Invited Guests:

Bishop Taul

Andres Taul was born in Tartu on 11 August, 1936 into a clerical family. He began his studies in Ireland and Germany, and graduated Oxford University with his bachelors and masters degrees. He defended his doctoral dissertation in the US in l966. He was ordained by Archbishop Kõpp in l961, the last pastor to be ordained by him.

Bishop Taul has served Estonian congregations in England, the USA, and Canada. He has been the pastor of the Toronto St. Peter’s congregation since l982. In l988 he was the first pastor of the E.E.L.K. (Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church) to visit Estonia. He was the first chairman of the church’s Song and Prayer Book committee, and a visiting lecturer and the first chaplain at the University of Tartu. He had the idea to restore the congregation at the university, and did so.

His wife, Eneri Taul, is an architect. The couple has a son, and two daughters, all of whom live in Canada. Andres’ father, Jaak (b. 1905) and his sisters Virge and Tiina live in England. Andres Taul has been honored with the medal of the Estonian Red Cross for his role in the preservation of Estonian culture in Canada.

Kajakas

Pärnu folk dance ensemble Kajakas was founded in 1951 and its current director is Rita Mändla. The ensemble is composed of 6 dance groups with dancers aged 12- 58. Of these six troupes, the advanced youth folk dance troupe will be coming to Portland.

Kajakas has performed in Europe, in Africa and also in America.  The dance group performs traditional Estonian folk dances, as well as theatrical and choreographed dance performances.

Kihnu Poisid

The folk band Kihnu Poisid was established in 1996 in Kihnu, a small island southwest of the mainland. The music group’s main aim is to restore old Kihnu sailor songs and bring these to their audience. “… the songs of the sea, the sailors and our brides who were left behind at the shore are particularly close to our hearts.”

In the past 15 years they have performed at all major Estonian folk festivals and have released two CD-s, which tell stories about the work and adventures of Kihnu sailors.

Ahto Nurk  and Virve Lääne

AHTO NURK and VIRVE LÄÄNE are representing the Tallinn singing club “Laulurõõm” (“ the Joy of Singing”), which was started 38 years ago by Ahto Nurk, who is still the leader of this club.

Ahto Nurk is the main conductor and producer of the Estonian Rahvamuusikapidu (Estonian Folk Music Festival), the main conductor of the Estonian Orchestra Director’s Folk Music Orchestra, an accordion teacher and a good accordion player himself.

Virve Lääne is the concertmaster and a conductor of the Estonian Orchestra Director’s Folk Music Orchestra, a teacher at Jõelähtme Music School and an accomplished violinist.

Together, they will offer a wide range of songs for the sing along club during the Estonian West Coast Days.

Kuld Lõvi

Introducing Kuld Lõvi, the official LEP2011 mascot!
Our courageous lion invites you to the Festival.
We have many new and fun events to celebrate our Estonian heritage.

Saage tuttavaks LEP2011 ametliku maskotiga – Kuld Lõvi!
Vapper Kuld Lõvi kutsub kõiki festivalile.
Tähistame oma eesti päritolu läbi uute ja toredate ürituste.