Photo flashback: Café Marcelle / Jegorov House

In the early 1920s, Estonia's first cabaret dancing couple, 'René and Marcelle' (real names Bernhard Leer and Rosalie Leer), raised a large sum of money to open Café Marcelle in the basement of Jegorov House in Tallinn. Café Marcelle opened in 1925 and quickly became one of the city's premiere hotspots. It was celebrated for hosting The Murphy Band, who were known as Estonia's first professional jazz orchestra. 

The Jegorov House building has an interesting history.

  

In 1918, a wealthy Russian textiles merchant by the name of Iwan Jegorovitš (Ivan Jegorov) purchased a massive block of buildings in the heart of Tallinn's Old Town. He transformed the entire block spanning Raekoja plats, Kinga, Pikk, and Mündi streets into a modern, prestigious commercial and residential complex, designed by renowned architect Artur Perna. During this time Raekoja plats 8 became known as Jegorov House. 

 

Café Marcelle was located at Raekoja plats 8 in Jegorov House. 

 

Jegorov was one of the wealthiest Russians in Tallinn during this period. He was well-known not only for building a highly successful business empire in trade and real estate, but also for his charitable contributions. He gave generously to the Orthodox Church in Estonia, and he frequently supported the poor and orphanages. Jegorov's life was cut short when he was arrested by the NKVD during the Soviet occupation in August 1940. He was deported to the Gulag system and died in a Siberian prison camp in 1942.

 

Iwan Jegorovitš (Ivan Jegorov 1875–1942) 

During the Soviet occpuation of  Estonia, Café Marcelle's name, which was considered too Western, was first changed to Laine and subsequently to Vana Toomas. In 2002, the historic restaurant was completely renovated and named Maikrahvi after a medieval legend. Today, the Maikrahvi complex also includes a café overlooking Raekoja plats, which continues to bear the name of Vana Toomas.

Estonian historic figure: Jakob Hurt

Jakob Hurt was a pivotal Estonian folklorist, theologian, linguist, and academic, often called the "King of Estonian Folklore". A leading figure in the Estonian national awakening, Hurt organised a massive nationwide campaign in the 1870s to collect traditional Estonian stories, songs, and cultural oral history. 1400 volunteers took part in the project, visiting almost every home in Estonia and producing over 124,000 written pages. Hurt's quest to preserve Estonia's oral culture was to be published in a six volume collection called 'Monumenta Estoniae Antiquae' however, due to financial difficulties, only two volumes of folk songs were published in 1875-76, entitled 'Vana kannel' (Old Harp).

During the first Estonian Song Festival in Tartu in 1869, Hurt delivered a highly regarded historical speech urging Estonians to remain loyal to their nation, seek unity, and promote education in their mother tongue. Thanks to Jakob Hurt's tireless efforts and dedication he safeguarded Estonia's cultural heritage from assimilation.

 

 Jakob Hurt (1839–1907) 

In honour of Hurt's work in preserving Estonian culture, his image featured on the 10 kroon banknote.

The Most Amazing Places to Visit in Estonia

59% of Estonians keep old mobile phones

According to Eurostat 51% of people living in the European Union keep an old phone at home. Somewhere in a drawer, a bag, or forgotten on a shelf. In Estonia this figure is higher at 59.1%. The tendency to hold onto things is a common trait in Estonia, deeply rooted in the country's history. Rather than hoarding, it stems from a practical, frugal mindset. 

I have to agree with the data. Here are two of my old phones that I keep in a cupboard at home and I'm sure if I look around in my father's desk drawer, I would find an old Nokia there too!

Bank of Estonia to issue new 2 euro Sipsik coin

For 65 years, Estonian children have grown up with Sipsik, the curious and mischievous blue-and-white-striped rag doll beloved across generations. Sipsik first appeared in the Estonian children's magazine Täheke before being published as a standalone book in 1962 and later film. Now the iconic character will be honoured on a special two euro commemorative to be released on June 5.

