An Estonian in Poland

I am deeply shocked by the shooting that took place in Krakow yesterday. I spent my summer holiday in Poland with my family this year and we stayed near the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny). Kraków’s Main Market Square is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe and is a vibrant hub of activity that welcomes millions of visitors each year. Poland has long been regarded as one of the safest countries in Europe, but sadly that changed yesterday when a crazed gunman killed 9 people and left 16 others and 2 horses injured. 

Rynek Główny

Today is a national day of mourning in Poland. For people who have family and friends living in Poland, our hearts will be heavy today, comprehending everything that has happened. In August, I remember walking around Krakow with my father and brother, enjoying the atmosphere and frequently passing by market square during the day. Our apartment was located on the corner of Sławkowska Street. It's utterly tragic to think that area is now a place of great sorrow. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.

Photo flashback: Tallinn 1910

 A winter's day on Jaani Tänav in 1910.

Only a few weeks to go until Tallinn's Christmas market opens!

The festive season is soon approaching and one of the best ways to start the season is a trip to the Tallinn Christmas market. Often rated as one of the best in Europe, The Tallinn Christmas market has it all from traditional food and drink, handicrafts, light shows and live entertainment. Tallinn's Christmas market is unique in many ways but above all it has an amazing atmosphere that is truly magical. The Tallinn Christmas market officially opens on November 20, more information can be found here.

Tana on Hingedepäev!

Today is Hingedepäev / All Souls' Day in Estonia. This is one of my favourite ancient Estonian traditions as it's a day on which we reflect and honour the memory of our departed ancestors and loved ones. Hingedepäev is the day of spirits when it is believed that the veil between the living and that of the dead is at its thinnest. On this day, it is customary to visit the cemetery or to light candles at home to welcome the spirits. My home will be aglow from dusk this evening. Head Hingedepäev!

What's special about Tallinn's Church of the Holy Spirit?

The Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallinn is a medieval Lutheran church built in the 13th century. The  church is located near the famous Café Maiasmokk in Tallinn’s Old Town and is unique for several historical and architectural reasons. The Church of the Holy Spirit is the smallest medieval church in Tallinn and originally functioned as a hospital and almshouse chapel for the poor.

The Church of the Holy Spirit (Püha Vaimu kirik)

Here are six interesting facts about Tallinn's Church of the Holy Spirit.

During medieval times, the church was the main sanctuary for common townspeople. After the Reformation, the first sermons in the Estonian language (instead of German) were held here. 

Oldest Church Bell: The tower holds Tallinn's oldest church bell, dating back to 1433, which features a unique historic inscription.

Bernt Notke Altar: The interior houses a famous 1483 double-winged main altarpiece carved by the renowned Lübeck master Bernt Notke, depicting the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

First Estonian Book: In 1535, the church's pastor, Johann Koell, published a catechism here that is considered the first-ever printed book in the Estonian language.

Balthasar Russow, the famous Estonian chronicler, was a pastor at the Church of the Holy Spirit from 1563 until his death in 1600. He published The Chronicle of Livonia in 1578.

The Facade Clock: This elaborately carved and painted wooden clock was created by Christian Ackermann in the year 1684. The clock is Tallinn's oldest public timepiece and still works today.

The Holy Spirit Church is part of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the city’s most important medieval ecclesial buildings.

Who is Estonia's fastest man?

Karl Erik Nazarov is Estonia's fastest man of all time. He holds the Estonian national outdoor record in the 100-metre sprint, with a time of 10.18 seconds, which he set on June 16, 2023 at the Heino Lipp Memorial in Jõhvi, Estonia. Karl also holds the national indoor record for the 60-metre sprint at 6.55 seconds.

Andrei Nazarov (Lesthal) and Karl Nazarov

Karl is the son of my cousin Natalja and I am so proud that he has achieved this title. It's a great accomplishment. As a young boy Karl dreamed of being an athlete like his uncle Andrei. A former decathlete, Andrei competed in the Olympic Games twice in addition to the World Championships and was a trainer and mentor for young Karl. Today there are two Nazarovs who have left their mark on Estonian sport and there may be a third in the future. Karl became a father for the first time last month and I'm sure little Franz will receive a lot of encouragement from his father and great uncle to reach his full potental.

