Estonia: not your average bucket list destination

Happy Restoration of Independence Day! Head Taasiseseisvumispäev!

Today, Estonians across the globe celebrate the 34th anniversary of the restoration of independence. In 1991, after enduring fifty long years of Soviet occupation, Estonia finally restored its statehood. It was a deeply cherished longing in the heart of every Estonian and today we celebrate our country's freedom, never taking it for granted.

The beloved blue, black and white national flag will be raised on all commercial, government and office buildings today and will also be proudly displayed in every Estonian home. 

The city of Tallinn will mark the restoration of Estonia's independence with a variety of events that can be found here. Elagu Eesti!

Arnold Ruutel recalls how Estonia's independence was restored

The lost Estonian county of Petserimaa

Petseri County (Petserimaa) was a historical Estonian county that existed from 1918 until 1944.  As a settlement, Petseri was built around a monastery founded in the year 1473. On the 26th of February 1918, German troops occupied Petseri until Estonia took control of the area during the Estonian War of Independence. With the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty in 1920, Petseri officially remained the territory of the Republic of Estonia. Historically, Petseri is considered the cultural capital of the Seto people.

After 1944, most of the territory, including the town of Petseri (Pechory) was illegally incorporated into Russia and became part of the Pskov Oblast. Estonia retains a portion of the original territory, which is now part of Setomaa Parish in modern Võru County. 

According to the 1934 census, out of 64,712 inhabitants of Petseri County, 65.06% were Russian, 32.36% Estonian, and 2.29% Latvian. Many of the ethnic Estonians who once lived in Petseri have since relocated to live on the Estonian side of the border. Today, under Russian administration the population of Pechory has been in steady decline. Population statistics reveal that figures have dropped from 13,056 inhabitants in 2002 to 11,196 in 2010 and 9,808 in 2023.

Historic photograph. 

 

Photo from Päewaleht newspaper 3rd July 1939 

In early July 1939 a song festival concert was held at the exhibition grounds in Petseri. 60 choirs with 2,500 singers took part. The event was attended by approximately twenty thousand people from all over Estonia. Guests of honour included the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General J. Laidoner and his wife, Mrs. L. Eenpalu, Minister A. Oidermaa and Minister of Roads N. Viitak and his wife. 

Today, Estonians consider the centre of Setomaa to be Värska.

Estonia ranks number one in the world for human rights in 2024

Once again Estonia outshines its peers when it comes to fundamentally important issues in society. Estonia's constitution and laws provide a strong foundation for human rights. Including freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and protection against discrimination. Estonia may be a small nation but it has big standards when it comes to dignity, equality, and respect for all.

 

 

The top 15 countries in the world for Human Rights are: 

Ernst Rudolf Jaakson: The world’s longest serving diplomat

Today marks 120 years since the birth of Ernst Rudolf Jaakson who was the longest-serving diplomat in history. Jaakson had an unwavering belief in Estonia's independence and his dedication to maintaining its legal continuity ensured that Estonia's statehood was never forgotten. Jaakson was a symbol of Estonia’s statehood whilst living in exile in the USA.  His diplomatic career spanned 69 years.

 

Ernst Jaakson 1905- 1998 

Jaakson studied economics at the University of Latvia in Riga, and law at the University of Tartu. He later graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in economics.

In 1969, Jaakson issued a statement on behalf of Estonia to the Apollo 11 goodwill messages. Leaders of 73 countries from around the world contributed to the Apollo 11 goodwill messages. These messages were stored on a disc made of silicon and was left on the Moon in 1969 by the Apollo 11 astronauts.  

 

 

Ernst Jaakson was the chief diplomatic representative of Estonia in the United States until Estonia regained independence in 1991.  

 

Symbol of Dawn: The life and times of Estonian poet Lydia Koidula

A new revised edition of Madli Buffalo's book Symbol of Dawn has been published by the University of Tartu Press. Symbol of Dawn introduces the life and works of Lydia Koidula to the English reader and also provides a good overview of 19th century Estonia. Lydia Koidula was the first great poet to write in the Estonian language.

Symbol of Dawn can be purchased directly from the publisher here. 

Estonia ranks 8th most relaxing place in the world

BookRetreats.com has created the Global Relaxation Index to find the world’s most relaxing destinations. Based on the analysis of nine metrics, the study scores 76 countries across key categories including safety, solitude, serenity, nature, and wellness. In Estonia, once you get out of the city, nature takes over. It is abundant, beautiful and works on its own timetable. It literally forces you to relax.  Here are twenty of the world's most relaxing holiday destinations.

Celebrating the Estonian Year of the Book

This year we celebrate the Year of the Estonian Book to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the first known mention of a book written in the Estonian language. Estonian writers have produced many great literary works over the years with Tammsaare's Truth & Justice at the top of the list as a 'must read'. Literary translations make it possible for Estonian stories to reach a wider audience. The most common languages Estonian books are translated into are German, Finnish, English and French. 

I'm proud of my little collection of Estonian books. I'm particularly fond of reading books set during the Hanseatic period. For years I have been eagerly awaiting another Apothecary Melchior novel to be translated into English.  So far there have only been two (out of eight) a third book in the series has been translated, but into French rather than English.

Here is a list of some of the most highly regarded Estonian books that everyone should read.

Truth and Justice (Tõde ja õigus) by A.H. Tammsaare
Son of Kalev (Kalevipoeg) by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald
Names in Marble (Nimed marmortahvlil) by Albert Kivikas
Between Three Plagues by Jaan Kross
The Milkman of the Manor (Mäeküla piimamees) by Eduard Vilde
The Tzar's Madman (Keisri hull) by Jaan Kross
The Man Who Spoke Snakish by Andrus Kivirähk
Apothecary Melchior and the Mystery of St Olaf's Church by Indrek Hargla