The Estonian American Council just held its first ever virtual auction, raising $14,361, while at the same time raising awareness about the role Estonian Houses and community facilities have played as touchstones for the preservation of Estonian culture and heritage in the U.S.   All proceeds from the auction will go to support these facilities, addressing their repair and updating needs. 

The auction had added benefits. It spotlighted many Estonian businesses and talented individuals — who by their participation as donors — were able to promote their product, art,  craft, or service, all the while creating an Estonian community event in which people across the US (and beyond) could participate. In the words of one EANC supporter, ‟EANC has managed to include, to invite, to allow EVERYONE, all eestlased (rich or poor, young or old) to participate and feel welcome, involved and needed in helping American Eestlus ….Everyone can feel valued…”

The auction ran from September 16 through September 26, culminating in a day of virtual programming on September 25. The September 25 program introduced our treasured houses, camps, and other facilities, providing open house tours of these places, which continue to serve as hubs for Estonian societies, schools, choirs, folkdance groups, clubs, and organizations. The evening part of the program was MC’d by the talented, always entertaining Andy Valvur and included dance and music performances and conversations with Estonians and friends of Estonians. The program is available for repeat viewing on the EANC Facebook page and will soon be posted on EANC’s website and You Tube channel. 

During the virtual program, one could learn about sauna history, how to make hapukapsasupp (sauerkraut soup), why literary figure Henrik Visnapuu is still important to us, or hear about our national mythic hero, Kalevipoeg.  Among the performance highlights was Diina Tamm’s choreographed “Viska leili” dance celebrating Estonian sauna culture, performed by Jose Amor Christensen and Diina Tamm.  In another program segment, violinist Valev Laube together with Charlie Rauh on guitar played traditional and new folk tunes, interspersed with Valev’s insightful commentary.  Not to be missed was contemporary Estonian artist Markus Puskar’s captivating interview with Andy Valvur.

EANC’s first time auction was organized by its fundraising committee, implementing a suggestion from board member Toomas Tubalkain.  Special appreciation goes to Executive Director Leelo Linask and council member Marit Davey for their creativity and hard work.  The ESTO|RAISER branding was developed to call attention to the auction’s role in “raising funds, raising awareness, so that we can raise the next generations of Estonian Americans.” Now comes the post-auction work of making sure that every item bought gets from donor to buyer! 

The Estonian American National Council is hugely thankful to Estonians across the USA and further for their support of EANC’s ESTO|RAISER event, which allowed the event to decisively surpass its initial $10,000 fundraising goal. Whether you were a buyer, seller, performer, viewer or auction team member – your support and collaboration made the event a success.

The world might not be open to travel yet, but we at EANC hope the event raised collective spirits until we meet again in person. 

~Mai-Liis Bartling, EANC council and board member and auction team member

EANC Auction Committee: Mai-Liis Bartling, Marit Davey, Leelo Linask, Tiina Sepp, Toomas Tubalkain, Tiina Urv, Ilmar Vanderer.