Estonia sings a song for Ukraine

bySven Salumets

12/10/2014

3 minute read

Article by: Sven Salumets

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

estonia2 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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January 2: The enemy began to group its battle formations and is relocating them closer to advanced positions of Ukrainian troops in the ATO area

Maidan Community Sector, Lviv: Dear friends!

January 2 – One Ukrainian military was killed and 5 were wounded in the ATO are in the last 24 hours, – informed NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

January 2 – Russian terrorists have carried out 16 provocative shooting attacks on Ukrainian military positions, – informs ATO press center. By using small arms, rocket launchers and mortars, the terrorists fired at Donetsk airport (during the night), and by using small arms only – are near Chornukhyne village. The villages/towns of Stryi Aydar, Zolote, Popasna, Vuhlehirsk, Chermalyk have also suffered the effects of mortar attacks.

January 2 – The enemy began to group its battle formations and is relocating them closer to advanced positions of Ukrainian troops in the ATO area, – informs "Information Resistance" group.

January 2 – 2 new enemy formations, which include up to 200 people and 6 armored vehicles, have been recorded near the city of Volnovakha.

January 2 – Aamphibious self-propelled howitzer 2S1 "Gvozdika" has been recorded south of Starobeshevo (4 "Gvozdika" howitzers and several KAMAZ trucks with ammunition).

January 2 – Close to the town of Tryokhizbenka the terrorists have again started to practice "wandering tanks" tactics (they are using these tactics near Donetsk airport as well). Tank crew mostly consists of regular military of Russian Federation.

January 2 – The enemy has relocated an artillery group to its first line near the town of Granitne.

January 2 – Among the terrorists killed during an attack in the village of Pisky (close to Donetsk airport) 4 marines of the Russian Black Sea Fleet were identified, – informs "Information Resistance" group.

January 2 – Pro-Russian terrorists of the so-called "DNR" are mobilizing underage children into their gangs. This was announced by ATO spokesman Andriy Lysenko during the traditional Friday briefing: "According to the reconnaisance, with the goal of completing the evident gang formations, which the leadership of the so-called "DNR" is carrying out on the occuppied territories of the so-called "volunteer" mobilization of the local residents between the age of 16-18," he said.

Lysenko reminded that the involvement of under-age children in participating in the army actions and army services is a deep violation of the International Humanitarian Legal Law, especially Article 38 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children.

Janaury 1 – In 2014 Russia established a series of anti-records. The gross national product of Russia, as of November 2014, for the first time since 2009 went into a minus level, the decrease constituted 0.5%.

This is not the only anti-record of the year – on December 15th, the exchange rate of a ruble to he dollar of the year had n a few hours decreased more than 8.5%. Until that moment the Russian money from the beginningof the year had devalued almost twice the amount.

The devaluation of the Russian ruble was preceeded by the lowering of gas prices throughout five months – due to the strengthening of the sanctions by EU and USA and Russian "anti-sanctions".

The decisions of the countries of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to not decrease the quota of procuring gas, deteriorated the situation. After that the price for raw materials decreased, speeeding up the loss of capital from Russia and the inflation of the ruble.

The devaluation of the Russian ruble was preceeded by the lowering of gas prices throughout five months – due to the strengthening of the sanctions by EU and USA and Russian "anti-sanctions".

The decisions of the countries of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to not decrease the quota of procuring gas, deteriorated the situation. After that the price for raw materials decreased, speeeding up the loss of capital from Russia and the inflation of the ruble.

The gold currency reserves of Russia continued to decrease, while the rating of support for Putin's actions, increased. This year the ministry of the Economic Development of Russia examined the official prognosis about the inflation of the ruble three times. The beginning prognosis to the end of the year was increased almost twice – from 4.8% to 9%. Realistically, as the Russian Minister of Finances Anton Syluanov stated on December 25th, "according to the year's summary, most probably the inflation will quickly rise to 11.5%, and possibly even somewhat higher."

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Archive

February 19: Editorial board of Russian “Novaya Gazeta” is in possession of a document developed by Putin’s “close circle” during February 4-15th, 2014 describing planned aggression in Ukraine

Le 19 février – "Lors des dernières 24 heures, 14 soldats ont été tués dans la zone d'opération anti-terroriste, 172 autres sont blessés." – le porte-parole de l'ATO, Andriy Lyssenko.

Le 19 février – Oleksandr Tourtchynov, secrétaire du Conseil national de la sécurité et de la défense de l'Ukraine a déclaré que le Conseil a approuvé la demande faite à l'ONU et à l'Union européenne de déployer une mission de maintien de la paix et de la sécurité en Ukraine.

Le 19 février – La direction générale du journal russe "Novaya Gazeta" a un document daté du 4-15 février 2014, élaboré par les conseillers de Poutine, qui raconte le scénario d'intervention en Ukraine (ceci après que l'Ukraine ait signé l'accord d'association avec l'UE).

Le 19 février – "Le nœud ferroviaire stratégique de Debaltsevo, qui était d'une importance capitale pour la région, a cessé d'exister. Le nœud ferroviaire ressemble aujourd'hui a une surface lunaire, tout est détruit." a déclaré le porte-parole de l'ATO, Andriy Lyssenko. "On estime que depuis l'annonce du cessez-le-feu jusqu'au retrait de la garnison ukrainienne de Debaltsevo, un combattant a reçu quotidiennement sur sa tête l'equivalent de 580 kg de métal létal sous la forme d'obus, de missiles anti-char et d'autres types de roquettes".

Le 19 février – Le Procureur général de l'Ukraine a déclaré qu'il a des raisons de croire que la fusillade sur le Maidan du 18 et 19 février 2014 a été organisée par des unités militaires russes.

Le 19 février – L'armée russes et les collaborateurs russes interdisent toujours l'accès à Debaltsevo aux représentants de la mission de l'OSCE.

Le 19 février – Le Service de presse de l'état-major des Forces armées de l'Ukraine annonce que plus de 90 soldats ukrainiens ont été capturés pendant la bataille de Debaltsevo, 82 sont portés disparus. Cependant, il ajouté qu'en quittant Debaltsevo les militaires ukrainiens ont arrêté plusieurs dizaines de terroristes, ce qui prouve de nouveau la propagation d'opérations illégales des groupements terroristes.

Le 19 février – Poutine déclare que la Crimée est devenue une "forteresse imprenable", protégée par de grandes unités militaires et des armes sophistiquées. En décembre 2014, le ministre russe de la Défense, Sergueï Choïgou a annoncé la création d'une Force militaire auto-suffisante en Crimée – le ministère a créé sept formations et huit unités militaires de plus.

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