 

Sipsik was created by writer Eno Raud and artist Edgar Valter.

 

The new commemorative coin card was designed by graphic artist Vladimir Taiger, who also designed Estonia's kroon banknotes. The text on the coin card was laid out by artist and writer Piret Raud. One million coins were minted in honour of Sipsik  and will enter circulation through banks and retailers next month.

Estonia is the place to be this summer!

Summer will soon be upon us which means now is the time to start planning holiday getaways. Estonia is the prefect summertime destination for those who want to avoid crowds and enjoy comfortable sunny weather that rarely exceeds 25°C. The 'white nights' (19 hours of daylight) enable you to do more during your day. Estonia offers the perfect mix of vibrant, open-air culture in cities like Tallinn and Tartu and relaxing beach getaways in coastal areas such as Pärnu and Saaremaa.

 

 

Estonia's summer calendar is packed with major festivals spanning electronic music, folk arts, classical concerts, and heritage celebrations. The Viljandi Folk Music Festival and Tallinn Medieaval Days are two of the best annual events in Estonia. To find more events that appeal to you, click here. 

Reading e-books on the rise in Europe

In 2025, e-book and audiobook purchases were on the rise across the European Union. Reading habits vary widely from country to country with Ireland having the highest share of residents buying e-books or audiobooks online. In Estonia there is still a strong traditional preference for physical books, despite being a highly advanced digital society. Estonians are among the most avid readers in the world and have an incredibly strong culture of owning, reading, and collecting large numbers of books. A typical Estonian home has 218 books and these personal libraries are often a point of great pride.

Video: Exploring Estonian DNA

Despite centuries of foreign rule and occupation, Estonians never lost their genetic identity. Estonians have a very distinct, well-defined genetic profile that sets them apart from most other European populations. Estonians are considered one of the most genetically ancient populations in Europe, with a high proportion of ancestry tracing back to the original hunter-gatherers who settled the region over 11,000 years ago. 

Ross Allen's New Book: 'Estonian Lessons'

Ross Allen, The British ambassador to Estonia has recently published a book about his time spent living in Estonia. In 'Estonian Lessons: What the World Can Learn from a Brilliant Baltic State', Allen expresses his admiration for Estonia’s achievements in environmental policy, human rights, education, culture and digital innovation. Since taking up his post in 2021, Allen has become a fluent Estonian-speaker and has developed a great fondness for Estonia. In his book Allen explores how Estonia has come to excel in so many fields, and what the rest of the world can learn from it. He offers insights from his diplomatic work, but also shares his embrace of local culture, from song festivals to smoke saunas. Having travelled across Estonia's towns, villages, islands and bogs, his understanding of and enthusiasm for Estonia shine through.

Ross Allen’s term as the British Ambassador to Estonia will end in the summer of 2026. This book is a great way to say thank you and goodbye.

'Estonian Lessons: What the World Can Learn from a Brilliant Baltic State' will be released on 1st August 2026 and is now available for pre-order here.

Estonia voted the best country for Solo Female Travellers

A survey conducted by Talker Research in February 2026 has revealed that Estonia was recognised as one of the safest and best destinations for solo female travellers in the world. Estonia was praised for its low crime rate, strong infrastructure, and high comfort level.  The country surpassed traditional favorites for solo safety. 

Why Estonia is recommended for solo female travellers?

High Safety Standards: Estonia is recognised for having low crime rates, with tourists feeling secure walking alone in cities like Tallinn and Tartu, even after dark.

Accessible Exploration: Estonia has a very high Safety Score of 1.2 in some indices, indicating it is very safe.

Charming and Easy to Navigate: Cities like Tallinn offer a mix of medieval history (UNESCO World Heritage sites) and modern, well-connected infrastructure, making it easy to navigate.

