Who was Emilie Rosalie Beermann?

Born in Pilistvere on the 16th of December 1860, Emilie Rosalie Beermann was the eldest of eight children in the family of Gustav Heinrich Beermann and Caroline Beermann. Her father was a school principal in Põltsamaa and gave her the name Emilie in honour of her godmother. Like her father, Emilie was an ardent nationalist and after graduating from Põltsamaa parish school, she became a crafts teacher for girls at the same school.

In 1881, the Estonian Students’ Society “Vironia” was founded at the University of Tartu. It was here where the colour combination of blue-black-white first emerged, selected as the fraternity's flag which later went on to become the national flag of Estonia. Emilie Beerman bought the blue, black and white fabric from the Leihberg cloth store in Põltsamaa and is credited as being the maker of the first blue-black-white flag in 1884. According to varying sources, Emilie did not sew the flag alone, Miina Hermann and Paula Hermann also took part in sewing the flag. Emilie's father made a pole for the flag in his workshop and her brother Christoph transported the flag to the Estonian Students’ Society (EÜS) in Tartu.

That original flag still exists today and can be viewed at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.

The blue, black and white (sinimustvalge) flag was adopted as the national flag of Estonia in 1918 and it is deeply cherished by all Estonians!

Paris 2024 Olympics: It all begins today!

Good luck to the Estonian athletes who are set to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. May they bring home many medals and make Estonia proud!

 

 

One hundred years ago, Paris also hosted the Olympic Games. Here is a photograph of Team Estonia in 1924. As you can see, it was very much a male dominated event back then. A lot has changed over the years. Thank goodness!

Fun fact: Estonia at the Olympics

The first time basketball was ever played at the Olympic Games was on the 7th August 1936 in Berlin. The opening match was played between Estonia and France and Estonia won 34 - 29. Basketball is the national sport of Estonia.

Evald Okas Museum reopens in Haapsalu

The museum dedicated to the works of Estonian artist Evald Okas has reopened in Haapsalu after a two-year renovation. The 19th century museum building underwent major structural refurbishment to modernise the gallery with new technical communication equipment and heating system.

Evald Okas (28 November 1915 – 30 April 2011) was best known for his portraits of nudes and working in the medium of charcoals. In 1947, Okas, along with Elmar Kits and Richard Sagrits painted the ceiling of the Estonian National Opera. Okas later became a professor at the Estonian State Art Institute.

More information about the Evald Okas Museum can be found here.

Enjoy the next full moon in Tallinn

The next full moon can be seen tomorrow on July 21. The moon will still appear full the night before and after its peak for the casual stargazer to enjoy. During this time it would be a great opportunity to take a few photographs of the moon set against Tallinn's stunning skyline. Let's hope the night sky will be clear!

Old photographs of Tallinn

I love viewing old photographs of Tallinn. In them I catch a glimpse of a bygone era that was once familar to my grandparents and their parents. One of the great things about Tallinn is that many of these lovely old buildings still exist today and I can experience visiting them for myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tallinn's Old Town Square

Located in the heart of Tallinn's Old Town, the Town Hall Square has long been a central hub of activity. First mentioned in 1313, the town square is lined with beautiful old medieval buildings and is where some of the oldest streets in the city start. Tallinn's Town Square is one of the most lively and social places in the city and has witnessed much over the centuries. Various markets, festivals, carnivals, wedding ceremonies, film shoots, as well as executions have all taken place on this site.

In the past, Tallinn's market square has been known by many different names. In 1371 it was known by the Latin name 'Forum' then 'Old Market' (Vana Turg)  in 1442 and later 'New Market' (Neu Markt). At the end of the 18th century, the town square was called the 'German market' (Deutscher Markt) then the 'Swedish Market' (Schwedischer Markt). In 1923, after independence,  the square was officially named Raekoja Plats.  

 

Raekoja Plats in 1926