More about the Association of Estonians in Great Britain

Inglismaa Eestlaste Ühing asutati novembri kuus 1947. a. The Association of Estonians in Great Britain held their inaugural meeting in November 1947. The first Chairman was Jaak Taul, who died in April 2007 in his 102nd year.

The Association of Estonians in Great Britain acts as an umbrella coordinating committee, trying to keep alive the culture and language of Estonia in Great Britain, both among the older generation who came here as refugees after the Second World War, their offspring and more recent arrivals. We are a voluntary organisation and we cannot help with regard to accommodation and employment, or with funding, grants or finance.

The Estonian community has three main centres where there are Estonian houses/clubs - London, Leicester and Bradford. There are smaller communities in other places - Nottingham, Bolton/Manchester, Scotland and some in Cardiff, as well as many persons of Estonian descent scattered far and wide. We would encourage all Estonians to visit their nearest centre (listed below) and take part in their activities.

The Bradford Club (Bradfordi Eesti Kodu) is open regularly Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes.

The Leicester Estonian House is open on Friday evenings and at weekends and for special events.

In London, where there is the largest Estonian community, the London Estonian Society and other groups, such as the Londoni Eesti Gild and the Estonian Relief Committee organise activities. Details are usually circulated by email.

 

In September 2009 the Saturday school for children was resurrected, meeting on a fortnightly basis during term time at the Chiswick Community School, W4.

The Estonian Relief committee organises Sunday lunches for charitable purposes on nine occasions in the year at the London Estonian House. This is one of the few activities at the London Estonian House which is a private establishment and it hosts only a limited number of events for its restricted membership. It was originally purchased in 1957 by hard-working exiled Estonians for use by all Estonians, but nowadays the principle activity is the letting of the apartments in the house. The house, however, has probably the best hall and stage facilities of the three houses. Visitors should not go unannounced.

Events and functions are organised in the main centres (details from main menu) – including

Celebration of Estonian Independence on 24th February (at all venues)

Mothers' Day on the second Sunday in May

Mid-summer celebrations (Jaanipäev and Võidupüha) – this is especially good at Bradford with a large bonfire and in London

Children's Summer Camp towards the end of August held at Catthorpe with an enjoyable final day (Rahvapidu) involving everyone. The camp is held in both Estonian and English. This year was the 61st anniversary of Children’s camp.

The 2011 Rahvapidu – the main Estonian event of the year in this country – is held in conjunction with the finale to the children’s summer camp. The 2011 event was held on Saturday 20th August 2011, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of Estonia regaining independence.

Christmas functions and more

Should you want to know more or if you have something to tell us please contact (kas või eesti või inglise keeles). If you have any news please let me know. I can post messages on this website if you wish.

I.E.Ü esimehed

1947 - 1949     dr. Jaak Taul

1949 – 1951    kapten Bernhard Nelberg

1951 – 1968    dr. Jaak Taul

1968 – 1980    Väino Pärtel

1980 – 1993    Helmut Heinastu

1993 -              Toomas Ojasoo

 

Auliikmeid

Heino Poopuu

† Kalju Toom

† dr. Jaak Taul

† Arnold Ojasoo

† õp. Albert Enno Aaviksaar

 

I.E.Ü asutamise koosoleku juhatus november, 1947.

dr. Jaak Taul

kapten Bernhard Nelberg

prof. Ants Oras

Villibald Raud

J. Treifeld

Gert Helbemäe

dr. Endel Aruja

Manivald Loite

dr. A. Elmik

Arnold Ojasoo