Estonian Crafts

Here are two patchwork items my sister Sarah made for me incorporating the Estonian colours. Like all Estonians I love it when someone gives me a handmade gift.

Gerd Kanter Takes Bronze in Discus at the London Olympics

Congratulations to discus thrower Gerd Kanter who earned Estonia its second medal of the 2012 Olympics. He finished third in the event with a 68.03m throw behind Ehsan Hadadi of Iran who won silver and Robert Harting of Germany who took gold.

Heiki Nabi kanti õlgadel medalipeole

Heiki Nabi kanti õlgadel medalipeole

Wrestler Heiki Nabi wins silver at the London Olympics

Well done to Heiki Nabi who won a silver medal for Estonia today.

The Way to an Estonian Woman’s Heart

Attracting an Estonian woman starts in much the same way as attracting any woman.  She needs to find you interesting, confident, so comfortable in your own skin it hurts, and funny.  In fact, given the somewhat reserved nature of Estonian people and our propensity to be cold with strangers until we’ve got to know them, this makes humour and “breaking the ice” all the more important. However, since Estonians are quiet by nature and averse to brashness, your humour needs to be very subtle but still just as effective. 

Don’t be fooled by an Estonian woman’s tough exterior or serious demeanour. It’s really a mask waiting to be taken off.  Being short on words, wary of strangers and “straight” is probably hardwired into our DNA as all Estonians are like this. Although we appear this way outwardly, this is not necessarily how we are with those in our intimate circle.  Once you crack that exterior and find the gem that lies within, you’ll never want to let it go. Estonian women are unique. They are beautiful inside and out and it slowly shines through the more you get to know them.  They will, in time, exude the loveliness that comes so naturally to them. 

To win the heart of an Estonian woman is to know what she values. The longevity of your relationship will be determined by whether your values are in line with hers.

Here are some points for you to be aware of:

1. Family comes first to all Estonians although family life is closed to strangers. It’s common for daughters to take care their parents when they reach the later years of their lives. It’s a mark of respect for her own upbringing. Extended family is also important to an Estonian woman. Nieces, nephews etc are often treated in the same manner as if she were caring for her own children. An Estonian woman sees her family as one big unit rather than offshoot branches. If you respect her family, you respect her.

2. Estonian woman like men who are good with their hands. Whether it’s creating things or knowing how to fix things, she will be impressed.

3. All Estonians love nature. So if you want to plan a romantic getaway, do it with Mother Nature’s landscape around you. You will always receive an appreciative smile if you present your loved one with a bouquet of wild flowers.

4. Estonians are not known for their humour but they do enjoy a good laugh. It’s hard not to stir embers in a woman’s heart if you make her laugh.

5. Estonian women like making homemade things so if you give her something you made yourself, she will be touched and it will bring a smile to her face.

6. Be honest, thoughtful and genuine. An Estonian woman has a knack for detecting “put on” or unnatural behaviour. If you want her to love you for you, then you must be yourself.    

7. Traditions are very important to Estonian women. After being occupied by foreign forces for centuries, keeping up traditions is what enabled the Estonian culture and language to survive. It’s very dear to them. So celebrating occasions such as Christmas, birthdays, different festival s etc which means spending time with family and friends and cooking up a feast is what they enjoy doing the most.

                                                          .....

Estonian women often ridicule their men for letting themselves go and having poor social skills. Don’t let yourself be one of these men.

If you’ve hurt an Estonian woman, let her down or created a problem that need not be in your relationship then you will need to do whatever it takes to repair the damage. Experts say it takes five good experiences to neutralise the memory of a bad one so you must do this. If you want to put things right between you, she must see the effort you are prepared to make in order to get the relationship back on track again. If she loves you, she’ll be willing to forgive you but she must feel loved first to enable this to happen.  We all make mistakes, especially when we make poor choices in the heat of the moment, don’t get all the facts first or act in fear. Once you identify where you went wrong you can then rectify the situation and restore the balance.

Remember, an Estonian woman will always appreciate sincere efforts and honest words that come from the heart.  Grand gestures may be required if repairing the damage of a major error.  The degree in which you put yourself out will show her how sorry you are. The most important thing to bear in mind however is that your actions should always match your words. This is of utmost importance.  

Estonia Launches 2012 Olympics 12 Euro Silver Coin

The Bank of Estonia have launched (24^th July) their latest collector coin to mark the XXX Olympiad hosted this year in London from the 27^th July. During the presentation ceremony, which was held in the main auditorium of the Bank of Estonia’s newly renovated Museum, the Bank’s President Ardo Hansson was joined by many past and present athletes who have made their mark in previous Olympic Games.

Estonian athletes have participated in the Olympics under their own flag almost immediately after establishing independence in 1918. The Games in 1920 saw the first Estonian team participate and after the re-establishment of Independence in 1991, the Barcelona Games of 1992 welcomed the Estonian team once again. On hand to join in the presentation were Jaak Uudmäe, former triple jumper and long jumper, and gold medalist winner at the 1980 Summer Olympics - Jüri Tarmak, competitor in the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany in the high jump where he won the gold medal - Ivar Stukolkin, an Olympic champion in swimming, Ivar won the gold medal competing in the 1980 Games in Moscow. Each Olympian who attended the ceremony was presented with the latest Estonian Olympic commemorative coin by Mr. Hansson.

The silver coin, which has a face value of 12 EURO is struck at the Royal Dutch Mint and is the work of artist Liis Dvorjanski (who was herself presented with one of the first strikes by Mr. Hansson). The obverse depicts the artist’s interpretation of the visual image of movement, synonymous with sporting activity – represented with wavy lines and swirls reminiscent of human movement. The reverse includes a traditional representation of the national coat of arms of Estonia and the year 2012 integrated with a correspondent design of the obverse.

Minted in pure silver (.999 fine), the coin is struck in proof quality with a weight of 28.2 grams and a diameter of 38.6 mm. A mintage of just 7,500 coins has been authorized for distribution. This is the fourth Olympic related commemorative coin issued by Estonia and second EURO-denominated coin issued by the Bank of Estonia, the first was in 2011 marking Estonia’s adoption of the single currency.

For more information on this and other coins offered by the Bank of Estonia, please visit the website of the Bank’s Museum retail shop at:http://www.eestipank.ee/pub/en/press/muuseum/pood/ For international orders – please visit the retail store of the Estonian Post shop website at:http://www.post.ee/9521 Both sites are in English but Estonian Post can fulfill orders to most countries.

Estonia - Olympic Opening Ceremony 2012