Estonian rye bread recipe

Estonians love their dark rye bread. It's a daily staple that accompanies most meals. Here is an easy to follow recipe to make Estonian rye bread.

Estonia No.1 in the Human Rights Index 2025

Estonia tops the global rankings once again - this time in the 2025 Human Rights Index. Estonia continues to rank highly due to its strong democratic institutions, robust rule of law, and advanced digital governance. This is another excellent result for Estonia!

ESTONIA: BORN FROM CULTURE VIDEO

The Born from Culture project is a global series of short documentary films and videos created by Australian choreographer and director James Fenwick. The project combines traditional dance, native costume, and historic landscapes with contemporary music to make cultural heritage feel current, powerful and tangible. 

This video about Estonia showcases Estonians love for song, dance and sauna!

Today is European Statistics Day!

October 20 is European Statistic Day and to mark the occasion here are some fascinating facts about Estonia compared to the EU average.

Estonia Ranks 4th in Energy Transition Index

Estonia is successfully advancing its energy transition with the latest figures revealing Estonia now ranks 4th in the World Economic Forum's Energy Transition Index (ETI). Estonia outranked major industrial and economic powers such as Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The World Economic Forum's Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2026, produced in collaboration with Accenture, evaluated 120 countries across 44 indicators. Despite record annual global energy investment reaching $3.3 trillion, energy transition progress is fragmenting as geopolitical tensions, infrastructure bottlenecks and rising energy demand expose vulnerabilities in the global transition. Overall, 56% of countries improved their ETI scores in 2026.

Northern Europe continued to dominate the top of the index, led by Sweden for the third consecutive year: Finland came second, followed by Denmark, Estonia and Norway. Estonia stood out as one of the strongest global performers in energy efficiency improvement, recording a +7.3% gain. This progress was primarily driven by the rapid decline of oil shale extraction and a reduced reliance on energy-intensive fuels. Estonia aims to cover its electricity consumption with 100% renewable sources by 2030.

Estonian passport covers to revert back to blue

The Estonian Interior Ministry plans to redesign Estonian passports by adding new security features and returning to blue covers, starting in 2030. Estonia adopted the burgundy covers in 2004 when it joined the European Union, however, using the burgundy colour is an EU recommendation rather than a compulsory requirement. Many Estonians prefer the traditional blue colour passport covers as they were in use following the restoration of independence in 1991 and symbolise national identity.

Estonia has the northern most lavender fields in the world

Successfully cultivating lavender in Estonia is considered a unique triumph due to the country's harsh northern climate. Natively a Mediterranean plant, lavender thrives in full sun for at least 8 - 10 hours a day and dry soil.  Estonian farmers have proven that with proper care like mulching and frost protection, lavender can be successfully grown in Estonia.

(Photo: lavender grown from my garden)

There are two main lavender farms in Estonia. The Hiiumaa Lavender Farm (Lavendlitalu) and Sootsu Lavender Farm (Sootsu Lavendel).

Hiiumaa Lavender Farm is located on the edge of the Kärdla meteorite crater in Western Estonia. The farm features roughly 20,000 plants across nearly 1 hectare and produces organic goods like lavender lotions, balms, tea, jam, soap and honey.

Sootsu Lavender Farm is located in Hatu küla (Lääne-Harju vald) in Northern Estonia. Sootsu Lavender Farm is the largest in Estonia spanning 1.5 hectares with nearly 12,000 Hidcote Blue English lavender plants. The farm offers guided tours and handmade natural products.

Growing lavender has become increasingly popular in Estonia, not only with commercial farmers but also private gardeners who value the plant's alluring scent and medicinal properties. Lavender is a perennial plant that regrows every year with proper pruning and care.

