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:
We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!
January 3 – No Ukrainian military have died; one was wounded in the ATO area in the last 24 hours, – informed NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko.
January 3 – Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement that Foreign Ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France insist on urgent meeting of the Contact Group to resolve the situation in Donbas.
January 3 – The lowest price for WTI and Brent oil in the last 5.5 years was recorded on Saturday.
January 3 – More military from the Russian Federation have been arriving in Luhansk region; attempts are being made to establish a single operations center over all terrorist groups of Luhansk region, – stated NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko – the National Security Council spokesman Andrei Lysenko.
January 3 – At night and in the morning the terrorists were attacking the positions held by "Azov" regiment near the village of Telmanove, attempting a breakthrough.
January 3 – One of the main priorities for 2015 is a high-principled, consistent and effective fight against corruption, – said the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during his meeting with Giovanni Kessler, Director-General of European Anti-Fraud Office.
January 3 – Travel for citizens across frontline in the ATO area will be restricted significantly – 7 transport corridors will be created and all other transport ways will be blocked, stated NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov (similarly to Gaza and Israel). According to Turchynov, movement restrictions in the ATO area are being implemented in order to carry out comprehensive counter-terrorist activity. All vehicles and individuals will be meticulously checked.
January 3 – Part of the strategy of RF President Volodymyr Putin regarding the Ukrainian conflict is "unquestionably, also the attempt to influence public opinion in Russia itself, in Ukraine, and in Germany – including using the assistance of propaganda and the manipulation of thoughts."
This was stated by the Head of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the Bundestag, the deputy from the Christian-Democratic Union, Norbert Rettgen, in an interview in the publication Tagesspiegel. In view of this, he urged all to be more careful in having to deal with such acts of Kremlin. "We in Germany, have not even begun a discussion regarding this propaganda, much less even to consider our reply," noted the Head of the Bundestag Committee. The German politician turned attention to the fact that journalists of the public tv-radio companies of the Federal Republic of Germany, "who work on the materials from Eastern Ukraine and directly talk about the participation of Russia in events there", are under enormous pressure. This needs to be talked about, believes Rettgen. "When there exists an awareness of this hidden, organized influence on public thought, it ceases to attain its function," said he.
January 9 – Four Ukrainian military were killed, eight wounded in the last 24 hours, – informed NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko. He believes that this is due to arrival of new Russian "humanitarian aid convoy" – weapons, ammunition and terrorists have again arrived from Russia.
January 9 – Russia hasn't provided any positive signs about the conflict in Ukraine, thus there are no reasons to lift EU sanctions, – stated Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius on Friday ("Interfax-Ukraine"). He made this statement a day after EU Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini said that she can see "limited positive signs on behalf of Russia". Lithuanian Minister has stressed that Russia continues to support armed groups in eastern Ukraine and sends humanitarian convoys, which are not permitted to be inspected by the representatives of Ukraine or the Red Cross.
January 9 – Russia became fifth on the list of countries with a high probability of default, ahead of several countries with speculative rating, including Lebanon, Egypt, Portugal.
January 9 – Lithuania, United Kingdom, Denmark and Estonia have addressed the European Commission regarding an action plan against Russian propaganda campaign (as stated in a letter by foreign ministers of the four countries, addressed to Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, – reports Delfi.lt). The letter was signed by foreign ministers of Lithuania, the United Kingdom, of Denmark and Estonia Linas Linkevičius, Philip Hammond, Martin Lidegaard and Keit Pentus-Rosimannus. They also warned that "Russia is rapidly expanding its campaign of misinformation and propaganda" in support "of political and military goals of the Russian government".
January 9 – Ukrainian officer Nadiya Savchenko has been on a hunger strike for 28 days and has lost 10 kilograms. Her attorney Mark Feigin wrote this on his Twitter. Savchenko was transfered to a solitary cell: "She was put in a solitary cell due to her hunger strike," he said. Savchenko is on a hunger strike since December 13th. In Russia she is accused of beinginvolved in the death of Russian journalists. She denies any of these accusations; her defense claims that Savchenko was kidnapped by Russian terrorists and was forcibly taken beyond the territory of Ukraine. In September Savchenko was already held in a solitary cell. At present she is a deputy of Parliament from "Batkivshchyna" Party and a delegate in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
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.
Вконтакте