Hence seeing the also beautiful Ukrainian blue and yellow flag already atop the ceremonial flagpole on the ramp to the rotunda was no surprise, although the slight disappointment of the realization that the Estonian-Canadian ceremony would not take place was there. That soon disappeared, after encountering Kairi Taul Hemingway in the lobby of City Hall. The President of the Estonian Central Council in Canada, EKN, had been there for the 9 a.m. Ukrainian ceremony and remained to inform Estonian-Canadians of the cancellation of the event. EKN had been advised of this city decision a mere two days before. They posted the information on their Facebook page, which for those who do not participate in social media, as is the case with the undersigned, was of little service.
No matter. Kairi informed me that the Estonian flag would be raised the next day; our tricolour would flutter prominently in Toronto’s downtown. And seeing as our celebratory assemblies always take place on weekends closest to the actual date of our declaration of independence, it was perhaps moot. It did happen, and that is the point. And should courage and grit prevail, next year, when we sing the Estonian anthem on a cold and windy day, we can mark the successful end of the war and Ukraine’s freedom.
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