Estonian honorary consul in Atlanta has spent years promoting his homeland's culture
Aadu Allpere, Estonia's honorary consul in Atlanta, US, and his wife Kristi Vuht-Allpere have long introduced Americans to Estonian culture. They recently hosted a reception with visiting Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Aadu Allpere, Estonia's honorary consul in Atlanta, Georgia, and his wife Kristi Vuht-Allpere have spent years introducing Americans to Estonian culture. Both belong to the refugee generation displaced by World War II and Estonia's occupation. They say the culture is an easy sell, because there is so much to talk about.
Allpere was born in Tallinn and Vuht-Allpere in Pärnu. He arrived in the United States at the age of nine, studied business and commerce at the University of Pennsylvania and worked for 30 years at the Coca-Cola Company, including as president of its operations in Austria and five Eastern European countries. He now runs a healthcare center specializing in foot care. The couple returned to Atlanta in 1993, where Coca-Cola work had first brought them decades earlier. He became the local honorary consul in 2011.
Reception and exhibition at the symphony hall
Both are classical music fans and season-ticket holders of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Late last month they organized a reception with visiting Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska and set up an exhibition on Estonian musical culture in the lobby of Atlanta Symphony Hall. They decided to arrange it as soon as they saw Poska's name on the upcoming season calendar.
"As Estonians, music is part of our soul," Allpere said, adding that Estonian music is well known worldwide. Vuht-Allpere, who volunteers locally, said they have taken Americans along to Estonia, including to the Song Festival.
Wanting more Estonian performers
The couple would like more Estonian performers to appear in Atlanta. Vuht-Allpere said the city sometimes feels overlooked when Estonian choirs and conductors tour New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, which have larger diaspora communities. Allpere also sees Georgia as attractive for Estonian businesses, but so far he has not attracted any.
According to Vuht-Allpere, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has operated in the black for 12 years, while its volunteer committee must raise more than $3.5 million a year. This year the goal is expected to be exceeded.
