Prince Harry in Tallinn

This is a good little video covering the Prince's arrival in Tallinn.
I find the sound of incessant camera clicking quite amusing!
Is he staying at The Three Sisters? Nice choice!

The Longest Sprat Sandwich in the World was Made in Tallinn Today!

Today is Tallinn Day!

To mark the occasion, the opening event was the creation of the world's longest sprat sandwich at the Town Hall Square. The sandwich which measures 20 metres and took up ten tables was made by cooks from 20 nearby restaurants and cafes and then shared with the general public.

What is Tallinn Day?

In 1248 Tallinn gained  Lübeck city rights and was granted admission to the Hanseatic League of European cities. Tallinn Day commemorates this historic event with a day full of fun cultural activities.

If you're in Tallinn today, be sure to check out some of the events. In Freedom Square tonight there will be a concert commencing at 7pm with live performances by Ott Lepland, Chalice and the Estonian National Youth Symphony Orchestra. Sounds great!

The Boy and the Butterfly (Poiss ja Liblikas) By A.H.Tammsaare

Since making the wondeful discovery a few weeks ago that I am related to Anton Hansen Tammsaare I have taken a greater interest in his work. If you are like me and grew up in an English speaking country and was never properly taught the mother tongue of your Estonian family, then reading the works of Tammsaare can be quite challenging. Unfortunately, not many of Tammsaare's writings have been translated into English which is a great shame because he was a master of his craft.

Besides the many novels and articles he wrote, Tammsaare also penned a collection of short stories and fables, some of which have been translated into English. For the past week I have been searching online for an English translation for Poiss ja liblikas, the Boy and the Butterfly. It was difficult to find and when I managed to locate it I found it was obviously not translated by a native English speaker, so I took my hand to it and edited it, making it read much smoother.

Poiss ja liblikas was written by A.H. Tammsaare in 1915.

The Boy and the Butterfly

A host of spring flowers ran riot in a meadow sheltered from the north wind by a forest tract. They waited to be picked - but in vain; and so some of them were shedding their petals already. A bee buzzed by, but no picker was he, nor the butterfly that hovered above them.

The flowers were beginning to lose hope and turned to God in despair. And so God sent them a boy who loved flowers and delighted in picking them.

When the boy came to the meadow the flowers were overjoyed and cried in chorus "Pick me!" "Pick me!" And their heavy fragrance filled the air.

Exhilarated, the boy approached the first flower and stretched out his hand to pick it, when all of a sudden a butterfly rose up in flight - a coloured thread of silk, a gaudy piece of velvet that gleamed like a jewel with a snowflake's deceptive lustre.

It flew a few paces then settled on a flower, spreading out its wings in the sunshine.

"Let me catch you!" shouted the boy, forgetting all about the flowers.

"Go ahead!" the butterfly replied. "Catch me if you can!"

"I won't hurt you, I'll just take a look and let you go again!"

"Catch me - catch me if you can!"

"I promise not to touch you - only let me have a look at close hand."

First catch me  - then do as you please!"

And so the boy did his best to catch the butterfly.

He began by approaching it stealthily; but hardly had he taken a step when the butterfly flitted to another flower, just out of reach, fluttering its pretty wings as it to tease its pursuer.

The boy was getting impatient. Then began an unflagging chase; this way and that, to the north and to the south, a leap to the left, another to the right - over hummocks and bushes. Away he went in zigzag pursuit of the butterfly that one moment was flitting among the low growing flowers and the next was floating up high.

On and on they raced - one on his nimble feet, the other on its silky velvet wings that glittered like jewels in the sun. The fugitive did not tire, nor did the pursuer slacken his pace.

Until at last the butterfly rose higher and higher and flew away far over the forest that sheltered the meadow from the north wind.

Flushed and breathless the boy stopped, and with a beating heart he followed the flight of the butterfly, as if hoping it would turn back. As he stood there, gazing beyond the forest trees, a heavy fragrance was wafted to his nostrils by a passing breeze and he became aware again of the forgotten flowers that were waiting to be picked. Deeply affected by the fragrance, he turned with agitation and was about to stoop down and pick the nearest flower when he stopped in dismay, and his cheeks blanched. He had carelessly trampled over all of the flowers in his mad pursuit of the butterfly.

With a heavy heart, the boy dropped to the ground and cried bitterly, for he loved flowers passionately and would have picked them with pleasure.

The moral to this fable is to pursue those good things which are within your grasp, and not to get distracted by something that might be captivating but is nevertheless illusory.

