On Saturday May 23rd, Tartu College hosted VEMU Estonian Museum Canada’s 14th annual fundraising dinner. With the theme “Save Our Story: Why VEMU Matters Now”, this year's benefit directly supported an urgent $4-million campaign to renovate and secure the VEMU archival repository (the largest collection of Estonian cultural heritage outside Estonia) which currently faces severe space limitations and environmental risks. Designed by Alar Kongats, the upcoming overhaul will modernize the facility with compact mobile shelving and specialized preservation rooms, laying the groundwork for the future VEMU building.
The evening featured a timely keynote on the current security situation by Peeter Tali, Chairman of the Estonian-Canadian Friendship Group of the Estonian Parliament, whose visit was organized in cooperation with the Estonian Embassy in Ottawa. Underscoring solidarity with Ukraine, the event included a performance by Ukrainian-Estonian pianist and Klassikatähed 2025 winner Havryil Sydoryk, the exhibition Unissued Diplomas: Ukrainian Student War Victims, and Ukrainian cuisine by Baby Point Lounge, with a portion of all ticket sales donated to support Ukraine.
Photos by Peeter Põldre
Fotogalerii