Friendly Locals: Despite appearing distant at first, locals are reported to be kind and helpful, contributing to a welcoming environment.

A look at Estonia's population

As of  1 January 2026, Statistics Estonia reported that 1,360,745 people live in Estonia, marking a decrease of 9,250 persons from the previous year due to more deaths than births and negative net migration. 82.2% of the Estonian population have Estonian citizenship, 5.5% Russian citizenship, 4.6% Ukrainian citizenship and 4.3% unspecified citizenship. Nationally, the share of Estonians is 68.5% (933 000), which is the same size as last year.

Women have outnumbered men in Estonia for several decades, primarily driven by a significant gender gap in life expectancy where women live roughly 11 years longer than men. The average age of an Estonian residents is 42.

22 years ago today Estonia joined the EU

Since joining the European Union in 2004, Estonia has rapidly transformed into a technologically advanced, stable, and prosperous member state. The partnership has provided significant financial and security benefits to Estonia, while the country has contributed expertise in digitalization and a strong voice on foreign policy, particularly concerning Russia. After 50 dark years of Soviet occupation, joining the EU and NATO were Estonia's vital strategic imperatives for securing the country's long-term freedom.

Estonia 6th best in EU for renewable energy

Around a quarter of the EU's energy consumption in 2024 came from renewable sources. Trailblazers Sweden (62.8%), Finland (52.1%) and Denmark (46.4%) used the highest share of renewables. Estonia was not far behind its Nordic neighbours ranking 6th (42.2%). Estonia views renewable energy as a critical component of national security, economic strategy, and environmental sustainability, aiming to cover 100% of its electricity consumption with renewables by 2030.

Birch juice: Nature's 'youth elixir'

Every year in early spring, before trees produce new leaves, birch trees provide a unique gift - birch juice. Birch sap, also know as birch water or 'kasemahl' (in Estonian), is a clear, slightly sweet and nutrient-rich detoxifying liquid that has a very limited harvesting period. The ideal time to extract birch juice in Estonia is between late February and mid-April when temperatures rise above freezing during the day and drop below zero at night. If you harvest birch juice after this time, the sap will be noticeably cloudier and bitter. 

Estonians have collected birch sap in the forest for centuries. It's a traditional springtime tonic, consumed after winter to cleanse the body, boost immunity, and provide essential vitamins and minerals. 

What are the health benefits of birch juice?

Birch juice is widely considered a "youth elixir" as it's packed with minerals (magnesium, potassium calcium), antioxidants and vitamin C. The amino acids present in the birch sap support bone health, reduce oxidative stress, and aid detoxification. Often consumed for its anti-inflammatory properties, birch juice supports kidney function, promotes digestion, and is a great hydrating agent for skin elasticity.  It's Mother Nature's medicine in its purest form, teeming with every imaginable vitamin and mineral.

 

 

Discover Estonia's Boutique Wine Industry

It may not be widely known but Estonia has an emerging wine industry with a unique focus on cool-climate grape varieties that thrive at the country's northerly latitude. Estonia has many boutique wineries, many of which are family-owned businesses that are part of the Eesti Veinitee (Estonian Wine Trail). The Eesti Veinitee is a tourism route connecting wine producers across Estonia that showcases natural, local ingredients and traditional winemaking methods combined with modern techniques. 

Estonia's top wine regions include Southern Estonia, Harjumaa, and the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu. Each region offers its own unique wine experience, from vineyard tours and tastings to cultural and historical attractions. The Southern Estonia wine region is one of the most interesting areas in Estonia in terms of winemaking. The region is characterised by its rolling hills, fertile soil, and a cool climate that is ideal for growing grapes. Estonia's unique terroir is one of the key factors behind the country's emerging wine scene.