A brief history of traffic in Estonia

Before traffic lights were built in Estonia, traffic was manually regulated by the police. On the 1st of April 1929, Anton Arumäe was appointed Tallinn’s first traffic police officer. It took the police considerable time to acquire the necessary skills and experience to carry out this role. For a long time, speed was estimated by eye only, and later measured using a stopwatch and special speed charts. Traffic accidents were an inevitable part of the rapidly developing traffic environment.

A traffic police officer in Suur-Karja Street Tallinn.

Speeding was often cited as the primary cause of accidents. However, the speed limit was quite low; passenger cars and motorcycles were not permitted to exceed 25 km/h in the city centre. 

One of the major issues police had was frequent drunk driving. The streets of the Old Town, particularly the narrow section of Viru Street, Town Hall Square, Nunne and Mündi streets were considered very dangerous. Many accidents also occurred on Pärnu maantee, which experienced heavy use by people from rural areas.

The first red, yellow and green traffic light in Tallinn was installed in 1947 at the intersection of Pärnu maantee and Suur-Karja tänav. The first pedestrian traffic lights in Tallinn were introduced in 1959. They were installed at the busy intersection of Pärnu mnt, Estonia pst and Freedom Square.

Estonia's first postage stamps

Estonia’s first official postage stamps were issued on the 22nd of November 1918, shortly after the end of World War I. They were known as the 'Flower Design Series' and had nominal values of 5 and 15 kopecks. The stamps were printed by the Bölau Printing House in Nõmme.

Estonia's first stamps featuring the Tallinn skyline (part of the Tallinn Skyline definitive series) were released on the 4th of May 1920. The stamps were designed by Eduard Poland and were printed until 1924.

The yellow 25 penni stamp was the most popular in the series with a total print run of 4,939,000. The Tallinn Skyline stamp series is a valued collection among philatelists.

It's apple season in Estonia!

Autumm is apple harvesting time in Estonia. Apples are the most popular and commonly grown fruit in Estonia, with over 1000 different varieties grown in the country and 53 types considered uniquely Estonian. Most houses with gardens in rural and suburban Estonia have at least one apple tree. They're ubiquitous! 

The most common apple varieties grown in Estonia are the 'Suislepp', 'Valge Klaar', 'Liivi kuldrenett', 'Tellissaare' and 'Tiina'.  During this time of year in Estonia it is common to find homeowners leaving boxes or bags of free surplus apples outside their homes for passersby to take.

Some fun facts:

Many Estonian apple varieties have human first names. For example Tiina, Meelis, Kersti, Taavi, Kaja and Krista. In total, there are 22 varieties of Estonian apples with such names. According to official statistics there are currently 4213 people in Estonia with the name Tiina, 3288 with the name Meelis and 2679 with the name Tiite. Apple (õun) is also a surname in Estonia and 629 people have this surname.

Photo flashback: Tallinn 1905

Colourised photo of  Harju Street. The intersection of Niguliste and Kullassepa streets in 1905. On the left stands the Writers' House, and on the right, the monument to Eduard Vilde.

The building on the corner belonged to Adolf Klaff who once owned Tallinn’s oldest stationery and office supply business. He established his business in 1883 at Harju Street 20, and in 1938, the business moved to Harju Street 21.

Harju Street was one of Tallinn’s oldest streets for merchants and artisans. From the 19th century onwards, the city's commercial life began to concentrate there, and by the early years of the Republic of Estonia, it had gradually developed into one of the city's most important business districts. 

Many of the buildings on Harju street were destroyed or severely damaged during the Soviet bombing raids of March 1944 but we have these old photographs to remind us how they once were.

New cabbage head monument dedicated to well loved books

Estonians are a nation of avid readers and rank among the most passionate book lovers in the world. Last week in Tallinn a new cabbage-head bust was placed in the inner courtyard of the Estonian National Library dedicated to well loved books.  The monument pays tribute and makes reference to the common Estonian expression "raamat on loetud kapsaks" that literally means "the book has been read into a cabbage," referring to books that have been read so many times they become worn and tattered.

"Monument to Books Worn to Shreds"

So what books do Estonians love to read so much?

Estonians love reading works by local Estonian authors, focusing heavily on national classics, historical fiction, folklore-inspired tales, and beloved children's literature.

