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Kirjutas Eesti Elu Nr. 5 2022

Avaldatud: 04 Veebruar 2022

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Plaani järgi peaks KESKUSe ehitustöödega algatama 24. veebruariks 2022, mis on eestlastele üle ilma vägagi tähelepanuväärne kuupäev - Eesti 104. vabariigi aastapäev. Kõik load Toronto kesklinna rajatava KESKUS International Estonian Centre ehitamiseks on olemas.

Eesti suursaadik Kanadas Toomas Lukk on selle märgilise ettevõtmise arengut tähelepanelikult jälginud ja nimetab KESKUSt ,,eestlaste sajandiprojektiks“.

Projekti KESKUS juht Ellen Valter lisab: „Eestit nähakse väikese riigina, mis on võimeline suuri ideid teostama, sama kehtib ka hajala eestlaste kohta; KESKUS toob ellu visiooni mastaapsest ja kaasaegsest Eesti kultuurikeskusest Põhja-Ameerikas.“

Loe edasi: Projekti KESKUS Teade #123...

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Kirjutas Estonian Life No. 4 2022

Avaldatud: 28 Jaanuar 2022

The Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) actively and closely tracks all development in Toronto’s Annex area and this includes the KESKUS site at 9 Madison Avenue.

The ARA has been following the KESKUS International Estonian Centre project since inception: it spearheaded community meetings and included the ward’s City of Toronto Councillor (first Councillor Joe Cressy and now Councillor Mike Layton), to fully understand the project and its impact on the neighbourhood.

Loe edasi: KESKUS Project Update (#122)...

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Kirjutas Estonian Life No. 3 2022

Avaldatud: 21 Jaanuar 2022

Peter Ojala, Katriina Niitsoo, Hans Kukk

Three new board members, each with deep experience in their respective fields, have been appointed to the International Estonian Centre Inc. (IECI) board.

“The KESKUS project is delighted to welcome these new members to the IECI board,” said KESKUS Project Lead, Ellen Valter. “We are extremely grateful to be able to tap into the deep well of knowledge and expertise these individuals bring to the table."

IECI Board Chair Heili Toome agrees, saying, "We are on the threshold of creating a truly remarkable space for the Estonian community in North America and around the world, and our now nine valued board members will help us get there!” Read more about the other IECI board members here.

Retiring from the IECI board is Bob Spokowski, B. Eng., M. Eng., a 40-year veteran of the construction industry and former structural engineer and project manager with PCL Construction. All on the IECI board thank Bob for his energy and commitment to the project, and for his valuable insight as a board member.

Loe edasi: KESKUS Project Update (#121)...

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Kirjutas Eesti Elu Nr. 1 2022

Avaldatud: 07 Jaanuar 2022

Tiina and Agu matkamas Kotkajärvel, Ontarios KESKUS Logo

Investeerimine eesti kogukonna tulevikku on selle heitumatu abielupaari elutöö tipphetk

Kui küsida Tiina ja Agu Etsilt, milline on olnud nende elutöö, on vastus lihtne: hoida ja toetada eesti kogukonda.

Agu ja Tiina on seda pühendumust väljendanud Viru Vanem toetajateks hakates. Auhinnatud arhitekti Alar Kongatsi projekteeritud suurejooneline kaasaegne hoone, kus asub KESKUS International Estonian Centre, on tulevikus ühiseks paigaks eestlastele üle ilma.

,,KESKUS peidab endas uut algust ja kogukonna elavdamist,“ ütles Agu. ,,See on maailmatasemel rajatis, mille üle võime kõik uhked olla.“

Loe edasi: Projekti KESKUS Teade #119...

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Kirjutas Estonian Life No. 51/52 2021

Avaldatud: 23 Detsember 2021

As 2021 draws to a close, we reflect on a remarkable year filled with community-building, progress, challenges and excitement. Despite construction-related hurdles posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, spirits are strong and momentum continues to build for the KESKUS project.

Over the past 12 months, KESKUS has achieved much, startiing with developing its KESKUS International Estonian Centre name, through to gaining new board members, fundraising campaign ambassadors, hundreds of new donors from around the world, and hundreds of new followers on social media and subscribers to the monthly newsletter.

