From July 25-27th, over 200 members of the West Coast Estonian (and extended) community gathered for the 35th West Coast Estonian Days outside of Seattle, Washington at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino and Resort.
A true “village party” in a breathtaking setting, there was singing, dancing, music, sitting with friends around a fire or at a picnic table with beers, saun, sport, more singing, dancing and food – and even a reason to get dressed up! At the Rock and Roll Gala, the Seattle LEP2022 Organizing Committee, lead by Caroli Leiman, passed on the EOLL flag and the duties of organizing the next LEP to Mai-Liis Bartling and the San Francisco-Bay Area Estonians in 2026.
It was an honor to welcome Ann Hänni, Consul General of Estonia in San Francisco to the 35th West Coast Estonian Days.
As part of her greetings to open the Rahvapidu festivities, she presented Paul Aarne Raidna, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia for Washington State, with the Silver Medal. This decoration of merit of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Estonia recognizes his years of service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, beginning in 2007. The badge of silver, along with the text “Eesti Vabariigi välisministeerium” (Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Estonia) encircling the edge, has a globe in the center of the badge with the image of the three lions from the Republic of Estonia’s coat of arms, symbolizing the Foreign Ministry’s role of representing the Republic of Estonia in the world.
Congratulations, Paul!
Heli Ojamaa
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