On Saturday, October 1, at the Latvian cultural center “Priedaine” more than 100 Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians met to demonstrate their unity and friendship. Around 1950 there was a large influx of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians into New Jersey. In those beginning years the three baltic nations worked together to explain their tragedy to their fellow americans. With the fall of the Soviet Union and regained freedom, the baltic unity efforts slowed.
However, today it appears that history could repeat itself because Russia is trying to exert influence on its “near abroad”. That is why the Baltic peoples of New Jersey started organizing the “Baltic Unity Day” event last year. This year the Latvians hosted the event at “Priedaine”. After presentation of national colors the Rev. Ieva Pusmucane-Kineyko held a convocation. Then Priit Parming, president of the Lakewood Estonian Society toasted the United State of America. Juhan Simonson proposed a toast to the Republic of Estonia. Rasa Milute, the president of Central New Jersey Lithuanian society toasted the Republic of Lithuania. Janis Students, president of the New Jersey Latvian Sociey made a toast to the Republic of Latvia.
The Estonian singer and guitarist Tarmo Tammaru sang three Estonian songs. After that the Latvian singer and violinist Gunta Pantele sang several Latvian folk songs. The Lithuanian folk dancers “ Viesulas” presented three folk dances.
At the end of the event the Latvian ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics congratulated the three New Jersey baltic organizations on the 20th Anniversary of their regained independence. He thanked the three organizers for showing solidarity in better defending the interests of our three nations in the United States. He lauded the decision to work together and urged that the spirit of solidarity be retained forever.
The Estonian Consul General from New York, Sten Schwede, also aplauded the event as a positive demonstration of Baltic unity and friendship. Similar feelings were expressed by Valdemaras Sarapinas, the Lithuanian Consul. They were all proud of the fact that the three nations have joined NATO and the European Union. All three diplomats urged that we maintain and strengthen our unity as we did during the time of baricades and the chain of freedom across all three Baltic nations.
“Baltic Unity Day” is also celebrated in all three Baltic nations.
Janis Students
