A celebration of culture and community!
The Estonian American National Council was proud to host the 2019 Awards Gala in Washington, DC on Nov. 9th. In a period of many shared anniversaries and reflections on joint accomplishments, as mentioned in the welcome speech by the EANC President, there was no better time to celebrate US – Baltic relations and to honor exceptional members of the Estonian-American and JBANC communities! It was an honor to host the Prime Minister of Estonia, Mr Jüri Ratas, and several special guests and distinguished awardees.
On behalf of the Estonian community in the United States, we applaud the 2019 awardees (see below) and offer a heartfelt “Thank you!” for their dedication, decades of service and effective work defending the interests and security of the Baltic nations, for preserving and promoting Estonian culture, and for continuing to introduce Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the people and institutions of the United States.
November 8th and 9th fit in three memorable events – Baltic Advocacy Day, the JBANC Baltic Conference and the 2019 Awards Gala, calling together friends, new and old, from our communities around the United States, affording myriad opportunities to advocate, network, mingle, make a difference and celebrate!
#eancgala #eancgala2019
JBANC’s 13th Baltic Conference & the 2019 Awards Gala hosted by the Estonian American National Council at the elegant Marriott Wardman Park (established 1918), brought together community leaders, cultural figures, and foreign policy experts, as well as friends and distinguished supporters of the Estonian-American and JBANC communities to celebrate our work, our culture, and our shared accomplishments, to look to the future – together!
Address by the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas
Full Gallery by UV Photography
EANC Awards, Class of 2019
The Estonian American National Council was proud to present:
Ms Anu Oinas and the folk-dance group Pillerkaar
EANC recognizes Ms Anu Oinas for her Outstanding Contributions to preserving Estonian culture in the US, and the folk-dance group Pillerkaar as an Outstanding Organization for its work in bringing Estonian culture to the American public.
Bishop electus Thomas Vaga
EANC recognizes Bishop electus Thomas Vaga for his life-long Outstanding Service to the Estonian community.
The Estonian Relief Committee
EANC is honored to thank the charitable Estonian Relief Committee (Eesti Abistamiskomitee Ühendriikides), established in 1941 to help fellow Estonians in need. Today, the ERC continues to support Estonian causes in the US & Estonia and is dedicated to preserving and promoting Estonian culture and heritage in the USA.
The Baltimore Estonian Society
EANC recognizes Baltimore Estonian Society, established in 1935, for its long history of bringing Estonians together and offering strong support to the Estonian community in the United States. Congratulations!
JBANC AWARDS, Class of 2019
The Joint Baltic American National Committee was proud to present:
The Distinguished Service Award
to Congressman John Shimkus
for promoting U.S.-Baltic relations and for outstanding leadership in the fight for Baltic freedom
The Exceptional Dedication to Baltic Affairs Award
to Mr. Paul Goble
for promoting U.S.-Baltic relations and for outstanding insight and analysis
The Outstanding Community Service Award
to the Latvian newspaper Laiks
for keeping alive and chronicling the Latvian-American voice for 70 years