The most commonly grown grape varieties in Estonia include Solaris, Rondo, Zilga, and Hasanski Sladki. These grapes are known for their ability to produce wines that are light, fresh, and mineral-driven, with subtle fruit flavours and aromas. Estonia's winemakers also experiment with other fruit varieties, including apples, pears, and cherries, to produce fruit wines that are refreshing and unique.  The award winning Järiste Winery, located in Nõo Parish, Tartu County, produces a sparkling rhubarb wine that is light and refreshing. The winery has a number of food and wine packages for visitors to enjoy.

The Estonian wine industry has evolved significantly since the 2010s, with producers frequently experimenting and adopting new techniques to create a unique and growing wine scene. The best time to visit Estonia's wine country is during the summer months of June to August, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the vines are full of grapes.  You can learn more about Estonia's wine trail here.

89 percent of Estonians have blue eyes

Estonia has one of highest concentrations of blue-eyed people in the world. Along with Finland across the Baltic Sea, 89% of these populations have blue eyes. Northern Europe has a very high percentage of people with blue eye colour, this trait is deeply linked to ancestral hunter-gatherer populations and geographical isolation in Scandinavian and Baltic areas.

Old photographs of Estonia (colourised)

Take a glimpse back into the past with these colourised photographs of Estonia.

 

Raekoja Plats 1925 

 

Men with horses at Kose-Rist.

 

Riigi Manor sometimes before 1820.

Living in Estonia | How People Live in One of Europe’s Quietest Countries

From quiet forest villages and frozen lakes to coastal towns and endless green landscapes, this cinematic journey reveals how people truly live across Estonia, far beyond travel guides and postcard views.

Estonians are the second highest users of AI tools in the EU

According to Eurostat, 32.7% of people aged 16-74 in the European Union used generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in 2025. Most people used them for personal purposes (25.1%), while 15.1% used them for work and 9.4% for formal education. In Estonia this figure is much higher with almost 47% of Estonians regularly using generative AI tools. From text to image, code, audio and video, generative AI tools offer significant benefits to users by automating, enhancing productivity and boosting creativity. Once considered a fad, AI is set to transform the future and by 2034 AI is predicted to be a fixture of daily life.

Happy Easter! Häid munadepüha!

 Wishing everyone a happy and relaxing Easter weekend! 

Where do Estonians like to spend their holidays?

Estonians typically like to spend the summer holidays in their own country, favouring coastal towns and islands for a beach-focused, relaxing getaway. The most popular holiday destination is the "summer capital" of Pärnu, followed by the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, and the nostalgic resort town of Haapsalu. For those who prefer to travel further afield, Estonians have their favourite hotspots for a European getaway. The most popular foreign travel destinations for Estonians continue to be Finland (11%), Latvia (10%) and Spain (8%). Outside the EU, 6% of Estonians like to holiday in Turkey.

In 2025, people living in Estonia made 1.5 million foreign trips and nearly 3.1 million domestic trips. 

Aleksandr Selevko makes Estonian figure skating history

Twenty-four-year-old figure skater Aleksandr Selevko has made Estonian sporting history by winning bronze at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague. Selevko delivered a powerful performance in the men's short program, improving his previous personal best by more than five points and became the first Estonian figure skater to ever reach the medals at World Championships level. With an impressive score of 96.49, Selevko was beaten only by the USA's Ilia Malinin (111.29 points) and France's Adam Siao Him Fa (101.85).

Kogu Me Lugu: Valve Luuka - Surviving the mass Soviet deportations

New Konrad Mägi exhibition opens in London

Over 60 works of art by Estonian modernist master Konrad Mägi are now on display in London's Dulwich Picture Gallery. Konrad Mägi was born in Elva Parish, Tartu county in 1878 and was a pioneer of Estonian modernism. His works range from radiant skies to psychologically charged portraits, each work pulses with energy and experimentation, revealing a short but astonishingly inventive career shaped by travel and his own personal struggles.

Konrad Mägi (1878–1925)

This is Mägi's first major exhibition in the United Kingdom which will run until 12 July 2026. More information can be found here.