The most popular books read by Estonians are:

1.Truth and Justice I (Tõde ja õigus) by Anton Hansen Tammsaare. Published in 1926, Volume One is  widely considered the Estonian national novel. This masterpiece explores the toil, philosophy, and soul of the Estonian people through rural life.

2. Kalevipoeg by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald. Estonia's national epic, charting the heroic and tragic deeds of the mythical giant Kalevipoeg protecting the land.

3. Spring (Kevade) by Oskar Luts. Published in 1912, the novel is a nostalgic, humorous, and deeply cherished portrait of school life in rural Estonia.

4. The Czar's Madman (Keisri hull) by Jaan Kross (1978). A world-renowned historical novel portraying 19th-century psychological resistance under the Russian Empire.

5. Apothecary Melchior Series by Indrek Hargla. Hugely popular contemporary murder mystery novels set in 15th-century mediaeval Tallinn.

6. The Man Who Spoke Snakish (Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu) by Andrus Kivirähk (2007). A modern folkloric masterpiece and massive bestseller blending magic, survival, and Estonian identity.

7. Three Jolly Fellows (Naksitrallid) by Eno Raud is considered a timeless classic of Estonian children's literature.

Beautiful Estonia: Jägala Waterfall

Jägala Waterfall is the widest natural waterfall in Estonia. Located 25km east of Tallinn, the waterfall is approximately 8 metres high and more than 50 metres wide. During winter Jägala Waterfall is a fascinating sight to see when the water freezes and becomes a glistening ice wall with large icicles. Sometimes a tunnel is formed during the freezing months between the wall of the waterfall and the ice hanging down the edge of the waterfall.

Estonia 5th best in EU for renewal energy

In the second quarter of 2026, 54.1% of the electricity generated in the European Union came from renewable energy sources. The highest shares were in Latvia (97.7%) and  Denmark (94.3%), the lowest in Slovakia (19.8%) and The Czech Republic (20.9%). Estonia came in at fifth place which is another excellent result for Estonia.

It's mushroom season in Estonia!

Mushroom season is in full swing in Estonia. Between the months of July and October Estonians love to head to the forest to pick mushooms. Seenelkäik / foraging mushrooms has often been described as a national sport in Estonia and is a deep-rooted cultural ritual. There are over 7000 species of mushrooms in Estonia with 400 of them considered edible. 

Last year over 100 tons of fresh or chilled mushrooms were exported from Estonia with a total value of 834 451 euros. Most of the mushrooms reached Sweden, Finland and Germany.  The most popular mushrooms were chanterelles (93 867 kg). They're so delicious!

Head Vanavanemate Päev! Happy Grandparents' Day!

Grandparents' Day (Vanavanemate päev) is celebrated on the second Sunday of September in Estonia. As of 1st January 2026, 330,291 people living in Estonia proudly held the title of grandparent. Here are some interesting facts about grandparents in Estonia.

Estonia Ranked the Best Country to Live in 2026

Estonia has been ranked the world’s best country to live in 2026, according to the latest Rumavi Global Relocation Index. Estonia topped the list among 184 countries, with a score of 72.8 out of 100. Singapore came second at 72.6, while Malaysia, Portugal and Taiwan complete the top five. Estonia’s first-place ranking is notable for a country with a population of 1.3 million. Estonia scored exceptionally well across the safety and settling pillars, supported by robust rule of law, a strong startup ecosystem, and low youth unemployment.

The report also ranks the world's worst countries to live which are: Afghanistan, Yemen and South Sudan. More information about the report can be found here.

Estonia continues to be No. 1 in Europe for education

According to the OECD’s 2025 PISA results, Estonia ranks the best in Europe and is among the top ten best education systems in the world. Only Japan and South Korea surpassed Estonia in 2025 for overall PISA test scores among the 91 OECD countries. For the past 15 years Estonia has outperformed the OECD average in science, maths and reading. This is another fantastic result for Estonia who places great importance on education.  Further reading can be found here.

