Quakers hold concert for war refugees
‘More families arrive [each] week.’ Roland Rand from the Tallinn Friends Group.
Quakers in Estonia hosted a concert to raise money for Ukrainian war refugees last month.
Tallinn Friend Roland Rand, who organised the concert with Merle Veesalu-Rand, said Dale Andrew from Paris Meeting performed the songs, running from classic numbers to popular hits.
Dale Andrew told the Friend: ‘The concert took place on the patio of a scenic café in the heart of Tallinn’s historic old town. Some forty people attended the outdoor performance of songs ranging from classical composers including French melodies, to American blues and French and Portuguese popular songs.’ Dale Andrew was accompanied by Estonian pianist Andrus Rannaääre. ‘The next day, Roland Rand, clerk of the Tallinn Worship Group, [and I] handed over the contributions collected at the concert to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre that is housing Ukrainian refugee families.’
Roland Rand said: ‘The song “Amar pelos Dois” by the young Portuguese singer-composer Salvador Sobral, who won the Eurovision contest in 2017, especially pleased the listeners. The blues-style song “Ain’t got no tears left” composed in 1944 by Leonard Bernstein about three American sailors on leave from the war in New York is very relevant in the context of the war… The reception was warm and the evening was perfect for the concert. The donations went to… help war refugees.’
Estonian Quakers helped set up The Tallinn Ukrainian School for Children of War Refugees earlier this year. It received over 2,000 applications from Ukrainian refugees and offered places to nearly 1,600 students. Roland Rand told the Friend: ‘The work with refugees is quite intensive, more families arrive [each] week. Tallinn Friends have already distributed some used computers, books and school supplies. The children are happy.’
For info on how to donate, email roland.rand@mail.ee.
You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.