                                     Konrad Mägi's portrait of a Norwegian Girl 1909

Spring solstice accompanied by aurora borealis

The Estonian island of Saaremaa is the best place to capture images of the northern lights.  This photo was taken a few days ago and is truly stunning.

New Estonian commemorative stamps

Estonia has released two new commemorative stamps marking important historic dates - the100th Anniversary of the Great Seal of the Republic of Estonia, and 35 years of Nordic-Baltic cooperation.

The First State Seal of Estonia was ordered in 1925 from the London firm Waterlow & Sons and, by law, was used only in foreign relations, which is why very few seal impressions have survived. In October 1992, President Lennart Meri initiated the production of a new state seal, which was manufactured by Helsingin Leimaisintehdas. The matrix and patrix of the first state seal are currently on display at Stenbock House. 

 

 

When Estonia restored its independence in 1991 and returned to the European family of nations the Nordic countries contributed to its democracy by offering their knowledge, experience and values. In the decades since, this has evolved into a mutual partnership: not just one of providing assistance, but a common space in which all are free to act. The tree on this stamp symbolises that connection, with common roots carrying experience of the past, the trunk consolidating trust and the branches stretching out into the future. On those branches, flags fly like leaves – each with its own face, but all part of the same canopy. 

 

Both stamps can be purchased online on the Omniva website.

Estonia is the cleanest country in the world

According to the latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI) Estonia ranks number one with a score of 75.7. The index evaluates 180 countries based on factors such as air quality, waste management, climate policy, biodiversity protection and water resources. This is an another excellent result for Estonia. More information can be found here.

2024 EU Housing Statistics

Housing figures from 2024 have revealed that the majority of Estonians prefer to own their home rather than rent. 79% of the Estonian population lives in a dwelling owned by a member of their household, making owner-occupancy high compared to the EU average. In comparison, it is interesting to note that less than half of the people living in Germany own their own home.

Head Emakeelepäev / Happy Mother Tongue Day!

Today is Emakeelepäev in Estonia, a day to celebrate the beautiful Estonian language. This national holiday has been celebrated in Estonia since 1996 to mark the birthday of Estonian poet Kristjan Jaak Peterson. Peterson was one of the first Estonian language writers and is credited for establishing the foundation for Estonian literature.

80th anniversary of the Baltic University

A special screening of Helga Merits' documentary "The Story of the Baltic University" will take place on March 19 at the Vabamu Museum in Tallinn to mark the 80th anniversary. The Baltic University in Exile was established in 1946 in Germany by Baltic refugees to educate students from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, who had been forced to put their studies on hold and flee the advancing Red Army. The university started in Hamburg and later relocated to Pinneberg where it had around 1,200 students in its eight faculties. 

A total of 76 students graduated from the Baltic University, including seven Estonians. Those who did not complete their studied left because they found permanent homes and jobs in other countries.

My grandfather Alexander was a student at the Baltic University and studied economics and agriculture. His student record revealed he planned to emigrate to Brazil, but later changed his mind and moved to Australia instead. The Baltic Unversity is considered a remarkable success in terms of providing high-quality education to Baltic refugees under extremely difficult post-war circumstances. The university closed in September 1949 and today, the main archive of the Baltic University is kept at the Uppsala University Library in Sweden.

Historic Estonian flag to return home from Australia

An Estonian Presidential flag that was rescued in September 1944, where it had flown in front of Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn during the interim government of acting prime minister Otto Tief, is on its way back home to Estonia from Australia.

The flag was rescued by Eugen Vilder, an Estonian soldier who retrieved it from the flagpole, preventing it from being destroyed by the occupying Soviet forces. Joined by his mother and sister, Vilder fled the capital with the flag wrapped around his body under his clothes. The flag was then transported to Germany and eventually made its way to Australia in 1949 where Vilder kept it safe until his death in 2021. His descendants only discovered the flag recently, and decided to return it home to Estonia. An official handover ceremony took place today at the Sydney Estonian House and the flag will be transported to the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.