Ülle Madise - The Next President of Estonia

On Wednesday, 2nd of September 2026, the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) elected Ülle Madise as the next President of Estonia. She ran as an independent candidate and secured 71 votes out of the required 68. Madise will be the second woman to hold the Estonian presidency, following Kersti Kaljulaid who left office in 2021. Madise succeeds Alar Karis, who chose not to seek a second term.

So who is Ülle Madise?

Ülle Madise is a prominent Estonian lawyer and legal scholar who has served as the Chancellor of Justice since 2015. She was born in Tartu in 1974 and studied law at the University of Tartu. Her father, Tõnu Anton, is a former member of the Supreme Court of Estonia and signatory of the ratification of the Estonian restoration of Independence. President-elect Ülle Madise holds core beliefs deeply rooted in constitutional law, institutional trust, individual liberty, and national identity.

Ülle Madise is scheduled to officially take office on 12 October 2026 where she will then become the seventh President of the Republic of Estonia.

Estonia's Education System: Why are Estonians so Smart?

The 1st of September marks the beginning of the new school year in Estonia. This year 14,700 children started first grade in Estonia, receiving their Aabits book and wearing their 'kooli tekkel' (school cap) for the first time with pride. Approximately 160,000 Estonian pupils will be attending general education this year, 26,000 students will commence vocational education and more than 47,000 students are enrolled at the country's universities. Estonia has one of the best education systems in the world and ranks number one in Europe for reading, mathematics, and science.

On this day in history

After half a century of brutal Soviet occupation, Russian troops finally left Estonia on 31 August 1994. On this day World War II officially ended for Estonia when the last occupying Russian military forces left Estonian soil.  It was a day of great celebration for Estonians all around the world.

Today in history

90 years ago today, on August 30, 1936, a memorial monument dedicated to writer Anton Hansen Tammsaare was unveiled in front of the Albu Municipal Hall. Tammsaare himself did not attend the event, either out of modesty or he was offended about a farm he was rumoured to receive as a gift for his 60th birthday, that it was given to Olympic champion Palusalu instead. A record book was signed by all people who attended the unveiling of the monument and it has been preserved in the local area. I was very pleased to view the record book in 2014 and saw the signature of my great-grandfather Arthur Lesthal. Arthur was both the village photographer aad bookkeeper at the Albu Muncipal Hall.

Photo flashback: Narva-Jõesuu 1890

This beautiful colourised photograph of a family in Narva-Jõesuu was taken in1890.

New 2 euro coin dedicated to Kõpu Lighthouse

A new coin featuring Hiiumaa's Kõpu Lighthouse will be released by the Bank of Estonia next year. The coin will be part of a new series 'Counties of Estonia'. The new two euro coin series will highlight the variety and cultural uniqueness of the different regions in Estonia.

The coin for Hiiumaa will be the first in the series and depicts Kõpu Lighthouse which is one of the oldest still operating lighthouses in the World. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1504 and was completed in 1531. Hiiumaa is known for its unique landscapes and long maritime traditions.

Kaupo Kangro designed the coin and one million coins will go into circulation next year.

Fun facts:

World's Oldest Operating Lighthouses

1. Tower of Hercules (A Coruña, Spain) Built in the 1st century AD by the Roman Empire.

2. Hook Lighthouse (County Wexford, Ireland) Built around 1210 to 1245.

3. Kõpu Lighthouse (Hiiumaa, Estonia) Functioning continuously since 1531.

4. Lantern of Genoa (Genoa, Italy) The current towering stone structure was built in 1543 (replacing earlier versions on the same site dating back to 1128) and remains a functioning beacon and symbol of the port city.

5. Cordouan Lighthouse (Gironde estuary, France) Known as the "King of Lighthouses," construction began in 1584 and finished in 1611.

No Estonian celebration is complete without a glass of Vana Tallinn

While Estonia's Restoration of Independence Day officially fell on Thursday, August 20 this year, many cultural events and community gatherings took place on the weekend for the Estonian diaspora. The iconic Vana Tallinn liqueur that was created in Estonia in 1960 is very popular drink amongst Estonians living at home and abroad during times of celebration.

