Escape the heat and head to Estonia this summer!

The heatwave currently gripping most of Western and Central Europe has once again highlighted the region's lack of infrastructure when it comes to air conditioning and cooling. Temperatures have been above 30°C in many parts of Europe this week, causing many people to rethink their travel plans. While tourists love to flock to the Mediterranean Coast for a summer holiday, the crowds and heat are less appealing to many this year.  For a cooler summertime destination, Estonia may be the answer.  Estonia is a phenomenal summer destination because it offers the perfect "coolcation" escape. You get to experience pleasant temperatures rarely above 25°C, stunningly long "White Nights" (up to 19+ hours of daylight), and diverse landscapes from sandy beaches, dense forests, and pristine nature reserves, all without the massive tourist crowds of Southern Europe. Estonia is definitely the place to be this summer!

Estonian War of Independence animated video

Yesterday was Victory Day in Estonia. Victory Day is an Estonian national holiday that was first celebrated in 1934 and commemorates the victory at the Battle of Vonnu in 1919, which marked a turning point in the Estonian War of Independence. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Victory Day also celebrates all Estonian forces who fight to retain the country's independence. 

The Estonian War of Independence (1918-1920) took place in the aftermath World War One. This animated video details how Independence was finally achieved for Estonia.

Today is Jaanipäev in Estonia!

Midsummer is celebrated on the 23rd of June in Estonia. On this day many ancient traditions are practised including lighting bonfires, catching glowworms  and weaving flower crowns. The 'white nights' in Estonia means the sky remains illuminated until dawn so we can party all night long. The 23rd of June also marks Victory Day from the Estonian War of Independence. Tomorrow is a public holiday in Estonia, a day to rest and recover from the biggest party of the year! "Head jaanipäeva!"

Jaanipäev party Song

Tomorrow is a very important day on the Estonian calendar. Jaanipäev is Estonia's most celebrated summer holiday, corresponding to Midsummer Day or the Summer Solstice. The holiday is deeply rooted in both ancient pagan traditions and modern national identity. Core traditions include: bonfires, folk music, lots of foods and drink and being close to nature. "Head Jaanipäeva!"

Tallinn to get new T6 tram line

A new T6 tram line in Tallinn will be introduced in August to provide a fast connection between Kopli, the city centre and Suur-Paala. The new line was created in response to strong requests from residents in North Tallinn to accommodate the growing number of commuters to the Ülemiste business district. 

After a three year pause due to construction work, the Tallinn airport tram service will resume in August and will be operated by lines T2 and T4. Tallinn recently updated its public transport system to add a "T" prefix to all tram lines (e.g., T2, T4, T6) to make the public transport network clearer and easier to understand for both residents and visitors.  

What proportion of income do Europeans spend on housing?

European wallets are being squeezed by high housing costs. This map shows how much of disposable income people spend on housing across Europe including rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and other housing-related costs.

The biggest financial pressure is in Greece, where housing costs take about 35.2% of disposable income, the highest in the EU. Denmark and Germany are also near the top, both above 25%. Meanwhile, countries like Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal, and Italy show lower shares, meaning housing takes a smaller portion of average disposable income. In Estonia the figure is 17.7%.

The EU average is shown at 19.2%, but the map makes one thing clear: the “housing crisis” does not hit every country equally. In some places, housing is uncomfortable. In others, it is becoming one of the biggest financial burdens in daily life.

Vabamu Museum exhibition: "Estonia Worldwide"

“Estonia Worldwide” is a major temporary exhibition at the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom in Tallinn that explores 150 years of the Estonian diaspora. The exhibition highlights the personal stories of Estonians who have lived, worked, and built communities abroad through three distinct migration waves. For Estonians abroad, this exhibition offers recognition that Estonian culture has been kept alive across generations, borders, and oceans.

The exhibition is curated by anthropologists and historians Martin Vaino, Ede Schank Tamkivi, and Terje Toomistu. It uses personal artifacts, photographs, documents, and video testimonies to answer the question: What does it mean to be Estonian when your address is somewhere else? 

The "Estonia Worldwide" exhibition runs until January 2028. More information can be found here.