President Karis: The strength of the Estonian community depends on the sense of identity passed on to the next generation

Speaking to the local Estonian community at New York Estonian House on Sunday, President Alar Karis underscored the importance of young people in preserving Estonian language and culture and a sense of Estonian identity. “The strength of our community depends, after all, on whether we are able to pass those things on to the next generation,” he said.

The head of state thanked the Estonians in America who have kept the Estonian language, culture and sense of community alive over the years. He made a point of acknowledging both New York Estonian House, which has been owned and run by Estonians for 80 years, and Lakewood Estonian House in New Jersey, which has been in operation for just as long. “There are so few of us Estonians in the world,” he remarked. “We have to stick together.”

President Karis explained that the action plan for the global Estonian presence over the next four years, which was approved by the government earlier this year, reaffirms the importance to the state of the Estonian community abroad. He noted that alongside the teaching of Estonian, even those who do not speak the language must continue to have the opportunity to participate in cultural life by celebrating Estonia’s national holidays, singing and dancing, and otherwise interacting with their fellow countrymen and -women.

The head of state paid tribute to the New York Estonian Educational Society, the Estonian school, the Estonian mixed choir, the Saare Vikati folk dance group and other Estonian schools, societies, cultural groups and organisations. “Many, many thanks to those of you who keep them all going,” he said.

Gallery (Office of the President/Raigo Pajula): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5q7a