Inside the Anton Hansen Tammsaare Museum in Tallinn

If you want to catch a glimpse inside the life of one of Estonia's greatest writers, then a visit to the Anton Hansen Tammsaare museum in Tallinn is a must. Anton lived in apartment number 4 with his wife and two children from 1932 until his death in 1940.  Some of his greatest works were produced whilst living in this building therefore it has significant historic importance. In honour of his tremendous contribution to Estonian literature, the Anton Hansen Tammsaare museum was opened on the 30th January 1978 - the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The museum is divided into two sections; located in the old apartment number 3 is a literary historical display, tracing the life and work of A.H.Tammsaare. Next door, in apartment number 4 is the former home of the Hansen family. The five room apartment has been restored according to the period in which the writer lived.

The museum consists of over 6000 rare and interesting items including books from Anton's private collection, his violin and death mask. Visitors can also purchase copies of his works at significantly reduced prices compared to other bookshops and sometimes in different languages.

Located at 12A Koidula Street, the museum is easy to reach by tram number 1 or 3 from the city centre and is only a short walk away from Kadriorg. Well worth the visit!

The building originally consisted of four apartments and now functions solely as a museum.

Museum entrance

Literary historical display

Books from Anton's private collection.

The front door to the Hansen family home.

The maid's room

Dining room

Living room

Children's bedroom

Eerik Hansen's playing table featuring a letter he wrote to Santa.

Living room

Sunroom

More information can be found at:
http://linnamuuseum.ee/tammsaare/en/

"Ema Süda" - an Estonian Poem for Mother's Day

In the vast majority of countries around the world, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. For all the Estonian mothers out there here is a nice Estonian poem for you. Ema Süda /A Mother's Heart was written by Lydia Koidula in Tartu in 1865 then later recorded as a song by Maarja.

English translation.

A Mother's Heart

There is a place within this world

where faith and love and joy lie curled

and everything that's fine and rare

will always find a refuge there.

Do you know a mother's heart?

Constant and sound from the very start!

With your joys it loves to share

and your sorrows will help you bear.

When people change from good to bad,

friendship and praise is not to be had

when all around is contempt and hate

faithless and loveless is your sad fate-

A mother's heart is always there!

A place you will always share,

cry away dashed hopes and fears

on mother's breast through all the years!

Some dearest treasures I may lose

and after mourning find repose,

time for me my grief will sever

but mother's heart I'll miss - forver!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Europe Day!

On this day my thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. Their country has suffered greatly at the hand of Russia and the old Soviet regime and I hope they manage to find a sound political solution to end the current crisis soon.

In the 21st century, it is truly mind boggling that a country would invade and occupy territory of a neighbour in Europe. It should never happen.  You would think, as a human race we would have evolved enough by now, be wiser, more intelligent than our ancestors who lived 70 years ago. The atrocities committed during the Second World War and its wake should be enough to deter any form of belligerence between countries in Europe. During this dark chapter in our history people have learnt the true value of peace, freedom and territorial integrity.

Russia is clearly a country trapped in the past, its leaders pining for an era that caused nothing but chaos, heartache and despair for its people and those dragged into its circle. A great leader, whether he's running a country, company or is the head of the household should have three essential qualities - honour, integrity and honesty. If you do not possess these qualities then people will not trust you, they will not respect you. Putin has tarnished his reputation by riding roughshod over international law, invading Crimea, fomenting violence and unrest in Eastern Ukraine and failing to honour agreements. Instead of making Russia great, he is bringing the country down and in time he will feel the consequences of this.

On Europe Day we should reflect and be proud of all the things our respective independent nations have achieved. Unlike Russia, who believes the best time has been and gone, we in the rest of Europe strongly believe that the very best is yet to come!

Peter I House Museum Tallinn

Inspired by this old family photograph taken in 1922, I recently visited this quaint little cottage located on the grounds of Kadriorg. It was only a few months ago that a relative told me that it is known as Peter's House, and having heard some of the stories associated with it, I was eager to pay this place a visit. The cottage was built by Peter I in 1714 after he purchased over a hundred hectares of land in Tallinn to commission the construction of his new summer residence - Kadriorg Palace.

Although Kadriorg Palace was Peter I's offiicial summer residence in Tallinn, he often enjoyed staying at this cosy cottage and mingling with the locals. Years aftwards, watchmen of the house used to share true life stories describing events of Peter's visits to the house. 

Peter I.

The Russian emperor visited Kadriorg eleven times until his death in 1725.

After Peter died, the buildings here were left derelict for years until Tsar Alexander I 

visited in 1804 and ordered everything to be repaired.

The house has been open to the public at intervals throughout its history.

In 1941 Peter's House was officially opened as a museum. 

Everything in the house is original. 

All of the furniture has remained from Peter's time at the house.

Peter often sat at this table.

Dined with family and guests here.

Catherine the Great slept in this bed.

Peter the Great's hand cast and shoe.

Peter the Great's house is definitely worth a visit. It's an enjoyable step back into the 18th century.

More information can be found at: 

http://linnamuuseum.ee/peetrimaja/