Estonians are finding musical ways to raise funds for Ukraine suffering from Russian aggression. Three charity concerts are to take place in Estonia in the next week. Cover photo: Svjata Vatra, a Estonian-Ukrainian band
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
-John Lennon „Imagine”
It is no secret Estonians just love to sing. Take a look at our Song Festivals, for example. Even our fight for freedom from Soviet occupation was named accordingly – the Singing Revolution. Now, in these days of battling for freedom in Ukraine, Estonia is willing to pay it forward and sing to support Ukrainians, raising money to support fighters, refugees, and culture. If you have planned a trip to Estonia or are simply willing to help, here are some things you could do.
Folk music charity concert
First, on October 19 there will be an Estonian-Ukrainian Folk Night charity concert at Endla Theatre in Pärnu, Estonia, conducted by Museum of New Art and supported by, amidst others, by City Council of Pärnu and Estonian Public Broadcasting. Performers list Svjata Vatra, Kukerpillid, Kihnu Virve ja children instrumental ensemble Kihnu Pillilapsed. Revenues of this event will be used to buy lifesaving equipment for Ukrainian fighters. Further details can be obtained on the event's facebook page.
Opera for Ukraine
Next, on October 20 the Estonian National Opera in Tallinn holds a charity gala concert in cooperation with the National Opera of Ukraine, „Estonia for Ukraine,” in order to use the money raised from the donations to purchase a new high-end Estonia Piano for the pupils of Sloviansk School of Fine Arts. The program features performances by Estonian National Opera Chorus, Boys’ Choir and Orchestra, Estonian National Ballet, and soloists Lilia Grevtsova (soprano, National Opera of Ukraine), Olga Zaitseva (soprano), Andrei Romanenko (tenor, National Opera of Ukraine), Angelina Shvachka (mezzosoprano, National Opera of Ukraine), Pavlo Balakin (bass), Olga Golitsa (principal dancer, National Opera of Ukraine), Aleksandr Stojanov (principal dancer, National Opera of Ukraine), Katerina Dyadyura (pianist, Ukraine), conducted by Jüri Alperten, Mykola Dyadyura (National Opera of Ukraine). There is no fixed price for the concert – everyone can decide how much they want to donate. In addition, it is possible to support the project with a money transfer to the bank account of the Estonian National Opera EE351010002011259003 with the keyword “Ukraine” as the description. You can also donate by leaving the money directly in the charity boxes available in the Estonian National Opera beginning from September 29. It is possible to make donations until December 1. Further details are available at the Tallinn Opera House website.
Eurovision finalists, pop and folk bands to hold charity concert
Then, on October 21 a charity concert „From Estonia to Ukraine“ is staged at Nordea Concert House in Tallinn by NGO Vaba Ukraina/Free Ukraine, raising funds to buy medical supplies for people suffering in Ukrainian conflict. Contributing artists include Grandmasters of Estonia's pop music Tõnis Mägi and Ivo Linna (Eurovision Song Contest 1996), Lenna Kuurmaa (ex-Vanilla Ninja, Eurovision 2005) Birgit Õigemeel (Eurovision 2013), Sandra Nurmsalu (ex-Urban Symphony, Eurovision 2009), Ott Lepland (Eurovision 2012), InBoil, Karl Erik Taukar, Rasmus Rändvee, ensembles Svjata Vatra and Elephants from Neptune, Ukrainian folk rock group Haydamaky, Defence Forces Orchestra and Estonian-Ukrainian choir „Ukraina.“ For additional information see the event's website.
In addition to the above Estonia's Women's Home Defence organization has launced a campaign for it's members to knit warm cotton socks for Ukraine's fighters and war refugees. As a rule all the socks have to be hand knitted to pass on the warmth of hands and hearths of Estonian women.
Even if you can't attend these events, you can still support the cause to help Ukraine by donating money to NGO Free Ukraine (Bank name: Swedbank; Bank address: Liivalaia 8, 15040 Tallinn, Estonia; Account holder: MITTETULUNDUSÜHING VABA UKRAINA (NGO Free Ukraine); IBAN: EE042200221060257931; SWIFT/BIC: HABAEE2X) or to corresponding relief organizations in your country. Every bit counts and perhaps a simple roll of bandage bought for your donation will save someone's life. Lest not forget: evil only can prevail when good men do nothing.
Russia's aggression in Ukraine continues. We, the peoples of the world can not stand by. Let's bring the victory closer, together!
