Vanilla Ninja to represent Estonia at Eurovision

Last night, Estonian girl band Vanilla Ninja won Eesti Laul with their song 'Too Epic to be True' and will go on to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in May.

Vanilla Ninja originally formed in 2002 as a four-piece girl band with members Lenna Kuurmaa, Piret Järvis, Katrin Siska and Maarja Kivi. The band has released five albums and had a string of hit songs, most popular in Estonia, Germany and Austria. Band members have changed over the years with Vanilla Ninja now a trio, consisting of Lenna Kuurmaa, Piret Järvis and Kerli Kivilaan.

2026 will be the first time Vanilla Ninja will represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2005 they did take part in the competition, representing Switzerland with their song 'Cool Vibes'. They came 8th place in the competition. 

Fun fact for Valentine's Day

Which European Union countries imported the most roses from other EU countries per capita in 2024?

Happy Valentine's Day!

In Estonia Valentine's Day is known as 'Sõbrapäev' (Friend's Day). It is a day not only reserved for romantic love, but a celebration of friendship, kindness, and affection for friends and family. On Sõbrapäev hand written cards are exchanged, flowers are given as well as heart-shaped chocolates and sweets. It is a day to show those nearest to you that you care.

For the past four years in Estonia there has been a nationwide initiative called "Estonia's Biggest Hearts". It's a  competition to form the largest heart-shaped human chain in honour of Valentine's Day. This year a total of 45 local governments and over 6,000 people participated in the event. Last year, Narva set the record, with 489 people joining hands, and they might win again this year with over 600 Narva residents participating. Great effort went into making the heart perfectly symmetrical.

 

Narva residents form heart-shaped human chain for Valentine's Day.
 

Ice-roads officially open in Estonia

A 17-kilometer-long ice road was officially opened by the Transport Administration on Sunday between Estonia's biggest islands, Hiiumaa and Saaremaa, to give islanders an alternative route to the mainland as ferry services struggle with sea ice. To ensure safety on the 24-centimeter-thick route, drivers must adhere to strict protocols, including a ban on seatbelts to allow for emergency exits and a mandatory "speed gap" between 20 and 40 kph to prevent destructive ice vibrations. Ice-roads have cultural significance in Estonia but due to the recent mild winters, they have not been open for the past eight years.

Estonia: A truly 'switched on' country

Estonia introduced online voting in 2005.  For over twenty years Estonians have chosen not stand in long queues at polling stations, but instead, vote in the privacy of their own home that only takes minutes. Fast, efficient e-services is what makes Estonia shine above the rest!

5 highlights from the past week in Estonia

Last week was an eventful week for Estonia. The Winter Olympic Games commenced in Italy on February 6 and for the first time the event is being hosted in two cities - Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Winter Olympics will run until February 22. Estonians excel at winter sports, especially in events such as crossing-country skiing, ice skating and biathion. It would be great to see Team Estonia come home with a few medals this year!

Estonia in review last week.

1. Estonians athletes shine bright at the Winter Olympic Games, with a win in mixed doubles curling.

 

Estonian mixed doubles curling duo Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill took their 

first win so far at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy. 

They must play nine rounds in total.

 2.  The largest battery park in continental Europe was opened in Kiisa, Harju County, on Tuesday, capable of serving 90,000 households.

3. Estonia opens 'Point of Invincibility' in Kyiv to help residents during winter blackouts.

4.  Ice road opens between Tärkma in Hiiumaa and Triigi in Saaremaa. 

5. Defence Industry Growth. Twelve Estonian defence companies shared €1.8 million in project development support. It's the largest sum awarded to date.

Tartu Folk X Final Concert

Last November the final concert of the 'Tartu Folk X Lõppkontsert' took place in the form of a web show, highlighting the Year of the Estonian Book. Performances represented characters from Estonian fairy tales. The closing concert was held at the bridge area of the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.