It represented something humble and strong about Estonian culture.
As the hours passed, one heard funny stories retold by good friends from across generations, just as much as one learned something new from subject matter experts. Each member has one or several things that they've devoted their 10,000 hours to, so to speak.
Vironia is an academic fraternity after all, and this is the spirit of Estonia's student organizations. A sharing of ideas and knowledge in a brotherly environment.
It was 20 degrees and sunny outside, making necessary precautions and the avoidance of an indoor gathering much easier to achieve. This was the first in-person Vironia gathering after several Zoom õllelauad (a kind of party-like reception, literally translated as “beer table”) over the spring and summer, and the chance to relax and catch up in person was welcome after so long. Still, to be extra careful, a sign-in sheet was used for contact tracing purposes. Hand sanitizer was used regularly.
A hearty spread of southern-style barbecue cuisine was set out for everyone, including smoked brisket, sausage, pulled pork, coleslaw, and macaroni salad. Many plates were filled to fuel the meet-up and activities from 1 to 5 PM.
There were a few games of giant jenga (here pronounced “yenga”) that was both aided and impeded by the September breeze and an uprising of sugar-hungry wasps. Vilistlane (a title which means “graduate”, applied to those who have completed their undergraduate studies) Burton Naylor was the champion, in a teetering match against vilistlane Mihkel Kütti.
There was a brief cornhole tournament, during which vilistlane Rob Koger won a close final match by a series of 3-pointers and some accidental points pushed in by the opponent.
Fotogalerii
It was a fascinating amalgam of Canadiana, Americana, and “Estoniana” shall we say? Though eestlus would probably be a more accurate word to use. Cornhole is what you would expect to see outside a Blue Jays game, or a Buffalo Bills game, based on the decorations of the raised boards used in this particular cornhole tournament.
Yet, attendees were dressed in shirts, blazers, and suits. From above, you could see the many teklid (student caps) and värvilindid (ribbons with Vironia's fraternity colours). All in violett, must, ja valge. Though it was an informal meet-up, it still retained the original qualities of this 120 year old organization.
There were also some photographs shown of the renovations currently underway in the fraternity room at Tartu College used by the fraternity members of Vironia, Sakala, Frat. Estica, and Ugala. The renovated room is planned to have a fixed space for the executive leadership table, hardwood floors, a new ceiling, and an improved HVAC system, to provide an up-to-date location for meetings and celebrations to take place well into the next 50 years of Tartu College.
The coming months are uncertain, even with the celebrations of Vironia's 120th anniversary year approaching. Members were able to spend some time with a familiar, friendly, and welcoming group. A patriotic association that persevered outside of Estonia during the almost 50 years that it was banned in occupied Estonia. In all this time, it's an organization that, as far as Canada is concerned, has adapted and brought together a special mix of Estonian and North American practices, but always continues to be a group where its members feel at home.
This article was written by Vincent Teetsov as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.
