Vaba Eesti Sõna” Celebrates Serving American Estonians for 70 Years
The first edition of the “Vaba Eesti Sõna” (Free Estonian Word) newspaper was published on Saturday, June 11, 1949. The editor-in-chief was August Waldman. A single issue cost 15 cents and a subscription until the end of that year was $3. The paper’s first headline read: “MASS DEPORTATIONS IN ESTONIA. Once again, trains full of Estonians are rolling towards Siberia – a systematic eradication of the Estonian people. Desperate Estonians are waiting for war.”
From the Editor’s column…
Did you know that in 1948, Estonians were already celebrating their 50th anniversary in the United States? Unbelievable, but true – a half a century earlier, in 1898, the “Ameerika Eesti Heategev Selts” (American Estonian Charity Society) was founded, which about ten years later became the “New Yorgi Eesti Selts” (Estonian Society of New York).
First Estonian Electric Design Car Presented
Last weekend the first Estonian electric car “NOBE” (meaning: nimble, agile, quick), was presented in Tallinn. The first official test-driver of the Nobe 100 was Evelin Ilves, who is running as representive of the Greens Party in the upcoming European Parliament elections. The Nobe 100 is electric, has only three wheels and its design pays homage to classic cars of yesteryear. It is inspired by the Fiat 500, the Saab 96 and the Messerschmitt KR175, as well as the Mercedes 300SL of the 1950s.
