Swedish influence on Estonian food

I really like the Scandinavian concept of hygge - indulging in simple cosy comforts that creates a sense of well-being. There are many little rituals I enjoy doing on a daily basis - drinking a good cup of coffee in the morning, reading in the afternoon and illuminating my home with candles at night. They all bring small amounts of happiness. During a recent trip to IKEA I went in search of some new candles as bargains can always be found after the Christmas period. I purchased some really nice vanilla scented candles and also a packet of Swedish ginger biscuits and a bottle of mulled wine. Later when I tried the biscuits and wine at home, I was surprised to find they tasted remarkably similar to piparkoogid and glögi. As I was unable to visit Estonia last Christmas, to taste these familar flavours again, instantly brought a smile to my face. It also made me wonder what other Swedish foods resemble what I consider traditional Estonian food.

 

 

Estonia and the Scandinavian nations of Sweden and Denmank have a long shared history that dates back to medieval times. Estonia was part of the Swedish empire for centuries until Sweden lost territory after its defeat in the Great Northern War (1700 -1721). It makes sense that Swedish influence found its way into Estonian cuisine. Even though many centuries have passed, and one occupier replaced another until freedom was achieved, some things from the ‘good old Swedish times' remain present in modern-day Estonian cuisine.

Similar Estonian Swedish foods

If there is one common food item that can be found everywhere in Estonia and in Sweden, it is undoubtedly cinnamon rolls (kaneelirullid in Estonian) and  (kanelbullar in Swedish). All bakeries sell these delicious buns and they can even be found in IKEA stores all around the world. Estonians and Swedes share a passion for using cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves in their baked goods.

Baltic herrings and black bread. Considered a national dish in Estonia, it is also very popular in neighbouring Sweden. Unfortunately over the centuries this species has been overfished and stocks in the Baltic Sea have dwindled markedly.

Open sandwiches. These are equally popular in both Swedish and Estonian cultures and are known as võileib in Estonian and smörgås in Swedish. They are typically served as appetisers at parties and gatherings, often as part of a buffet / smörgåsbord.

Easter Buns. While a lot of countries celebrate Shrove Tuesday by eating pancakes, people in Estonia and Sweden prefer to eat cream buns. Known as vastlakuklid in Estonian and Semla in Swedish, these buns are soft and fluffy and filled with whipped cream and various other toppings.

It is interesting to note that many Estonians have Swedish ancestry and it's quite possible that some of those old family recipes passed down from generation to generation, might have originated from across the Baltic Sea.

Estonian Jaan Roose Completes Record-Breaking Highline Walk in Dubai

Three-time world champion slackliner Jaan Roose recently completed a 100m-long highline in Dubai. The walk was set up at a height of 224 metres between the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

 

  

Estonia farewells President Arnold Rüütel

The funeral service for former President Arnold Rüütel took place today at the Estonia Theater and he will be laid to rest in Tallinn's Forest Cemetery. Arnold Rüütel was Estonia's second president after the restoration of independence. He was in office from 2001-2006 during the pivotal time when Estonia joined NATO and the EU. Arnold Rüütel passed away on December 31 at the age of 96. Puhka rahus.

 

Arnold Rüütel was born in Pahavalla, Laimjala Parish, Saaremaa.

Tickets to the 2025 Estonian Song and Dance Festival now on sale!

The countdown has begun to the biggest and most marvellous event of the year - the XXVIII Song Festival and XXI Dance Festival. Held every five years since 1869, the Song and Dance Festival unites Estonians from all over the world. This year's festival is titled "Iseoma" (Kinship) and will take place in Tallinn from 3 - 6 July 2025 at the Song Festival Grounds, Kalev Stadium, and Freedom Square.

The parade and opening concert will take place on Saturday 5th of July and the final concert will be held on Sunday. There will be three performances of the dance festival from the 3–4 July at Kalev Stadium and a free folk musicians' concert will also take place at Freedom Square on July 4. 

This marvellous event is not to be missed! Tickets are now on sale from the Laulupidu website.

January 6 marks a new era of passenger train travel in the Baltics

From today, train operators in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have synchronised their timetables making it much easier to travel by train between the three Baltic countries. The new Tallinn-Vilnius passenger train connection that was launched today will also improve connections to Tartu and Southern Estonia. This is part of the Rail Baltica Project that will eventually connect the Baltic countries to Poland and Central Europe by 2030.

 More information about tickets and timetables can be found here.

Once upon a time in Narva

Narva was once a beautiful Estonian city before the Russians bombed it and levelled it to the ground during World War Two. Old photographs remind us of what life used to be like in Narva. According to the 1934 census, Narva's population was 65% ethnic Estonian, today it is only 5%.

 

Narva was a beautiful baroque city before its destruction in 1944.

 

Narva's Old Town.

 

Narva's Town Hall  in 1930

 

Boys peering over a fence to watch a football game.

 

 

Hungerburg (Narva-Jõesuu) 

Kiriku Tänav

 

 

 

Narva students in 1936

Honouring those who fought in Estonia’s War of independence

Today we celebrate the 105th anniversary of the armistice between Estonia and Soviet Russia, that marked victory for Estonia in the War of Independence. 6000 volunteers lost their lives during the Estonian War of Independence that took place between 28 November 1918 – 2 February 1920. Today we honour all those brave men who fought to secure Estonia's freedom.

 

 

Estonians understand the true cost of freedom. It never came for free.