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