The loss of Priit Vesilind is the loss of a cultural treasure. In addition to a venerable journalism career, Priit was a champion of KESKUS, keen on it from the outset, promoting it at every opportunity, and this is how I came to know him personally.
He was the stuff of legend. Seemingly every Estonian household kept a copy or two of the National Geographic magazines containing his articles on Estonia under glass, should it be needed to validate and legitimize our story. As WW2 faded into history, our homeland was still in that war, unresolved.
Priit’s articles not only affirmed our history for ourselves, copies were kept at the ready to put under a guest’s nose – see? There it is in print, in National Geographic no less!
I came to witness the intellectual rigour he applied to our diaspora community and its complex internal relationships, and with government here and independent Estonia.
Though Priit and I had met many times before, the KESKUS project brought us to working together. I came to witness the intellectual rigour he applied to our diaspora community and its complex internal relationships, and with government here and independent Estonia.
He hoped the North American Estonian diaspora community would see itself as united, whatever state, national, provincial boundaries otherwise demarcate. He noted that thick layers of loyalty and resistance need to break down, for Estonians to see the potential of a North American centre and devise ways to use it.
In one of his emails, he wrote of “the loss of a goal or mission among American Estonians for the past few decades; perhaps this [KESKUS] Project could restore some of that sense of patriotic mission, and motivate them to again serve their Homeland”.
He gave the KESKUS capital campaign the names of donor categories: Kalevipoja Laud, Viru Vanemad, and Kungla Rahvas.
Priit went all-in, he was determined to break down those layers and help unite the diaspora. He travelled to Toronto on his own dime to promote the project, meeting with politicians and dignitaries. He gave the KESKUS capital campaign the names of donor categories: Kalevipoja Laud, Viru Vanemad, and Kungla Rahvas. He penned multiple letters of support for the project, and below is just one of them, from 2020. He was eager to work on the time capsule into KESKUS.
He was a pleasure to work with not just because of his cheerful roll-up-your-sleeves attitude, but because his views were born of a lifetime of considering our émigré community.
Our telephone and email conversations dwindled as his illness progressed and limited his abilities. But in one his last emails, he wrote “I wish you and your committee the greatest success; I think that what you're doing is a most important development in Estonian emigre strength. Estonia is already carrying more than its weight in the world, and this centre will put an exclamation point on the life of Estonians abroad. With admiration, Priit”.
And of course, Priit would spell it “centre”.
Puhka rahus kallis Priit, condolences to his whole family.
——
Priit’s vision for KESKUS in his own words:
Head sõbrad,
When I first learned of plans for the International Estonian Centre in Toronto I thought, Yes! This is the dynamic boost the Estonian community needs! Toronto made perfect sense; Ontario has the largest population of Estonian heritage in North America, and Toronto has long been a beacon for Estonian emigration. I was also optimistic that Canadian and U.S. Estonians would come to share the development of the project, to view it as the gateway to all of North America for the technological and cultural prowess of the new Estonia, often known as the “Baltic Tiger.”
Estonians are no longer the small, sad people whose patriotism depends on victimhood. The new Estonia is an example of how smart government, technological talent, and a lauded education system can uplift a small nation into international prominence. Estonians abroad, who put their hearts and energy into the fight against Soviet occupation for five decades, now can take the next step, and help create an Estonian presence here in North America that matches and complements the dynamism of the homeland.
With Estonia’s second century of independence underway, the theme of “Honoring our Past and Building for the Future” is something we should all take very seriously. The International Estonian Centre represents the largest project the Estonian diaspora has undertaken in more than 50 years. It will showcase our culture, heritage and contributions to North American Society. It will create a vibrant link between new generations of those with Estonian heritage. It will serve as a proud entry point for arriving Estonian business missions and touring groups. I encourage every one of you to participate in supporting the project.
Viime selle läbi koos!
Priit Vesilind
