It's apple season in Estonia!

Autumm is apple harvesting time in Estonia. Apples are the most popular and commonly grown fruit in Estonia, with over 1000 different varieties grown in the country and 53 types considered uniquely Estonian. Most houses with gardens in rural and suburban Estonia have at least one apple tree. They're ubiquitous! 

The most common apple varieties grown in Estonia are the 'Suislepp', 'Valge Klaar', 'Liivi kuldrenett', 'Tellissaare' and 'Tiina'.  During this time of year in Estonia it is common to find homeowners leaving boxes or bags of free surplus apples outside their homes for passersby to take.

Some fun facts:

Many Estonian apple varieties have human first names. For example Tiina, Meelis, Kersti, Taavi, Kaja and Krista. In total, there are 22 varieties of Estonian apples with such names. According to official statistics there are currently 4213 people in Estonia with the name Tiina, 3288 with the name Meelis and 2679 with the name Tiite. Apple (õun) is also a surname in Estonia and 629 people have this surname.

Photo flashback: Tallinn 1905

Colourised photo of  Harju Street. The intersection of Niguliste and Kullassepa streets in 1905. On the left stands the Writers' House, and on the right, the monument to Eduard Vilde.

The building on the corner belonged to Adolf Klaff who once owned Tallinn’s oldest stationery and office supply business. He established his business in 1883 at Harju Street 20, and in 1938, the business moved to Harju Street 21.

Harju Street was one of Tallinn’s oldest streets for merchants and artisans. From the 19th century onwards, the city's commercial life began to concentrate there, and by the early years of the Republic of Estonia, it had gradually developed into one of the city's most important business districts. 

Many of the buildings on Harju street were destroyed or severely damaged during the Soviet bombing raids of March 1944 but we have these old photographs to remind us how they once were.

New cabbage head monument dedicated to well loved books

Estonians are a nation of avid readers and rank among the most passionate book lovers in the world. Last week in Tallinn a new cabbage-head bust was placed in the inner courtyard of the Estonian National Library dedicated to well loved books.  The monument pays tribute and makes reference to the common Estonian expression "raamat on loetud kapsaks" that literally means "the book has been read into a cabbage," referring to books that have been read so many times they become worn and tattered.

"Monument to Books Worn to Shreds"

So what books do Estonians love to read so much?

Estonians love reading works by local Estonian authors, focusing heavily on national classics, historical fiction, folklore-inspired tales, and beloved children's literature.

The most popular books read by Estonians are:

1.Truth and Justice I (Tõde ja õigus) by Anton Hansen Tammsaare. Published in 1926, Volume One is  widely considered the Estonian national novel. This masterpiece explores the toil, philosophy, and soul of the Estonian people through rural life.

2. Kalevipoeg by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald. Estonia's national epic, charting the heroic and tragic deeds of the mythical giant Kalevipoeg protecting the land.

3. Spring (Kevade) by Oskar Luts. Published in 1912, the novel is a nostalgic, humorous, and deeply cherished portrait of school life in rural Estonia.

4. The Czar's Madman (Keisri hull) by Jaan Kross (1978). A world-renowned historical novel portraying 19th-century psychological resistance under the Russian Empire.

5. Apothecary Melchior Series by Indrek Hargla. Hugely popular contemporary murder mystery novels set in 15th-century mediaeval Tallinn.

6. The Man Who Spoke Snakish (Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu) by Andrus Kivirähk (2007). A modern folkloric masterpiece and massive bestseller blending magic, survival, and Estonian identity.

7. Three Jolly Fellows (Naksitrallid) by Eno Raud is considered a timeless classic of Estonian children's literature.

Beautiful Estonia: Jägala Waterfall

Jägala Waterfall is the widest natural waterfall in Estonia. Located 25km east of Tallinn, the waterfall is approximately 8 metres high and more than 50 metres wide. During winter Jägala Waterfall is a fascinating sight to see when the water freezes and becomes a glistening ice wall with large icicles. Sometimes a tunnel is formed during the freezing months between the wall of the waterfall and the ice hanging down the edge of the waterfall.

Estonia 5th best in EU for renewal energy

In the second quarter of 2026, 54.1% of the electricity generated in the European Union came from renewable energy sources. The highest shares were in Latvia (97.7%) and  Denmark (94.3%), the lowest in Slovakia (19.8%) and The Czech Republic (20.9%). Estonia came in at fifth place which is another excellent result for Estonia.

It's mushroom season in Estonia!

Mushroom season is in full swing in Estonia. Between the months of July and October Estonians love to head to the forest to pick mushooms. Seenelkäik / foraging mushrooms has often been described as a national sport in Estonia and is a deep-rooted cultural ritual. There are over 7000 species of mushrooms in Estonia with 400 of them considered edible. 

Last year over 100 tons of fresh or chilled mushrooms were exported from Estonia with a total value of 834 451 euros. Most of the mushrooms reached Sweden, Finland and Germany.  The most popular mushrooms were chanterelles (93 867 kg). They're so delicious!

Head Vanavanemate Päev! Happy Grandparents' Day!

Grandparents' Day (Vanavanemate päev) is celebrated on the second Sunday of September in Estonia. As of 1st January 2026, 330,291 people living in Estonia proudly held the title of grandparent. Here are some interesting facts about grandparents in Estonia.