EX-Z750
ƒ/4.4
16.6 mm
1/60
Just held a dinner for President Rüütel and various dignitaries from Estonia. It was just magical to immerse myself in a room full of people who love the homeland.
29 responses to “President of Estonia”
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Interesting… no Estonian newschannel knew about his visit… secret mission?
Anyway today’s hottest news is the booz-pot parties in Kadrioru Castle while Arnold was away.
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Yup, it’s rare to see an Estonian President smile… =)
This was the only shot that did not have a grim look… thanks to a sneak shot from my Dad.Kats: heh… lots of secret service… ETV had a television crew there… Do you have photos from the Castle?
Your pal Eneken also posted some nice shots… with the typical non-smiles…
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It is a shame what happened in Castle.Here is a video (http://president.ahju.ee/perev22rtused.php) which started it all.It is in estonian but there is pictures and etc.Yesterday President daughter gave interview in tv which made President couple look even worse unfortunetly:(
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Yep, this is big mess. That’s why it’s funny to look at these photos (Mayfields photostream) and at the same time big catastrophy is growing in Kadriorg.
Party photos were published in all local newspapers yesterday. -
Yikes…. Here’s an attempt at "damage control" from that article:
"He was not completely naked," said presidential spokeswoman Kaidi Aher. "And it was a boy not a girl. That (a naked girl) would be completely different."
And, yes Mimosa and Zenera… in stark contrast to the events in the news, this dinner was a very special and moving event. Here is an excerpt from an email I just received, and it reflects the sentiment heard from several of people during the dinner:
"It was an incredible experience for us both, but for me it was a particularly moving and emotional one. From our flight from Communism in 1944, to our six years as Displaced Persons in Germany, to our struggles as new immigrants in America and the pain we felt for those left behind (my father), to sitting down for a meal with the leader of "free" Estonia…my journey, I feel, is now complete."
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Now you know one of the many purposes of your personal success! It was to have the means, financial and influencial perhaps, to make possible a gathering of people who have an emotional attachment to the guest of honour, and no doubt to many other guests, and especially to an idea, a memory, a longing, a feeling of happiness, contentment and pride that "home" represents. This event may have been momentary, the duration of an evening, but it will last for the rest of your own and your guests’ lifetime. You have added another warm memory to all involved.
You have every reason to be proud, Steve. I am certain that you did this for humble reasons. Bravo!
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merci. Your comment reminds me of a wonderful quote by Patti Smith:
“There are those whom we seek and there are those whom we find. Occasionally we find – however fractured the relativity – one we recognize as kin. In doing so, certain curious aspects of character recede and we happily magnify the common ground.”
Couple interesting news tidbits:
• Our flickr photo made it into a Canadian newspaper (in Estonian).
• And, continuing on the other theme here, Tallinn was just deemed the Party Capital of the Year by the New York Times. It’s hard to compete with "pubs with handcuff-carrying waitresses" and… the piece de resistance… a "Medieval Lesbian Stripper Show" 😉Party Capital, O.K.
Party Capitol, not so good. -
Indeed, all my life, I have noticed how people seek out the common ground. We can be on the other side of town or far from our home country and, from comments and questions, search those who might hail from the same place, know the same people or have the same affinities or interests as our own. We feel so much more comfortable with those with whom we have commonalities. It does not seem to matter how much we have in common. We just need to have something familiar to hold on to. It is like making our foreign environment more familiar. It is like putting up wall hangings and taking out the "biblots" as soon as we move into a new home to make it OUR OWN HOME.
All of this effort we make to feel at home in this bubble that we find ourselves in when in close proximity to others dominates the effect that we are seeking. Consequently, all the unfamiliar, negative or potentially dissapointing aspects seem to fade. We always like to acknowledge and remember what makes us feel good!
I looked at the Canadian article and would love to be able to read it but…I have not started my classes in Estonian yet! And now that I know about the beauty and high caliber of Estonian, I should run to my class quite excited!
