Spring solstice accompanied by aurora borealis

The Estonian island of Saaremaa is the best place to capture images of the northern lights.  This photo was taken a few days ago and is truly stunning.

New Estonian commemorative stamps

Estonia has released two new commemorative stamps marking important historic dates - the100th Anniversary of the Great Seal of the Republic of Estonia, and 35 years of Nordic-Baltic cooperation.

The First State Seal of Estonia was ordered in 1925 from the London firm Waterlow & Sons and, by law, was used only in foreign relations, which is why very few seal impressions have survived. In October 1992, President Lennart Meri initiated the production of a new state seal, which was manufactured by Helsingin Leimaisintehdas. The matrix and patrix of the first state seal are currently on display at Stenbock House. 

 

 

When Estonia restored its independence in 1991 and returned to the European family of nations the Nordic countries contributed to its democracy by offering their knowledge, experience and values. In the decades since, this has evolved into a mutual partnership: not just one of providing assistance, but a common space in which all are free to act. The tree on this stamp symbolises that connection, with common roots carrying experience of the past, the trunk consolidating trust and the branches stretching out into the future. On those branches, flags fly like leaves – each with its own face, but all part of the same canopy. 

 

Both stamps can be purchased online on the Omniva website.

Estonia is the cleanest country in the world

According to the latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI) Estonia ranks number one with a score of 75.7. The index evaluates 180 countries based on factors such as air quality, waste management, climate policy, biodiversity protection and water resources. This is an another excellent result for Estonia. More information can be found here.

2024 EU Housing Statistics

Housing figures from 2024 have revealed that the majority of Estonians prefer to own their home rather than rent. 79% of the Estonian population lives in a dwelling owned by a member of their household, making owner-occupancy high compared to the EU average. In comparison, it is interesting to note that less than half of the people living in Germany own their own home.

Head Emakeelepäev / Happy Mother Tongue Day!

Today is Emakeelepäev in Estonia, a day to celebrate the beautiful Estonian language. This national holiday has been celebrated in Estonia since 1996 to mark the birthday of Estonian poet Kristjan Jaak Peterson. Peterson was one of the first Estonian language writers and is credited for establishing the foundation for Estonian literature.

80th anniversary of the Baltic University

A special screening of Helga Merits' documentary "The Story of the Baltic University" will take place on March 19 at the Vabamu Museum in Tallinn to mark the 80th anniversary. The Baltic University in Exile was established in 1946 in Germany by Baltic refugees to educate students from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, who had been forced to put their studies on hold and flee the advancing Red Army. The university started in Hamburg and later relocated to Pinneberg where it had around 1,200 students in its eight faculties. 

A total of 76 students graduated from the Baltic University, including seven Estonians. Those who did not complete their studied left because they found permanent homes and jobs in other countries.

My grandfather Alexander was a student at the Baltic University and studied economics and agriculture. His student record revealed he planned to emigrate to Brazil, but later changed his mind and moved to Australia instead. The Baltic Unversity is considered a remarkable success in terms of providing high-quality education to Baltic refugees under extremely difficult post-war circumstances. The university closed in September 1949 and today, the main archive of the Baltic University is kept at the Uppsala University Library in Sweden.

Historic Estonian flag to return home from Australia

An Estonian Presidential flag that was rescued in September 1944, where it had flown in front of Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn during the interim government of acting prime minister Otto Tief, is on its way back home to Estonia from Australia.

The flag was rescued by Eugen Vilder, an Estonian soldier who retrieved it from the flagpole, preventing it from being destroyed by the occupying Soviet forces. Joined by his mother and sister, Vilder fled the capital with the flag wrapped around his body under his clothes. The flag was then transported to Germany and eventually made its way to Australia in 1949 where Vilder kept it safe until his death in 2021. His descendants only discovered the flag recently, and decided to return it home to Estonia. An official handover ceremony took place today at the Sydney Estonian House and the flag will be transported to the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.

Australia is home to the seventh-largest Estonian community abroad which numbers approximately 11,500 people.