The Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, Mr Jüri Ratas, addresses the honorees and attendees of the 2019 Awards Gala hosted by EANC in Washington, DC, emphasizingÖ `A small people has to be hardy, it has to have force and the will to succeed, which keeps pushing us, makes us work together even when we are far from home, and does not let us dissolve into the wide world.´ Photo: U. Vinkman of Tuli Enterprises. Copyright EANC

Members and supporters of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian communities of the United States gathered in Washington DC on November 9 for the 2019 Awards Gala, hosted by the Estonian American National Council. Awards were presented by both the EANC and the Joint Baltic American National Committee to honor exceptional individuals and organizations for their exceptional and longtime service to their Estonian-American and Baltic-American communities. The three Baltic nations have shared a great deal in their histories and have celebrated many shared anniversaries in recent months and years, a recognition touched upon in the welcome speech by EANC president Marju Rink-Abel. EANC is proud to have shared the stage with JBANC on this special evening. So many recent anniversaries, some joyful, some more somber, are shared by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, that it seemed only right to celebrate this years´s awardees all together as a Baltic community, with a view toward the future and what our communities can continue to share and achieve through collaboration.

The event highlighted culture and community, and the celebration was made all the more extraordinary by the attendance of Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (with Mrs. Karin Ratas), who gave a warm and inspiring keynote speech at the event.  Other special guests included the Ambassador of Latvia to the United States,  Mr. Maris Selga; the Ambassador of Estonia to the United States, Mr. Jonatan Vseviov (with Mrs. Evelin Vseviov), and of course the very distinguished awardees and dedicated community members and their supporters.

The Honorable John Shimkus (Rep. of Illinois, and Co-Chair of the Baltic Caucus) was presented the JBANC Distinguished Service Award for promoting U.S.-Baltic relations and for outstanding leadership in the fight for Baltic freedom. In his acceptance speech Congressman Shimkus reflected fondly on his Lithuanian American upbringing and encouraged each community member to carry on that pride, emphasizing the importance of each individual in preserving culture, sustaining democracy and freedom, and standing for US and Baltic security. Presenters: Karl Altau and Saulius Kuprys (JBANC). Photo: U. Vinkman of Tuli Enterprises. Copyright, EANC

The 2019 Awardees recognized at the event were as follows:

Presented by JBANC:

~Representative John Shimkus, Congressman from Illinois. Co-Chairman of the Baltic Caucus.

~Mr. Paul Goble, foreign affairs and Eurasia expert and longtime journalist and advocate for freedom and democracy in the Baltics

~The Latvian American news weeekly, LAIKS, which on the same weekend celebrated its 70th anniversary. (Happy Anniversary!) 

Presented by EANC:

~Bishop Thomas Vaga, for his lifetime of distinguished service, as a dedicated clergy member tending to the needs of Estonians in the US and abroad, but also as a defender of freedom, as a community leader and, even today, as an active youth role model through Estonian scouting, etc.

~The Baltimore Estonian Society, for uniting Estonians in the local community and further, and its decades of providing a strong sense of Estonian community, providing activities, a contagious spirit and Estonian cultural events and upbringing.

~the Estonian Relief Committee, for nearly 80 years of service to Estonians in need and in support of maintaining and fostering Estonian culture in the USA.

~Ms Anu Oinas and the folkdance group, for outstanding work in preserving Estonian culture and promoting Estonian interests among Americans.

Each honoree was treated to an enthusiastic ovation from the full ballroom, and you can read more about them and their achievements here.  

The festivities were moved along expertly by comedian Andy Valvur, and presenters of the awards were eloquent in their introductions of the honorees. As noted at the event, it was to be expected that the clebration run by Estonians would showcase Estonian folkdance and make reference to the beloved tradition and power of song in Estonia. This observation perhaps best captured the melding of old and new that was to come, the talents of the Tallinn Dance Academy folkdance troupe Kingpoolid ja Ladvaubinad, led by choreographer Märt Agu, who performed a moving show of Estonian folkdance with a modern flair, with the choreography bringing the public on a touching journey with just enough lightheartedness, ethnic pride, and inspiration for the future. The troupe also collaborated with Mr Tony Spinosa, creator and composer of the Broadway-bound show ´Singing Revolution, the Musical´ (singingrevolution.com), inspired by Estonia´s real-life peaceful revolution. The finale was an event in itself, an exclusive sneak peak of the show, with the dancers performing to the accompaniment of vocalist Eric Christensen singing the catchy number ´That´s What I´m Fighting For.`

Held at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington, DC, the gala brought together nearly 200 attendees to enjoy a celebration of culture and community, and also to create a new synergy among the communities and individuals represented. In addition to a witty emcee, distinguished sspeakers, a strong appreciation of volunteers and community activists, attendees were treated to the sounds of a talented musical quartet, brought together by the lovely Johanna Telander (www.kalevala.com) and led by David Fletcher of Washington´s Best Musicians. 

The EANC continues its mission to preserve and promote the Estonian cultural heritage in the United States to foster ties with, and to represent the interests of Estonian Americans and their organizations; and to support the maintenance of democratic institutions, and cultural exchange with, Estonia. 

Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians from around the USA came together to celebrate shared history, pride in their cultures and a strong Baltic community. Photo by U. Vinkman, Tuli Enterprises. Copyright, EANC.

Just as it is integral to commemorate and celebrate important anniversaries and events to keep our history, people and accomplishments in the public mind´s eye, it is also vital to recognize and thank the community volunteers and organizations, and the inspiring individuals who share and help implement our objectives — all contributors are valuable. 

Thank you to the sponsors and advertisers who helped make the 2019 Awards Gala happen, and to help bring spotlighted attention on good work being done in Estonian and Baltic communities around the United States. The primary sponsors of this year´s Awards Gala were Aadu and Kristi Allpere; Ingrid Roosild, Kivi Financial Group; UBS Financial Services, CFS Group; and Prima Builders.

EANC expresses its sincerest thanks to all EANC donors and supporters. As a registered 501(c) nonprofit organization, we are sustained by voluntary , tax-deductible contributions from the Estonian American community and look forward to hearing from you! Email: erku@estosite.org .

Donations can be made via our website                                                                                                                                                                                                  and also by check, written to `EANC´ and mailed: c/o EANC Executive Director, 16 Pepperidge Rd., Monroe, CT 06468.