25th anniversary of the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia

On this day our friends came to see us, and we are endlessly grateful to everyone who joined the celebration and to everyone who over these 25 years has shaped the history of the Ukrainian community in Estonia – partner organisations, volunteers, all members of the Association’s Board and our whole team!

It was a very warm evening that will stay in our memory for a long time: the Association was congratulated by those who support us not only with words but with deeds, who are always ready to lend a shoulder and help from the heart, not out of self-interest.

It was you who created the atmosphere of this evening, and it is you on whom our community in Estonia rests!

Twenty-five years is a quarter of a century of history, joint work, challenges and achievements. It is a path walked together by Ukrainians living in Estonia and our Estonian friends, who have always been by our side.

When the Association was founded in 2000, its aim was to unite Ukrainian organisations to preserve the language, culture and traditions of Ukrainians in Estonia. Today we see that this aim has not only been preserved – it has become the foundation of a strong, active and open community that stands firmly on its feet and works for people.

Over these years, Ukrainian weekend schools have appeared in Estonia – Ukrainian Youth Association in Estonia, Nadija Kool, Ukrainian society and Saturday school “Kalyna” in Valga, children’s groups and ensembles – Ukrainian Association “Spohad”, Ukrainian community society “Vodohrai” in Sillamäe, raising a new generation that speaks Ukrainian and at the same time feels at home in Estonia.

We have created many cultural, educational and outreach initiatives and projects, including festivals (“Flowers of Ukraine”, “Northern Star”, “Vyshyvanka Unites”, St Nicholas Fest), Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia, “Ukrainian craft days”, conversation and reading clubs Prosvita - Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Society in Estonia, Kolo Books, Spilno_ee, Ukraina Kunstide Stuudio Mrija MTÜ, and even the first stand-up comedy in Ukrainian in Estonia, Stand up from UA!

Each of these projects is not just an event but an expression of our love for Ukrainian traditions, our native language, people and our common cause.

In recent years about 30,000 Ukrainians have taken part in the Association’s cultural events.

We are proud that together with our Estonian partners we have created a space where the Ukrainian voice is heard! It is thanks to this cooperation that the Ukrainian community has become an integral part of Estonia’s cultural and public life.

Guests and everyone present were addressed by the Association’s Chairman of the Board Volodymyr Palamar, who sincerely thanked the Estonian people, government, municipalities and NGOs that have supported Ukraine all these years.

“We feel this support every day – in words, in deeds, in sincere human gestures. Thank you for your trust and for always being by our side – in joy, in sorrow and in hope. This anniversary is not only a chance to look back but also to look ahead. We believe the Association will continue to be a platform for unity, inspiration and mutual support. We want our common path to continue in a variety of cultural, educational, humanitarian and integration projects, where Ukrainians and Estonians together build a strong, democratic, humane and open society. From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone who has been and is with us – member organisations, volunteers, partners, friends, and everyone who over these 25 years has shaped the history of the Ukrainian community in Estonia. We will keep working so that the Ukrainian voice in Estonia sounds with dignity, strength and respect.”

The Association was also congratulated on its anniversary by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia – Volodymyr Boiechko and his wife Yuliia Boiechko. Volodymyr Boiechko gave a speech and presented the Association with a certificate of honour from the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia for its dedication to preserving the Ukrainian language, culture, traditions and national identity, and for its significant contribution to spreading Ukrainian cultural values in Estonia.

Many letters of thanks and certificates were also presented by Estonian state institutions: a letter of thanks on behalf of Minister of Culture Heidy Purga was handed to the Association’s chairman by Eda Silberg and Artjom Tepljuk, and a letter of thanks on behalf of the Head of the Integration Foundation Dmitri Moskovtsev was solemnly presented by Ave Härsing and Kristina Pirgop.

Very sincere and moving words were spoken by the Deputy Secretary General of the Estonian Red Cross, Kirill Badikin!

“I am sincerely glad to be here today. Not because of my position, but because of the people. Because of you. This is not just an anniversary. It is a moment that carries 25 years of the community’s strength, dignity and courage and, to be honest, something that touches me personally – helping people. My acquaintance with the Ukrainian community did not begin through the Red Cross or public service. It began with people, the Ukrainian language, borscht, varenyky, uzvar, Ukrainian music and children’s films. These moments, these little pieces of culture, became part of a world that carries Ukraine’s history for me.” He also stressed that Estonia will not leave Ukrainians alone – not during the war, not after it ends, and not even when everything has to be rebuilt.

We were also greeted by talented Ukrainian and Estonian musicians: laureate of international competitions, renowned Ukrainian violinist Yevhen Kostrytskyi, and Petr Suškov, who performed his own piece “Night over the Dnipro” and dedicated it to all Ukrainians.

We thank the Association’s member ensembles, who also greeted the Association with songs and dances – Ukrainian song and dance group "Volya" and the group “Dzherelo”!

We thank Andriy Yatsenko for the certificates and letters of thanks from Kherson organisations!

The event was accompanied by an exhibition of children’s drawings, “Colours That Bring Life Back”, organised with the support of the charity foundation “Children of Heroes”!

Behind each drawing is the story of a little person who has lost what was dearest but continues to believe in goodness, love and peace. We are endlessly grateful to the foundation and personally to its manager Oksana Zhuravel, who brought the exhibition to Estonia!

We also thank our regular photographer Oleksandr Storozhuk, who took many emotional, vivid photos – find yourself, tag and share on social media (photos at this link).

We thank Wines from Ukraine for the Ukrainian wine and Q-catering for the incredibly tasty snacks made with a Ukrainian-Estonian soul!

Special thanks for preparing and organising the event: Anastasiia Kozachok, Dima Gladkov, Allan Teetlaus, Denis Priimägi, Inna Hordiienko, Inna Vnukova, Tetiana Kuznietsova, Yuliia Holovchenko, Yuliia Tryskavetska, Hanna Kiriienko, Kateryna Chalova, Marharyta Katrenko, Oleksandra Pshonovska.

We thank all our partners for many years of cooperation, inspiration and support, and we move on together towards Ukraine’s victory!
Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia
Kultuuriministeerium
Integratsiooni Sihtasutus
Strichka
FRESH PRODUCTION GROUP
State Agency of Ukraine for Cinema (Derzhkino)
Watch Ukrainian (Dyvys ukrainske)
PÖFF | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
Charity foundation “Children of Heroes”
Business Woman magazine
Vaba Ukraina
Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum / Estonian Open Air Museum
Kadrioru kunstimuuseum
Eesti Punane Rist / Estonian Red Cross
Kaitseliit
Eesti Pagulasabi / Estonian Refugee Council
Sõprade Kodu MTÜ (House of Friends)