On September 11, 2010, Pillerkaar danced at the Salisbury University event sponsored by the Sister Cities Association of Salisbury/Wicomico County and the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council.
His Excellency Väino Reinart, ambassador of Estonia to the United States, delivered a special greeting from Estonia and Salisbury’s sister city of Tartu during the presentation “Singing to My Sister”. Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach, and guests from the Maryland Legislature brought local greetings from Salisbury to the residents of Tartu. The event was videotaped and will be offered as a special gift of goodwill from Salisbury to the Embassy of Estonia and the Office of the Mayor in Tartu.
Salisbury has enjoyed a Sister City relationship with Tartu since 1999. The relationship grew out of the development work of the Maryland National Guard with the new democratic Estonian government after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Salisbury University launched a new study abroad program, Salisbury Abroad: Estonia, this fall. The program allows Salisbury University students to explore European and business studies in English at the University of Tartu. The program provides students with the opportunity to spend a full semester in Europe for costs comparable to a full semester at the main campus in Salisbury.
Pillerkaar’s dancers included Mauno & Jyri Erik Kork, Sirli Hill, Karen Heilman, Laila Oinas, Siiri Sutt as well as instructor/choreographer, Anu Oinas with grandson Hagan in full Estonian national dress. Dances included the riveting “Tule aga tule”; the symmetrical “Vigala reinlender”; the comedic “Polka burlesk”; the courting dances “Meie Mari” and “Kosjalugu”; and a specially choreographed “Laend-ler” from the “Sound of Music” based on authentic Austrian folk steps.
Pillerkaar will be performing again at the City of Bowie International Folk Festival at Allen Pond Park, Bowie, MD on October 2 (rain date 10/3), 2010.
Anu Oinas