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well, the Estonian TV video just came out, and some of it is in English… Most of the commentary is to encourage entrepreneurship in Estonia…. And it ends, appropriately, with a shot of the flickr logo on my Mac… 😉
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Nice to have a voice go with the face! Nice to see movement replace stillness.
Quite a pile of papers on your desk! That is good; no boredom for you!
I find this pile most stimulating and motivating. The sunlight coming through the large windows must be so envigorating!btw: the end of the video was just of you.
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I was reading again my comments here from just over 12 months ago. I have been visiting each day and commenting regularly every since because it is the most interesting place in Flickr in my opinion.
Do you have any recent news from your connections in Estonia?
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Merci beaucoup! Very kind of you…
As for news, let me just share the humorous and sublime, in the spirit of some of last year’s comments in this thread…
This time in The New Republic, January 2007. Some quotes that made me smile:
"I traveled to Estonia–and found what appeared to be paradise."
"Estonia’s greatest blessing might well turn out to be the degree to which its hard-won liberty has heightened the awareness of what its people can now freely achieve in this world."
"Tallinn boasted what I can say were–without fear of hyperbole–the most jaw-droppingly beautiful women I have ever seen in my life."
Nice! =)
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time flies…
Noticing the "paradise" comment I made 4 years ago, the Dec 2010 Economist survey reported that Estonia was second only to the Ukraine for a female-skewed population. The top 5 were all from the former Soviet Republic band. Why? Stalin filled his Red Army with their men, and that death march is still felt today.
But it’s nothing like the male-skew of Qatar, UAE, Saudi, etc.
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I imagine that you are closer to Estonia than several years ago. The discovery of your heritage phase has probably transitioned into a phase of comfortable familiarity. It is part of you now more than ever, I suspect. A good thing.
Re men in army
A lesson for anyone and any nation: always try to foresee the consequences of your actions.
Another lesson: always honour the women in your life or population. They are valuable. They might even rule your home or country. -
We are patient. ;-))
The universe is changing, humanity is changing, individuals are changing. One day, we will be much wiser as a whole and women will be viewed with better respect. Then we will be able to let more women rule and perhaps give peace a chance
Since you speak of Lennon, here is the hotel where John Lennon and his bride stayed in May 26, 1969 for their very famous weekend bed-in for peace, in a room on the 17th floor. Le Reine Elizabeth is partially hidden here in the background.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimosa0/436753779/ -
Steve, I come back each year at the same date of my first comment here (for me it was on the 19th). I do not always say so but I do. This year, it is the 23rd because, on the 19th, I forgot that it was already this specific day.
Strangely, I was searching for my mother’s family name Béchard found in America (2034, that is double the number (adults) in Québec!). I typed in your name: http://www.americansurnames.us/surname/jurvetson
which gave nothing. Then I sent the link to T., and in my note (ask to read it), I also mentioned something about the movie I finally saw recently but said I will choose another moment to say something to you about it.Then, I stopped by his Facebook page. I ended up clicking on his Christmas card from the (new) president. I visited the official website and spent a very long time there in various sections. Then I went to visit websites about typical foods from Estonia before going to bed.
The next day, I realized the date but only had time to come here now, 4 days later. So, in a sense, on that same day as each year, I still thought about your roots and honoured your parent’s heritage and country of origin by visiting all things Estonian!
My mind was on Estonia that same day without ever remembering this date I always visit here! It was surely not a coincidence!
A long time has passed. Now that I saw the movie (more later about that), I see how much people of Estonia have experienced change. I know there is so much more that needs to change but the growth past and future is obvious and inevitable. The hope is smiling at us, singing in our ears! It must make your parent’s hearts feel warm and happy! Perhaps also a little sad for time lost, family connections lost, experiences lost and more. Yet, life has eventually been wonderful for your family! I am so happy about that! You are who you are because of your parents’ past. Their parents paid a price but you have all been blessed by opportunities. Now, you are appreciative of this specific family heritage. I am too.
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