali arutelu alasid on 16, kus tõstatatud teemad vahelduvad infomanipulatsioonist, vaimse tervise, hariduse, rohekoostöö, digitarkuseni välja. Lisaks aruteludele korraldatakse kultuuriprogramm näituste, kontserdite ja erinevate tegevustega, k.a. lastele.

Ellen nimetab: ,,Südantsoojendav oli mulle isiklikult ka see, et Arvamusfestivalile tulevad paljud minule tuttavad inimesed kokku ja nii leidis aset toredaid juhuslikke kohtumisi, millest koorus välja mitmeid uusi tutvusi. KESKUSest ja selle arengust sain vähem formaalsemalt rääkida, mis omakorda tekitas uusi ideid, lahendusi ja päevateemasse minnes: arvamusi!“

,,Eesti on Eestist suurem“ vestlust saab vaadata järelvaatamise kaudu Eesti Välisministeeriumi Facebook’I lehel. Ajaleht ,,Postimees“ avaldas KESKUSe arengut kajastava artikli 13. augustil.

Osale ja aita toetada meie ühist tulevikku!

KESKUS kapitalikampaania annetajakategooriad on Kalevipoja Laud üle 100 000 dollari suuruste toetuste jaoks (kaasa arvatud erinevatele hoone osadele nimepanemise õigus), Viru Vanemad üle 10 000 dollari suuruste toetuste jaoks ja Kungla Rahvas toetused, mis on kuni 10 000 dollarit. Hoidke end kursis Kungla Rahvas annetuskampaania peatse alustamisega.

Toetuste tegemiseks kirjutage aadressile: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Annetused võivad olla tehtud pere nimel, või austades mõnda isikut või peret. Kõigi annetuste puhul, mis on tehtud Kanadas või USAs, antakse välja tulumaksu kviitung.

Siit leiab teavet projekti kohta:

• Külasta meie veebilehte - seda uuendatakse regulaarselt: www.estoniancentre.ca
• Kui sa pole seda veel teinud, siis palun registreeru uudiskirja saajaks
• Jälgi meid Facebookis: @EestiKeskus
• Instagramis @keskus.iec
• Twitteris @keskus

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Written by Eesti Elu Nr. 32 2021

Published: 13 August 2021

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Kõigest 72 lühikest aastat Halifaxi kailt kuni miljoni dollarilise annetuseni KESKUSe heaks.

1950.aastate keskel juhtis Lembit Jänes seenior väikeses Newfoundlandi sadamas kalatöötlemistehast, kus elektri asemel oli kasutusel diiselmootoriga generaator. Kui seadmetega midagi juhtus, polnud olemas käepärast nimekirja spetsialistidest, kellega nõu pidada või keda kohale kutsuda. Tuli oma jõududega hakkama saada. ,,Tee ise ära“ suhtumine oli enamasti see, millest lähtuti.

Tema poeg Lembit juunior usub, et isasse sissejuurdunud arusaam, kuidas pole olemas midagi, millega ise toime ei tuleks ja tema tähelepanuväärse mehaanikaalased teadmised olid ajendiks, mis viisid nelja vabrikuga külmutatud toitude suurettevõtteni, mille peakontor asub Torontos ning mis tarnib tooteid üle kogu Põhja-Ameerika.

Read more: Projekti KESKUS Teade #106...

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Written by Estonian Life No. 30 2021

Published: 06 August 2021

On July 28th 2021, KESKUS held an interactive community engagement session for all stakeholders. The hour-long virtual session addressed construction status, logistics updates for the move, capital campaign updates, and design features.

The video recording of the session is available on the KESKUS YouTube channel, and here are top 5 takeaways from the July 28 event:

1. Weekly activities at KESKUS, Tenants & Future Events Business

Veiko Parming, President of Toronto Estonian House, gave an update on move logistics from the Estonian House to KESKUS and confirmed that activities in Estonian House on Broadview for the 2021-2022 activity year will be unchanged from prior years (COVID restrictions notwithstanding).

Veiko then addressed the KESKUS business model. The Estonian community and its regular activities remains the lifeblood of the Centre. Affordability for community groups to use space at KESKUS is a top priority. Further, space in KESKUS will be scheduled with an Estonia-first model meaning that priority will be given to Estonian community groups for regular activities.

Commercial tenants and event rentals are expected to pay market rate at KESKUS, which will provide KESKUS with stable revenue and allows community groups to use KESKUS at an affordable/nominal rate.

