Lõuna Florida Eesti Selts / Estonian Association of South Florida
History
- Founding & Mission (1977): Established in 1977, ENASF has for nearly fifty years provided a welcoming space for Estonians in South Florida—whether permanent residents, seasonal visitors (“snowbirds”), or guests. Its founding mission embraces Estonian culture, language, history, and tradition, connecting diasporic Estonians with their heritage and with one another Wikipedia+11uaflorida.org+11Florida Estos+11.
- Cultural Celebrations: Over the decades, the Association has hosted annual celebrations of Estonian Independence Day (Eesti Vabariigi aastapäev). For the 95th anniversary in 2013, LFES organized a commemorative program in Atlantis, FL, featuring an invocation by Pastor Ants Tooming from Estonia, documentary screenings, and tributes to Estonian war heroes. The day also marked the induction of Florida’s two new Estonian honorary consuls
- Diplomatic Engagement & Global Collaboration: In March 2022, ENASF held its Independence Day luncheon at Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach, welcoming notable guests including Estonia’s Consul General in New York Kairi Künka, UN Ambassador Sven Jürgenson, and KESKUS Project Lead Ellen Valter. The meeting opened discussions on collaboration between Floridian organizations and the forthcoming KESKUS International Estonian Centre in Canada eestielu.ca+7eestielu.ca+7estoniancentre+7.
- Ongoing Diplomatic Services: ENASF continues to serve as a host location for official consular missions. For instance, in February 2025, the Estonian Consul Tarmo Punnik held document‑service sessions at Finland House (Lantana), followed by the 107th Independence Day celebration at the same venue on February 15th. These events allowed Estonians in Florida to renew passports, update fingerprints, and engage with Estonian diplomatic staff directly
ENASF stands as a pillar of cultural continuity for Estonians in South Florida—a home away from home. Beyond festive gatherings, it offers meaningful connections across generations, fosters ties with Estonian diplomacy, supports cultural projects like KESKUS, and preserves deep narratives of Estonian displacement, identity, and resilience.
Estonian and Baltic Links
Seltsi Ajalugu
Organisatsiooni originaalne põhikiri võeti vastu 11. juunil 1977.
Meie asutaja liige, Harald Hinno, saatis Eesti Rahvuskomiteele Ühendriikides augustis 1977 järgmise teate:
“Lugupeetud härrad,
Käesolevaga teatan, et Florida osariigis kutsuti ellu ja astus ametlikult tegevusse uus rahvuslik eestlaste organisatsioon nimetuse all Lõuna Florida Eestlaste Koondis.
Koondise põhikiri võeti vastu 11. juunil 1977 a. Põhikirja kohaselt on Lõuna Florida Eestlaste Koondise ideoloogiliseks eesmärgikson koondad demokraatlikke, rahvuslikult mõtlevaid eestlasi ühiseks tegevuseks tuleviku vaba demokraatlik Eesti taassünni saavutamiseks.
Koondise juhatuse nimel palun Lõuna Florida Eestlaste Koondis arvesse võtta eksisteeriva eestlaste rahvusliku organisatsioonina. Koondis loodab viljakat koostööd Eesti Rahvuskomiteega Ühendriikides.”
Seltsi esimeeste nimekiri:
1977 – 1989 Harald Hinno
1990 – 2000 Aleksander Erton
2001 – 2005 Villu Maldur
2006 – 2008 Oswald Riisma
2009 – 2016 Arno Kallas
2016 – 2018 Kurmet Hõim
2019 – 2023 Veljo Kurik
2023 - ... Terje Hill
01. aprillil 2000 oli valimisel kas lõpetada või jätkata LFEK tegevus. 28 liiget soovisid jätkata, 14 lõpetada. 15 ei valinud. 2010 – Meie Seltsi uuendatud põhikiri võeti vastu liikmete poolt septembri kuul. 11. märts 2013 – Koondise nimi muudeti Lõuna Florida Eesti Seltsiks.
HISTORY OF OUR ORGANISATION
In August of 1977 Harald Hinno, one of the founding members, informed the Estonian American National Council of the establishment of Estonian National Association of South Florida. The Organization was born on July 11, 1977 at which date the bylaws were adopted. The new organization’s ideological purpose at that time was to unite local, nationalistically thinking Estonians to work for the future revival of a democratic Estonia. In September 2010 the organization adopted a new constitution.
Letter regarding establishment of Estonian National Association of South Florida in 1977.