Estonian Facts and Figures: 1991 vs. 2025

35th anniversary of Estonia's Restoration of Independence

Today marks 35 years since Estonia made the bold move to restore its independence after enduring fifty years of Soviet occupation, On the 20th of August 1991, Estonia's Supreme Council took actions that affirmed the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia that was established in 1918. Estonia was once again a free and sovereign nation. August 20  is a day of great celebration not only for people living in Estonia, but for all Estonians living around the world. 

According to official data from Statistics Estonia, 37.1% of Estonia's population is under the age of 35. This means that roughly one third of Estonia's population was born in a free country and has no personal experience of living under the Soviet regime. For older Estonians, however, this period is still in living memory. 

Happy Independence Day everyone! Taasiseseisvumispäev!

Richard Quest explores Estonia's digital revolution

Richard Quest also tests a lucky tradition in Tallinn.

Estonia named the best place in the world to live

Estonia has been voted the best country to relocate to according to Time Out magazine. The index scores 192 countries and territories across 24 different metrics, covering everything from the cost of living, to tax structures, health, safety, and how easy it is to actually make friends.

Further reading can be found here.

What are the 5 oldest buildings in Tallinn?

Tallinn’s Old Town contains some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in Northern Europe. Many of these buildings were constructed during the 13th - 16th centuries and still stand today. No trip to Tallinn is complete without visiting these historic landmarks.

1. St. Catherine's Dominican Monastery. The Dominican monastery is known to have existed at the site since at least 1246. The remains of this 13th-century friary include the walls of the church and the cloister. Visitors can wander the medieval cloisters and courtyards, known as the Claustrum. Throughout the Middle Ages, the monastery was renowned for its scholarship and the monastery also had a brewery that produced four types of beer.

2.  Tallinn Dome Church (St. Mary's Cathedral).  Located on Toompea Hill, this is the oldest church in Tallinn and mainland Estonia. The church was founded in the year 1219.

3. St. Nicholas' Church (Niguliste Museum). Dating back to the mid-13th century (c. 1250–1275), this former Gothic church was originally built as a fortress-church by merchants from Gotland. This Gothic structure is one of the oldest buildings in Tallinn. Today, the building operates as a museum showcasing medieval ecclesiastical art, including the famous Dance Macabre by Bernt Notke.

4. Tallinn Town Hall. Located in the heart of the Old Town, Tallinn's Town Hall was first mentioned in real estate records in the year 1322.  It's the oldest surviving town hall in Northern Europe.

5.  The Town Hall Pharmacy (Raeapteek) is one of the most famous historic sites in Tallinn. It has been continuously operating in the same building on the Town Hall Square since 1422, making it the oldest continuously running pharmacy in Europe.

Photo flashback: Boys with their bicycles

A wooden bicycle, tyreless bicycle, and bikes with pedals all provided these boys with a sense of freedom.

What age is considered 'old age' in Estonia?

According to a European Social Research report, Estonian residents think that a person gets old at an average of 66.3 years.

Estonia once again tops the Environmental Performance Index

Estonia is ranked as the cleanest country in the world for 2026, followed closely by Luxembourg and Germany. This is based on the latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which scores nations on clean air, waste management, and ecosystem health. By cutting emissions, scaling renewable energy, and accelerating clean‑tech innovation, Estonia demonstrates that ambitious climate action can be both strategic and achievable.

The climate crisis is not only an environmental challenge, it is a growing security threat that will shape geopolitics, economic stability, and global resilience. Long‑term security requires diversified energy sources, sustained investment in sustainability, and deeper international cooperation. These are the foundations of a resilient and secure future.

XXXIII Seto Kingdom Day

On the first Saturday of August, the village of Mikitamäe located in Southeastern Estonia will become the Seto Kingdom for a day. This is the most important cultural day of the year for Seto people when everyone is welcome to celebrate all things Seto. Launched in 1994, the day celebrates Seto language, culture and traditions through folk singing, dancing, food contests, and the democratic election of the community's earthly leader (ülembsootska).