Once construction is underway, another round of consultation with community groups individually will be undertaken to firm up space, scheduling and storage needs.

2. One-Move Option for Tenants and Community Groups

KESKUS Development Manager David Kalm reported that the project is construction-ready. Critical trades have been awarded and, after some delays exacerbated by COVID, the building permit process is nearly complete. Construction is slated to begin August 2021 and preconstruction is underway, with perimeter fencing now up, and site preparation over the coming weeks.

When Estonian House was sold, a 21-month lease back agreement was entered into so that the community and tenants at the Estonian House would not have to move twice. This leaseback agreement ends at the end of May 2022, and an extension of this would maintain the one-move plan. The KESKUS project is working with the new owner of the Estonian House as the owner’s plans have been subject to delays just like the Madison side of the equation. It may be that the one-move option continues to be possible despite the Madison construction delays. Better information about the final move-out date will be better known later this year.

3. Successful launch of Tere, KESKUS

Liisa Käärid, Board Chair of Estonian Arts Centre, the charity associated with KESKUS, provided an update on the Tere, KESKUS campaign held in June.

The global response to the three-day Tere, KESKUS virtual event exceeded all expectations. The event drew interest from around the globe and more than $2.8 million was donated in support of this visionary project!

From small children sending in their tooth fairy money, to multi-generational families giving large donations, KESKUS is truly appreciative of every donation.

The KESKUS capital campaign has been supported by hundreds of generous individuals whose names (unless donated anonymously) will be published in the fall. If you wish to donate, there is still time! Please visit the KESKUS capital campaign webpage, or contact Donations Manager Taimi Hooper. Please encourage your social networks to also donate!

4. New Possibilities For a New Era

Veiko Parming pointed out that at KESKUS, there is an opportunity to create completely new events and to collaborate like never before.

State-of-the-art technology, a prime location and a bold modern design will create an attractive space for new events and festivals. KESKUS will host pop-ups and design shops, facilitate collaborations with other Estonian organizations as well as with non-Estonian cultural groups or cultural organisations in the City. Of course, it goes without saying that synergies with individuals and groups from Eesti and other Estonian diaspora communities will be encouraged.

5. New Design Features – Send in Your Ideas!

As the architectural drawings for KESKUS move from structural to interior finishes, this is the time for our community to contribute design ideas for consideration. Have an idea that reflects the Centre’s modern, Nordic aesthetic? Please submit any neat interior design ideas you come across! Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Let's stay connected...

• Facebook: Estonian Centre (@EestiKeskus) 
• Instagram @keskus.iec
• Twitter @keskus
• Eesti Elu: Look for our articles in the Eesti Elu print edition, as well as on www.eestielu.ca. All articles are also available on our website www.estoniancentre.ca.
• Sign-up for the email newsletter on www.estoniancentre.ca (bottom of our home page). 

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Written by Estonian Life No. 30 2021

Published: 30 July 2021

Just 72 short years from Halifax Pier 21 to the $1 million donation to KESKUS Grand Hall

When Lembit Jänes Sr. managed a fish processing plant in a small Newfoundland outport in the mid-1950s with no electricity, just a diesel-powered generator, and something went wrong with the equipment, there was no handy list of nearby professionals to consult for help. It was “do-it-yourself” more often than not.

His son Lembit Jr. believes his father’s can-do attitude and his remarkable mechanical aptitude was the linchpin that led to the eventual creation of a frozen food empire with four manufacturing locations, based in Toronto, that shipped products across North America.

Read more: KESKUS Project Update (#106)...

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Written by Eesti Elu Nr. 29 2021

Published: 23 July 2021

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Eesti vaim ja sihikindlus innustavad KESKUSt entusiastlikult toetama
Pikaajaline armastus loomade vastu ja tugev ettevõtlusvaim ajendasid Erik ja Sandra Küttist rakendada oma visiooni edukaks ettevõtmiseks.

Nüüd saavad nad oma $100,000 annetusega Kalevipoja Laud tasemel KESKUS International Estonian Centre’i rahastamiskampaaniale aidata veel ühe visiooni täideviimisega: kindlustada kaasaegne majakas eestlusele ka järgmisele põlvkonnale.

,,Oleme uhked ja põnevil, et saame selles kampaanias osaleda,“ ütles Erik. ,,See on kindel edasiviiv tee, et tagada meie tulevase põlvkonna jätkusuutlik tulevik.“

Read more: Projekti KESKUS Teade #105...