The Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia (ECFA) is pleased to announce the following funding for projects enhancing Estonian culture, language and heritage across Australia.
TOTAL AMOUNTS AWARDED $24,428
Funds were allocated this year to:
- Adelaide Estonian Dancers ‘Vikerkaar‘ $1,228
- Estonian Archives in Australia $700
- Estonian Children’s Playgroup in Sydney ‘Mudilasring‘ $3,000
- Estonians in Newcastle $1,000
- Estonian Society Sydney $5,000
- Kooskõlas Choir $4,000
- Sõrve Sõbrad Parents Committee
- Estonian Sõrve Children’s Camp $8,000
- Hans Ots Award $500
- Tasmanian Estonian Association $1,000
Adelaide Estonian Dancers Vikerkaar
$1,228 for the purchase of dance costumes, from Estonia, for the twelve children in the dance group, aged two to eleven years. The children always perform a small dance at festivals, the most popular item at any event and they are preparing for the Eesti Päevad at the end of 2024.
Estonian archives in Australia
$700 to purchase gallery track and hangers for the Archive’s art collection following the move to the new purpose-built Archive room. This will enable Estonian Art to be displayed for visitors to the Australian Archives.
Estonian Children’s Playgroup in Sydney Mudilasring
$3,000 to provide support to Mudilasring weekly playgroup, sharing Estonian language, music and culture among Estonian families and their young children, and strengthening the Estonian community in Sydney. The playgroup continues to be a place for Estonian families and children to meet, speak Estonian, sing, dance, and celebrate holidays.
Estonians in Newcastle
$1,000 to provide ongoing opportunities each month for Newcastle and Hunter region children to get acquainted with Estonian language and culture meetings through songs, dances, stories, games, cultural activities and excursions.
Estonian Society of Sydney
$5,000 to support the airfares required for the concert tour in early in 2024. Rein Rannap, virtuoso pianist, composer, songwriter has been invited to perform in Australia.
Kooskõlas Choir (Australia)
$4,000 to support airfares associated with bringing a conductor from Estonia, mid 2024, in order to work with the choir in camp and then to perform in a public concert in preparation for the Laulupidu 2025 audition process.
Estonian ‘Sõrve’ Childrens’ Camp 2024
$8,000 to support the annual summer camp, a key cultural and social Estonian community event, that has been running for over 60 years, and provides a rich experience for children and all adults, sharing customs, heritage, language, dancing and singing.
HANs Ots Grant
$500 to provide financial assistance to children or leaders who are resident in Australia and who, because of excessive cost of travel, financial or other hardship reasons would otherwise not be able to attend the annual children’s summer camp. In agreement, this year’s grant was reduced due to an existing fund surplus. The Hans Ots grant is provided by ECFA and administered by Sõrve Sõbrad
Tasmanian Estonian Association
$1,000 to provide support for a project to interview, record and digitise personal memories and experiences, the stories of Estonian migrants and their families in Tasmania.
