One detail carries a life forward: Pathway to Freedom
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Update # 278
Quarrying is underway in Kaarma, Saaremaa, Estonia, as is cutting and honing the stone that will form the courtyard and rooftop of KESKUS International Estonian Centre in downtown Toronto, opening in August 2026.
The stones are ready to be engraved, and just under 100 stones remain available at the time of publication of this post.
Estonians around the world are invited to share a detail of their family's pathway to freedom, whether to North America or elsewhere. From those indescribable times of upheaval, loss, uncertainty — you can contribute one specific moment from that journey.
One detail. Carry a life forward.
This is not meant to be a headstone or a static tribute. By combining many fragments of lived moments, the enormity of what the Estonian people endured becomes understandable, relatable, human. Some examples of wording on purchased stones:
What stays with us are the specifics: an urgent wave to those left behind, a name changed at the border just in case, a treasured sewing machine traded for a boat motor. In a time of monumental turmoil and terror, both large and small decisions hold equal space in the moment—each detail builds on split-second choices that determine fateful movement toward an unknowable future.
Through the Pathway to Freedom project at KESKUS, these stories, told with care, will quite literally, be carved in stone. We’re not looking for the play-by-play. We’re looking for the specific, human, and true. The colour.
Submission deadline is asap, the engraving is underway now. After April 15th, additional engraving will become a challenge to schedule into one of the 12 containers carrrying a layer of Saaremaa, Estonia that will be laid in concentric circles into the courtyard of KESKUS International Estonian Centre .
Add your family's voice. Honour the complexity. It will, reside for generations to come, in the heart of North America's 4th largest city. These stones will preserve this chapter of history, and continue to tell our stories even after we're gone. /// Igal eestlasel on loendamatuid lugusid oma pere saatusest. Hoiame oma rahva ajalugu päevakorras, et ka me enda tulevased põlvkonnad seda ei unustaks.
Each paver stone is approximately 12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm). The cost per paver is tax receipted. The paver itself is CDN$1,944 which amount is a nod to the year of the mass flight from Estonia, 1944. Engraving is an additional $200 fee. Engravings are in English and limited to 75 characters or fewer (including spaces).
KESKUS International Estonian Centre in downtown Toronto will be a dynamic hub showcasing our rich heritage and promoting Estonian innovation. It will be a vibrant gathering place for Estonians of all generations and backgrounds to connect, celebrate, and share our culture and achievements with each other and the world.
Stay abreast of project progress by signing up for the newsletter here. /// Pane end kirja uudiskirja saajaks siin ja jälgi ehituse kulge!
Discover the benefits of giving wisely
Please join the growing list of KESKUS capital campaign donors to help bring KESKUS to completion. KESKUS leadership donors are recognized here.
There are many ways to make a contribution to KESKUS.
To donate, click here, or call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All donations are issued a tax receipt, in Canada via Estonian Arts Centre, US tax receipts via Myriad USA and Estonian tax receipts via Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond. Donations by credit card may be made here.
Legacy gifts made to the Estonian Arts Centre, the charity associated with KESKUS, are creative and tax-effective ways to provide support. These are known as “planned gifts” because with thoughtful planning, we create a win-win situation that benefits both you and our community for generations to come. Find out how to provide a bequest in your will by going to www.estoniancentre.ca/bequest.
For information on making other types of planned gifts, including gifts of appreciated securities or insurance policies, or if you have any other questions, please contact EAC Donations Manager Taimi Hooper via email at donations@estoniancentre.ca or phone +1.647.250.7136.
Let’s keep in touch
Comments