Loe edasi: KESKUS Project Update (#120)...

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Kirjutas Estonian Life No. 50 2021

Avaldatud: 17 Detsember 2021

Culmination of life’s work for this intrepid couple is investing in the future of the Estonian community

If you ask Tiina and Agu Ets what their life’s work has been, the answer is simple: to cherish and support the Estonian community.

Agu and Tiina have furthered their strong commitment by becoming Viru Vanem donors to the KESKUS International Estonian Centre, currently in development in downtown Toronto. Designed by award-winning architect Alar Kongats, this spectacular modern building will be a vibrant global hub for all Estonians.

“This centre is a new start, and a rejuvenation of the community,” Agu said. “It will be a world class facility of which we can all be proud.”

Loe edasi: KESKUS Project Update (#119)...

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Kirjutas Eesti Elu Nr. 49 2021

Avaldatud: 10 Detsember 2021

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Teistkordne Viru Vanem annetus, et aidata eestlastel oma pärandit hoida ja jagada

Selleks ajaks, kui Merike Kalm oli 12-aastane ning äsja Eestist Soome ja Rootsi kaudu Kanadasse jõudnud, oli ta oma elu jooksul kogenud enamat kui suurem osa inimestest terve elu jooksul.

Merike on Viru Vanem tasemel annetaja Toronto kesklinnas arendusjärgus oleva International Estonian Centre KESKUS heaks. Annetus on tehtud perekondade Himel, Kalm ja Roos nimel.

See on Merikese teine Viru Vanem annetus; esimese tegi ta oma tädi Eva Kalmu mälestuseks.

Loe edasi: Projekti KESKUS Teade #118...

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Kirjutas Eesti Elu Nr. 47 2021

Avaldatud: 03 Detsember 2021

Viru Vanem supporters of KESKUS: Margus Aruja & Susan Chapman
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Eesti kogukonna tulevikul pole piire õhus ega vees

Mereväe lenduri ja õhuruumieksperdina on KESKUSe annetaja Margus Aruja elust suur osa olnud seotud lennundustegevustega.

Kuid on veel üks Marguse jaoks väga oluline teema, mis tema arvates ei saa pikemalt õhku hõljuma jääda ja see on vajadus KESKUS International Estonian Centre’i järele.

Ottawas elav „Viru Vanem“ tasemel annetaja Margus selgitab, miks ta otsustas toetada uut KESKUSt Torontos:

,,KESKUSe ehitamine loob raamistiku eestlusele – eestlasi on igas maailma nurgas ja see aitab koos hoida meie diasporaad,“ sõnas ta. ,,Kui pandeemia on meile midagi õpetanud, siis seda, et füüsiline ruum meie elus on väga oluline ja samuti vajadus üksteisega kokku saada.“

Loe edasi: Projekti KESKUS Teade #116...

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Kirjutas Estonian Life No. 48 2021

Avaldatud: 03 Detsember 2021

Second Viru Vanem donation to help Estonians connect and reflect on their heritage

By the time Merike Kalm was 12 years old and a newly arrived immigrant to Canada from Estonia by way of Finland and Sweden, she had already experienced more than most will in a lifetime.

Merike is a Viru Vanem level donor to KESKUS International Estonian Centre under development now in downtown Toronto. The donation is in honour of the Himel, Kalm and Roos families.

This is Merike’s second Viru Vanem donation; she made the first in memory of her aunt, Eva Kalm.

Journey from Estonia

Merike’s precarious journey began in 1943. At the age four, she, along with her parents Georg and Maimo Kalm and two year-old brother Mihkel, escaped the invading Soviet troops from her home town of Tallinn by fishing boat.

“There were 100 souls on that boat, with the women and children in the hold below,” she recalls.

The family’s first stop was at a displaced persons’ (DP) camp in Helsinki. Afterwards, they settled into a rented farmhouse in the countryside while Georg served in the Finnish army.

Their next move was to Sweden, and yet another DP camp. A fortunate circumstance enabled them to obtain permission to purchase land and build a home, not usually granted to immigrants at that time. This was due to Georg’s father’s link to Russian nobility; he served in the Russian army in 1904 (Estonia was under Russian rule at the time) and rose to become an aide to Czar Nicholas.

