Tallinn to take part in the Tall Ships Races 2021

To celebrate the 65th year of the Tall Ships Races and Regattas, it was announced that the 2021 route will take place in the Baltic Sea. Between 27 June - 3 August 2021, the international Tall Ships fleet will visit five countries for a series of races and spectacular maritime celebrations.

The Tall Ships Races 2021 offers a total of around 1,500 nautical miles of racing in the Baltic Sea. This region has been a popular sea area with Tall Ships from around the world, with up to 100 vessels taking part in previous Baltic race series.

The event will start on Sunday 27 June and continue through until Tuesday 3 August with three fantastic races and a Cruise-in-Company. The race series will take the Tall Ships to five different ports across five countries – Klaipeda in Lithuania, St Petersburg in Russia, Tallinn in Estonia, Mariehamn in Åland and Szczecin in Poland.

For more information, please click here: THE TALL SHIPS RACES 2021: FIVE PORTS ANNOUNCED

New study reveals Estonians are the world's biggest bookworms

A new study from researchers at the Australian National University and University of Nevada in the US has revealed which countries are the world’s biggest bookworms and Estonia tops the list!

Researchers surveyed adults across 31 countries, between the ages of 25 and 65, and asked them how many books they had in their home when they were 16.

On average Australians owned 148 books per household compared to 114 in the US. In Estonia that number is significantly higher at 218 books per home. Furthermore 35% of those Estonian surveyed revealed they in fact owned 350 books or more.

Estonians top the charts with an average of 218 books per house when they were 16.

We love our books!

Trailer ‘Coming home soon - The refugee children of Geislingen’

Thousands of Estonians were left displaced after World War Two. Many sought refuge in Germany to escape the horrors of the second Soviet Occupation. Helga Merits' new film Coming Home Soon - the refugee children of Geislingen provides an insight into the plight of the Estonian people as they tried to rebuild their lives.

Happy World Post Day / Postage Stamp Day!

If you are like me and enjoy collecting stamps then you'll be pleased to know that the 9th of October is World Post Day. Eesti Post releases many beautiful Estonian stamps throughout the year including this special silver stamp commemorating the Republic of Estonia's 100th birthday.

All of Eesti Post's stamps can be purchased online and shipped anywhere in the world.

For more information, please click here: Eesti Post

Kehra Mill turns 80

For the past eighty years the paper and pulp mill in Kehra has stood tall, a prominent feature in the small community. In honour of the mill's 80th birthday, Kehra museum has an exhibition running until December 1 on the mill's history. Kehra Mill was established in 1937 and on the 25th August 1938 a new sulfate pulp mill was inaugurated at the plant. President Päts was in attendence on the day as was my great-grandfather Arthur Lestal who took numerous photographs of the event. Many of the photographs on display at the exhibution were taken by Arthur.

Photographs taken by Arthur Lestal at the Kehra Mill in 1938.

People waiting at Kehra railway station for the arrival of President Päts.

Inauguration of the new sulfate pulp mill.

Newspaper articles from the opening in 1938. 

Kehra Mill was originally 100% stated owned until it was purchased by the Tolaram Group of Singapore in 1995. The mill was then renamed “Horizon Pulp & Paper” Ltd.

For more information: Horizon / Kehra Mill

Teet Daaniel becomes the first Estonian to swim the English Channel / La Manche

On the 27th September 2018 Teet Daaniel completed this third of seven ocean challenges by swimming across The English Channel. Previously he successfully swam across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe to Africa and the Catalina Channel near Los Angeles. 

Teet left the shores of Dover at 1:30am and swam 34 kilometres to reach France. Battling temperature changes and tides, the challenge took 14 hours to complete.

To learn more, this ERR News report includes video : Teet Daaniel ujus esimese eestlasena üle La Manche'i väina

Congratulations to Andrei Nazarov and Ksenija Balta who were married in Tallinn today!

Andrei and Ksenija are two of Estonia's finest athletes. They are a winning team both on and off the field. Today they tied the knot in Tallinn with close family and friends.  

Congratulations cousin Andrei! I wish you and your new bride  every happiness in the world!

To see the photo gallery of their special day, please see the Delfi news article:
FOTOD | Hõissa, pulmad! Ksenija Balta ja Andrei Nazarov tegid jumala palge ees oma pikaaegse suhte ametlikuks