Perhaps this nostalgia rises strongly from the fact that the founders of Seedrioru were from the Estonian societies, eesti seltsid in smaller cities (Hamilton, Kitchener, St Catharines and London) in Southern Ontario. They are a special breed of Estonians. Often from the islands. Volunteers have donated thousands and thousands of hours since 1955, when an old farmstead on the banks of the Grand River was purchased in the interest of providing a cultural experience for Estonian children, ensuring that they would speak their mother tongue in the process. Seedrioru’s cottage leaseholders and supporters are of a different make than those from the Big Smoke, Hogtown, where trying to be cosmopolitan results often in a prevailing divisive attitude.
This year’s Suvihari was truly memorable. Perfect summer weather, clear and sunny, a mild breeze to keep the mosquitoes away. So unlike the times when performers and audience sweltered in muggy, humid air whilst trying to swat the skeeters. Hard to recall such a day at Seedrioru in recent decades.
(Read more: Estonian Life No. 27 2022 paber- and PDF/digi
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