Who is the Seto King? 

Peko is the hero of the Seto national epic. According to legend, Peko is asleep in the caves of the Pskov-Caves Monastery and cannot rule the kingdom himself. The Setos therefore choose an ülembsootska (leader) in his place. The person is elected in the most democratic way - by how many people line up behind him or her.  The result speaks for itself.

On Seto Kingdom Day you can hear the Seto hymn, see the Seto army march, spend Seto money, and enjoy traditional Seto food and drink. 

Schedule:

12.00 Kingdom Day opening
12.30 Food and beverage area opens
12.30-15.00 Competitions
13.00-15.00 Village stage and mainstage program
16.00 Ülemsootska speech and new ülemsootska election
17.30 Awarding of Kingdom's champions 
18.00 Military parade
19.00 A performance by popular Seto folk rock band "Zetod" 

Seto Kingdom Day will take place on August 1st this year, more information can be found here.

Photo flashback: Pärnu 1890

Colourised photograph of Rüütli Street Pärnu in 1890.

The Continental Rift: Sabotage and Sponsorship

An interesting podcast with former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

Estonian etiquette: What is considered good manners?

Every country has their social norms of what is considered acceptable behaviour and what actions are frowned upon. In Estonia, there are certain things you must be aware of to earn the respect of locals. Etiquette in Estonia centres around respect for personal space, silence and punctuality. If you do something objectionable in the presence of an Estonian they will rarely tell you to your face, instead, they will quietly step away and avoid you. There is a golden rule in Estonian culture when it comes to social etiquette - "mitte tüütata", which means "do not bother" or "do not be burdensome." It represents respect for personal space, privacy, and silence.

Estonians are known to be reserved, self-sufficient and private people who live by the rule of "mitte tüütata". Estonians do not like to burden others or have other people encroach unnecessarily upon their time, energy or space. When it comes to asking others for help or assistance, Estonians are very reluctant to do so, and its usually only done as a last resort. So with this in mind, here are ten things you need to be aware of when it comes to Estonian etiquette.

1.  Respect personal space. Do not stand too close to others in lines, queues or crowds. Stand at least an arm's length away, ideally further. Never sit close to someone on public transport when there are plenty  of seats available. It's not uncommon for an Estonian to get up and change seats if you do.

2. Don't speak loudly in public. Estonians are private people who value quietness, personal space, and emotional restraint. Speaking loudly in public is seen as rude, disrespectful, and attention-seeking. It is greatly frowned upon. 

3.  Embrace silence. Silence is golden in Estonia because it is a sign of respect and sincerity.  Estonians don't like to engage in small talk and when there is a pause in conversation, Estonians don't feel uncomfortable about this. Instead they will be thinking carefully about what the other person has said before adding to the conversation, if at all. 

4. Do not touch others during conversation unless you are close friends.  

5. Be quiet on public transport. It is greatly frowned upon in Estonia to speak loudly on a bus, tram or train.  It is viewed as disruptive and rude. Talk only loud enough for the person next to you to hear. No one else wants to hear your conversation.

6. Always be punctual.  This cannot be overstated. Punctuality is a cornerstone of respect in Estonia. If you agree to meet someone at 7pm, the expectation is that you are there, no later than 7pm. It is very normal in Estonia for people to arrive, 5, 10 or 15 minutes earlier than the appointed time. Arriving even five minutes late can be seen as disrespectful, implying that you don't value the other person's time. 

 7.  Estonians value direct communication. When meeting someone offer a firm, brief handshake and make direct eye contact. When speaking be clear, honest, and direct. Do not use confusing, sugar-coated language to avoid conflict. Be sincere.

8. Always remove your shoes when entering an Estonian home. Never assume you can walk straight in.

9.  If you are invited to an Estonian's home always bring a small gift. Never arrive empty-handed. Usually a bottle of wine, chocolates or flowers are warmly welcomed. When it comes to flowers always give a bouquet with an odd number as even numbers are only for funerals.

10. When dining in an Estonians home, do not eat until the host begins or someone says "head isu" (bon appetit).