According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, the International Estonian KESKUS, which opened yesterday, 20 August, in Toronto, Canada, is a clear sign of the vitality of the Estonian community abroad and its determination to preserve and promote the Estonian language and culture and maintain ties with Estonia. It is the largest project undertaken by the Estonian community abroad in the past half-century.
“Located in the heart of Toronto, KESKUS will help make Estonia more visible and better known in North America, thereby opening doors for our businesses, creating new contacts and also strengthening our security. The higher Estonia’s international profile and the more friends we have, the stronger Estonia is,” Tsahkna said.
According to the Foreign Minister, KESKUS will also play an extremely important role in bringing the Estonian community in Canada together and maintaining its ties with Estonia.
“Every Estonian living abroad is of great value to Estonia. KESKUS gives Estonians in Canada a place to come together and keep the Estonian language and culture and their connection with Estonia alive,” the Foreign Minister said.
The opening of KESKUS is being celebrated in Toronto with a four-day festival bringing together Estonian music, art and fashion, as well as discussions on Estonia’s education system.
The completion of KESKUS has been supported by Estonians and friends of Estonia around the world, with the Estonian and Canadian governments also contributing to the project.
The building was designed by Estonian-Canadian architect Alar Kongats, a multiple recipient of Canada’s highest architectural honour, who incorporated Estonian motifs into the design. Among them, the building’s angular contours create the shape of a map of Estonia in the KESKUS courtyard. KESKUS will house a concert hall, library, classrooms, office space, an Estonian community bank and a restaurant serving Estonian cuisine.
More information about the KESKUS project.
Additional information:
Communication Department
[email protected]
www.vm.ee | @MFAestonia