In times of peace, it’s easy to forget how important the ties that bind us can be. In times of global strife and uncertainty however, the significance of our relations with our neighbors, and our alliances with like minded people, quickly return to the forefront.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the home of the New Jersey Latvian Society – Priedaines – for the first time, to join in their 75th anniversary celebration. My husband and I were warmly received, and our first impression was the remarkable resemblance that the interior bore to that of the Lakewood Estonian House, right down to the layout of the main hall and the paintings lining the walls. Clearly, great Baltic minds think alike!
We thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, which began with a concert featuring Latvian folk singer Inga Karpiča, who performed several lyrical and melodic Latvian songs, and was followed by remarks and greetings by representatives of other Latvian organizations. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs then offered his greeting and remarks, at the end of which he took questions from the audience on a wide variety of topics. His responses were thoughtful and thorough, and he took every single question, until there were none left. Before taking his leave, President Rinkēvičs presented his congratulations to Latvian Society member Valiju Skrodeli, who was celebrating her 100th birthday, and helped lead the champagne toast to her.
As the celebration waned and we made our goodbyes however, what was striking was the number of people who noted the importance of continued collaboration between the various societies and organizations of the Baltic diaspora community. I lost count of how many people invited us back, offered their facilities for joint events, and asked if they could count on us for the Baltic Unity Day program on October 19.
To be honest, when writing my greeting on behalf of the Lakewood Estonian Society, I had been concerned that I was perhaps striking too somber a note for a day of celebration. At the end of the day however, it was clear that everyone in the room shared the same thoughts and concerns. We hope for the best from the future, but have learned from the past to be prepared, and know that our greatest strength lies in unity. Hopefully sharing my remarks will remind more of us that in these difficult times, we need to focus on what unites us, and leave to one side what divides us. It is only when we ignore the chatter of those who seek to sow discord among us, and instead stand together, confident in our reliance upon one another, that we can come up on the right side against our common and formidable foes.
Ladies and gentleman and distinguished guests,
My name is Aino-Liis Vanderer Tõõtsov, and it is my honor to represent the Lakewood Estonian Association, and the larger Estonian community of the tri-state area, at this auspicious event. This year you, our brothers and sisters in the Baltic community, mark the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Latvian Society in New Jersey, and we are delighted to offer our congratulations and best wishes as you celebrate.
For 75 years, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with you, first building strong and thriving diaspora communities in the wake of World War II, and later spending decades fighting for the freedom of our homelands, marching, protesting, and lobbying for the fall of the iron curtain and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
All of you have much to be proud of, but special credit goes to people who endured the horrors of war, only to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes to build community centers such as Priedaines, and establish schools, churches, choirs, dance troops, scouting and all manner of other organizations that kept the torch of hope lit in those dark decades of oppression. I do not doubt that their contributions to your community have been many, and that their courage, tenacity, strength and cheerfulness can serve as an example to us all.
In 1991, the collective dreams of our communities came true as freedom finally arrived in the Baltics. Everyone’s focus shifted then, and your community pivoted successfully to rebuilding and strengthening ties with Latvia, and reenergizing the next generation both here and abroad to explore and embrace their heritage, be it through language, song, dance or travel back to Latvia, to explore and even settle and work in the homeland of their ancestors.
Your nation worked hard to establish itself as a rightful member of the European community, achieving EU and NATO membership in 2004. Today, Latvia continues to shoulder it’s responsibilities as an equal among nations, with the support of both it’s citizenry, and the members of it’s diaspora community. You can and should be proud of the part that your community has played in keeping the flame of Latvian language and culture lit for all of these years, when others sought to extinguish it forever.
On behalf of Helica DeShaw, our chairwoman, and all of the membership of the Lakewood Estonian Association, I congratulate you on the milestone of your diamond anniversary. Priedaine has seen many joyous occasions and events unfold on its grounds over the years, and we wish you at least another 75 years of joy and celebration.
Congratulations once again, and long live Latvia.
Aino-Liis Vanderer Tõõtsov