Australia is home to the seventh-largest Estonian community abroad which numbers approximately 11,500 people.

82nd anniversary of the bombing of Tallinn

Today marks the anniversary of one of the saddest events in Estonian history - the bombing of Tallinn. On the evening of 9th March 1944, over 300 Soviet aircraft dropped more than 3,000 bombs on the city of Tallinn in two waves. The raids targeted Tallinn's city centre and harbour area and destroyed thousands of buildings, including the Estonian National Opera and many historic landmarks. Around 760 people were killed, 600 wounded and more than 20,000 residents left without shelter.

This was one of many horrendous crimes committed by the Soviet Union during World War Two. For some Estonians, it is still part of their living memory.  The event will never be forgotten.

 

Bears starting to wake from their winter slumber

Estonia has issued an official notice that bears have begun to wake up from hibernation. People are advised to keep dogs on a leash and calmly back away if they encounter a bear. Estonia has around 1,000 bears in the wild. Estonian brown bears live primarily in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country, particularly within the vast and dense forests of the Alutaguse region.

 

 

Learn more about bears and their habitat in this video.

'Discover Alutaguse National Park in Estonia'.

 

Photo flashback: Tallinn 1912

 Colourised photograph of Uus Turg / New Market in Tallinn, 1912.

New Estonian Documentary: "Tallinn in Flames" (Tallinn leekides)

Last Saturday, Mart Sander's historic documentary "Tallinn in Flames" (Tallinn leekides) had its world premier at the 7th Tbilisi International Documentary Festival and received the Audience Choice Award. The film tells the story of the fateful night of March 9, 1944, when the Soviet Air Force dropped over 800 tons of explosive and incendiary bombs on Tallinn.

The Estonian premier of the film will be screened at Cinema Artis on March 9 at 8pm.

Estonian maestro Paavo Järvi named new London Philharmonic Orchestra chief conductor

The London Philharmonic Orchestra announced today that Paavo Järvi will succeed Edward Gardner as chief conductor from the 2028-29 season, when Gardner’s current contract comes to an end.

Paavo Järvi, 63, was born in Tallinn into a musical dynasty. His father Neeme is also a conductor as well as his younger brother Kristjan. The family moved to the USA in 1980, and Järvi studied at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music and at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute with Leonard Bernstein.

 

Järvi's distinguished career has seen him work with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Malmö Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Tokyo’s NHK Symphony and the Orchestre de Paris, where he was music director from 2010-2016.

 

The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) was founded in 1932 by Sir Thomas Beecham and is now a resident orchestra at London's Southbank Centre. It has served as the prestigious Glyndebourne Festival's resident symphony orchestra since 1964 and also performs in Brighton, Eastbourne and Saffron Walden, alongside international tours. Järvi is already conducting the LPO in a program of works by Tchaikovsky and Sibelius at the Royal Festival Hall tomorrow.

 

Estonia: Hidden Fairytale of the North

Winter beauty in Estonia

Some stunning images have come out of Estonia recently. Here are a few of my favourites. The Estonian landscape truly is a winter wonderland during this time of year. 

 

Saaremaa

 

 

 Tamme-Lauri Oak Tree, Antsla

 

Simuna

Eurostat: Estonia in numbers

On each European independence day Eurostat releases some fun country facts. Here is the most recent for Estonia.

Teodor van Dijk sings Õpetaja at EV108 concert

There were many joyful moments during the Estonian Independence Day celebrations yesterday. One of the best was watching Teodor van Dijk sing with the National Men's Choir. What a little cutie! He is only six years old!

Happy Independence Day! Ilusat iseseisvuspäeva!