Georg built the family’s home in Roslags Näsby, a municipality north of Stockholm, an accomplishment he would repeat when they emigrated to Canada – their next, and final, move.

Early days in Canada

The family arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax in 1950, the gateway to Canada through which a total of 1.5 million immigrants passed between 1928 and 1971 in their search for a safe and permanent home.

Shortly after their arrival, Merike entered school.

“I didn’t know any English, so I was put into Grade One, but I progressed through the grades quickly.”

Georg in his industrious fashion, built the family a home in Mississauga, where they settled into a more permanent life. Merike by this time had lived in four countries and six different “homes.”

Move to KESKUS nurtures strong future

It is this early displacement that fuels Merike’s desire to help the Estonian community nurture a strong future. That, and her late husband Jaan Roos’ dedication to supporting the transition from the former Estonian House to the new KESKUS.

Merike Kalm & Dr. Jaan Roos “My motivation is how much my husband Jaan believed in KESKUS,” Merike said. “He knew the old Estonian house on Broadview had outlived its capability to serve the community. KESKUS has a whole new energy.”

Merike didn’t have a lot of connection to the Estonian community while growing up. “I knew I was Estonian, but it wasn’t until I met Jaan that I really became a part of the community. It has added such a positive dimension to my life.”

Her family is firmly behind the decision to support KESKUS.

“My children are keenly interested in their Estonian heritage,” she said. “This new centre will give all people with Estonian roots the opportunity to connect and learn about where they come from.”

Merike and her first husband Dr. Calvin Himel have four children: Jeffrey, Susan, David and Leigh.

She has three step-children with her late husband Dr. Jaan Olav Roos: Jamie, Martin and Richard. Jaan, who was a shareholder in the Toronto Estonian House, a member of the Estonian Students’ Society (Eesti Üliõpilaste Selts) and the Estonian Folk Music Ensemble (Eesti Rahvapillide Orkester), died August, 2021.

Jaan was a respirology specialist whose passion was competitive sports including running, cross-country skiing and race-walking. He and Merike shared a love of race-walking and met at the Central YMCA in Toronto while practicing their sport.

Connection to Estonia continues

Kalm, Himel, Roos families Merike plans to take an extended trip to Estonia with her children and grandchildren next summer. This is not her first trip. One of her most interesting trips was in 1993 when she worked in President Lennart Meri’s office as an administrative consultant as part of the Canadian Executive Service Organization.

“It was a very interesting time to work there and contribute to Estonia’s evolution,” she recalls. “There were constant changes as they set up new systems and practices.”

Her goal in visiting now is more personal: “I want to say goodbye to my family members,” she said.

For Merike, the journey to life in Canada was often tumultuous but her “eestlus” has remained intact. With this donation, Merike hopes to help other Estonians connect with their heritage.

“As an immigrant, you always know you are the ‘other,’” she said. “KESKUS will help every Estonian discover and celebrate their rich heritage and reflect on what the idea of ‘other’ means for them.”

Get involved and help support our future

Are you interested in helping build this spectacular new home for the global Estonian community? Please join our growing list of capital campaign donors! The International Estonian Centre’s donor categories are Kalevipoja Laud for gifts over $100,000 (including naming rights for specific areas), Viru Vanemad for gifts over $10,000, and Kungla Rahvas for gifts up to $10,000. Stay tuned for the launch of the Kungla Rahvas campaign in 2021.

To make a donation, please contact Urve Tamberg at See e-posti aadress on spämmirobotite eest kaitstud. Selle nägemiseks peab su veebilehitsejas olema JavaSkript sisse lülitatud..
Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All Canadian and U.S. donations will be issued a tax receipt.

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• Sign-up for the email newsletter on www.estoniancentre.ca (bottom of our home page). 

Üksikasjad

Kirjutas Estonian Life No. 46 2021

Avaldatud: 19 November 2021

With stock markets record-high and the end of the calendar year quickly approaching, there has never been a better time to support KESKUS and to save on taxes!

Even if you have already donated, it’s the perfect opportunity to increase your KESKUS support. By donating before the end of the year, you will receive a 2021 tax receipt, and the tax savings can be even more significant when you donate shares!

Loe edasi: KESKUS Project Update (#117)...