The Estonian community in Greater Cleveland gathered on Feb. 25, at Der Braumeister Restaurant to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Estonia.
Toomas Tubalkain began the proceedings by welcoming guests from the Latvian and Lithuanian communities in Cleveland. Mr. Kalvis Kampe (Latvian) spoke briefly about the shared history of Latvia and Estonia and congratulated us on our anniversary. Mrs. Ingrida Bublys, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Cleveland also spoke, bringing in the support Estonia and other Baltic nations are providing to Ukraine in trying to halt Russian aggression. Then Mr. Tubalkain read parts of the EANC letter to Estonians regarding the 105th anniversary of independence, focusing on the support Estonia provides to Ukraine and the importance of that support to the security of the Baltic countries.
Mr. Charles Kroncke, Honorary Consul of Estonia for Ohio and Kentucky, was then introduced to the Cleveland Estonians. Mr. Kroncke attended with his wife Kaie (from Saaremaa) and two daughters (aspiring ballerinas studying with the Cincinatti Ballet). He spoke briefly about how he came to love Estonia. At the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, he joined the ‘Civic Education Project’ and got assigned to Estonia, where he taught courses in Public Administration at the University of Tartu for several years. He found that this experience changed his life. He married an Estonian and returned to the US, where he is a Professor and Chair of the Business School at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinatti. Mr. Kroncke became an Honorary Consul last year and this was his first visit to the Cleveland Estonian community. He explained what services he can provide, in getting Estonian passports and identification cards.
In summary, we had a wonderful gathering, with good food, drink and conversation. A fitting celebration of the 105th anniversary of Estonian Independence.
Toomas Tubalkain