Today we celebrate 108 years since the Republic of Estonia was founded on the enduring principles of freedom, democracy, and rule of law. Throughout our history,  Estonians have faced challenges with resilience and determination. Our independence, once lost and regained, reminds us that freedom cannot be taken for granted. It must be protected, strengthened, and passed on to future generations.

On this day Estonians around the world will gather to celebrate the birthday of our beloved republic. Never in our history have we been more successful as a nation than we are today. Ilusat vabariigi aastapäeva, armas Eesti! 

Elagu Eesti! 

Niina Petrokina wows audience Exhibition Gala

The Figure Skating Exhibition Gala of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina took place on February 21 and offered athletes a stage for pure artistic freedom without the pressure of judges. It's a tradition that takes place at the end of each Winter Olympics. Estonian figure skater Niina Petrokina gave an excellent performance and you can watch it here at the time point 1:27:47.

Henry Sildaru wins silver at the Winter Olympics

Finally! The wait is over! Estonia is up on the medals table at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games! Nineteen-year-old Henry Sidaru won silver in the mens freestyle skiing halfpipe and Estonians around the world are thrilled. The halfpipe is one of three categories of freestyle skiing and involves performing a series of tricks while skiing down a semi-cylindrical slope. This is Henry Sidaru's first Olympic medal. His older sister Kelly Sidaru was Estonia's only medalist at the last Winter Games in Beijing in 2022. 

It's seal breeding time in Estonia

In Estonia, peak seal breeding season takes place during the months of February and March. The number of pups born each year is heavily dependent on winter ice conditions. While seals prefer to give birth on drifting sea ice, in milder winters without enough ice, they will use coastal areas and rocky shores, particularly in Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. 

This year, winter in Estonia has been significantly colder than usual, with a bumper crop of baby grey seals seen around Estonia's coastline. Approximately 4,000 seal pups are born in Estonia each year,  predominantly grey seals and Baltic ringed seals.

People eager to take a selfie with seal pups are advised not to get too close. Seals are very protective of their offspring and territory and can be extremely dangerous to a person who approaches. A safer way of getting close to the animals is through a seal monitoring camera set up. The final number of seals born this year will not become clear until spring when the animals come out onto the rocks to moult and can be more easily observed.

Johanna Talihärm makes history as the first Estonian to join the International Olympic Committee

Estonian biathlete Johanna Talihärm, who participated in her fourth Olympics, was chosen as the first Estonian to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes' Commission.

During the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, 11 athletes ran for two vacant seats on the IOC Athletes' Commission, with 84 percent of eligible athletes casting their votes. Talihärm received 983 votes and she will join the committee along with South Korean bobsledder Yunjong Won, who received 1,176 votes.

Talihärm's new role will be officially announced at the closing ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Verona on February 22.

The 108th birthday of the Republic of Estonia

On Tuesday the 24th of February 2026 the Republic of Estonia will celebrate its 108th birthday. The day will begin with the ceremonial raising of the national flag in the Governor's Garden at Toompea. The flag will be raised at 7:32 a.m. accompanied by the national anthem.

This year the anniversary parade will be held at Freedom Square in Tallinn. The event will start at 12 noon with military units lining up from 11am. The parade will be received by Estonian President Alar Karis and will be led by the Commander of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo. The units participating in the parade will be sending a clear message to the world, that the Estonian Defence Forces are disciplined, well organised, highly motivated and equipped to protect Estonia's statehood.

 

 

On Independence Day the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom will open early at 8:30am for anyone who wishes to come directly after the national flag hoisting ceremony. More information can be found here.

 

Estonia 8th in the world for Economic Freedom

In the 2025 Economic Freedom Index released by The Heritage Foundation, Estonia was ranked 8th in the world and is considered “mostly free”. With a score of 78.9 out of 100, Estonia's rating has increased by 1.1 points from last year, and ranks 5th out of 44 countries in the Europe region. Estonia’s economic freedom score is higher than the world and regional averages. In comparison, the world's largest economy, the United States, ranked 26th place in the index.