Bonus: video of the Estonian-Ukrainian band Svjata Vatra, one of the performers at the upcoming events. Live at Viljandi Folk Music Festival 26.07.2014 first at Kaevumägi, Estonia:
UPDATE: During the concert, the Estonian NGO Vaba Ukraina was able to raise 175 635.50 € in donations. Here is a compilation of the best songs of the concert on 21 October 2014:
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March 1 – No attacks by the terrorists were recorded in the ATO area from midnight to 6 am, reports ATO press center.
March 1 – Starting on March 1st Russian citizens will have to use their foreign passports to enter Ukraine.
March 1 – A column of Russian military equipment was recorded moving towards Luhansk. Local residents believe that the vehicles might have entered Ukraine through border crossing point "Izvaryne", controlled by the Russians.
March 1 – "In order to mislead members of the OSCE mission, the militants are moving military equipment from the boundary to rear areas during the day, and at night – in the opposite direction", – said NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko. National Security and Defense Council has also issues a statement saying that the militants haven't yet submitted all the necessary information about their military vehicles, movement routes and its subsequent location to international observers. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said that militants are carrying out a fake withdrawal of heavy weapons from the boundary in Donbas.
March 1 – In Moscow during a funeral procession in memory of slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, local police arrested Member of Ukrainian Parliament Oleksiy Goncharenko. He will be transferred to Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for undisclosed proceedings. It is possible that Goncharenko will become a defendant within some criminal case, for instance related to events in Odessa last year that led to fatalities. After that Goncharenko was released.
March 1 – On the territory of Donetsk region, there are three unlawful armed formations acting, which include specific groups and fighter detachments, whose total number of verified participants number close to 1,664 individuals. This information was provided by the Head of the Regional Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Donetsk Region, V'yacheslav Abroskin. "Their crimes do not have a long-term history," Abroskin emphasized. "In the past year there have been 785 individuals reported suspicious in committing crimes, of which 257 individuals were apprehended. During this year, there were reports of suspicion of 326 individuals, of which 68 individuals were apprehended and 258 individuals were placed on the search list," added Abroskin.
Additionally, Abroskin noted, that until now the names of all the managers of the terrorist organization "DNR", including the list of names of "DNR Police" and criminals from the number of former police collaborators of Donetsk region. "Some of the 'former' policeman were apprehended for treason," he added.
January 1 – No Ukrainian military have died, 3 were wounded in the ATO area in the last 24 hours. The enemy has intensified their attacks and shelled Ukrainian military 23 times, – informed NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko.
January 1 – President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko congratulated the citizens of Ukraine on the occasion of New Year in Crimean Tatar, Russian and Ukrainian languages.
January 1 – A half-year presidency of Serbia in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) starts on January 1st, 2015. Serbia often acts as Russian ally.
January 1 – The militants shelled Ukrainian military with artillery weapons twice near the town of Debaltseve; they used mortars in Granitne village and mortars, grenade launcher and multiple rocket launcher "Grad" near Chornukhine village, – informs ATO press center.
January 1 – National Television and Radio Council must immediately consider a license withdrawal for "Inter" TV channel as the one leading an information war against Ukraine siding with Russian Federation, – said the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov. "On New Year's Eve, when the nation stood united, "Inter" TV channel" traditionally acted against Ukraine by broadcasting the people who abused our country, supported terrorists, and welcomed the invasion of Crimea and Donbas", – Turchynov said.
January 1 – Almost 82% of people in Ukraine do not recognize the legitimacy of "People's Republic of Donetsk", neither do 55% Donbas residents. These are the results of public opinion poll conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology on December 4-19, 2014.
Then, on October 21 a charity concert „From Estonia to Ukraine“ is staged at Nordea Concert House in Tallinn by NGO Vaba Ukraina/Free Ukraine, raising funds to buy medical supplies for people suffering in Ukrainian conflict. Contributing artists include Grandmasters of Estonia's pop music Tõnis Mägi and Ivo Linna (Eurovision Song Contest 1996), Lenna Kuurmaa (ex-Vanilla Ninja, Eurovision 2005) Birgit Õigemeel (Eurovision 2013), Sandra Nurmsalu (ex-Urban Symphony, Eurovision 2009), Ott Lepland (Eurovision 2012), InBoil, Karl Erik Taukar, Rasmus Rändvee, ensembles Svjata Vatra and Elephants from Neptune, Ukrainian folk rock group Haydamaky, Defence Forces Orchestra and Estonian-Ukrainian choir „Ukraina.“ For additional information see the event's website.
