Virtual tour of the Estonian Open Air Museum

No trip to Tallinn is compete without a visit to the Estonian Open Air Museum. Located 15 minutes from the city centre in Tallinn’s picturesque Rocca al Mare district, the museum showcases 18th - 20th century rural Estonian life. Situated on 72-hectares of land, the museum features nearly 80 authentic historic buildings that have been relocated from all across Estonia. These buildings include 14 farmhouses, a church, schoolhouse, tavern, and windmills. The  Estonian Open Air Museum is an excellent way to explore Estonia’s agricultural history.

This virtual tour video provides an overview of how fascinating this museum truly is. More information can be found here.

'Estonians' poem by Kristina Ruder

 

 Estonians
The windy sky of the fatherland.
A homely, beloved land.
We are the light day and night.
The earth is more beautiful with us.
We live here and there.
Goodness and joy radiate in us.
A voice rings in our souls
The breath of the river of life carries us.
Colours and winds in the soul.
The path of hope in the air.
Good words are carried by the lips,
They live from generation to generation.

'It belongs to everyone': The history of Estonia's first flag (ERR News)

Today we celebrate Estonian Flag Day / Eesti lipu päev. Estonia holds the record for the oldest preserved original national flag in the world. The iconic blue-black-white tricolour flag, affectionately known as 'sinimustvalge' among Estonians, has a fascinating history, deeply intertwined with the country's fight for survival and identity.

Those aware of its history may already know that the Estonian flag was originally a fraternity flag and that the date celebrated as Flag Day (June 4th) marks the anniversary of its consecration as the flag of the Estonian Students' Society (EÜS) in 1884.

In honour of Estonian Flag Day, ERR News has published an article about Estonia's beloved national flag. You can read it here. 

The historic Estonian Students'Society flag on display after being dug out from hiding in 1991. It underwent professional conservation in 1992.

Photo flashback: Café Marcelle / Jegorov House

In the early 1920s, Estonia's first cabaret dancing couple, 'René and Marcelle' (real names Bernhard Leer and Rosalie Leer), raised a large sum of money to open Café Marcelle in the basement of Jegorov House in Tallinn. Café Marcelle opened in 1925 and quickly became one of the city's premiere hotspots. It was celebrated for hosting The Murphy Band, who were known as Estonia's first professional jazz orchestra. 

The Jegorov House building has an interesting history.

  

In 1918, a wealthy Russian textiles merchant by the name of Iwan Jegorovitš (Ivan Jegorov) purchased a massive block of buildings in the heart of Tallinn's Old Town. He transformed the entire block spanning Raekoja plats, Kinga, Pikk, and Mündi streets into a modern, prestigious commercial and residential complex, designed by renowned architect Artur Perna. During this time Raekoja plats 8 became known as Jegorov House. 

 

Café Marcelle was located at Raekoja plats 8 in Jegorov House. 

 

Jegorov was one of the wealthiest Russians in Tallinn during this period. He was well-known not only for building a highly successful business empire in trade and real estate, but also for his charitable contributions. He gave generously to the Orthodox Church in Estonia, and he frequently supported the poor and orphanages. Jegorov's life was cut short when he was arrested by the NKVD during the Soviet occupation in August 1940. He was deported to the Gulag system and died in a Siberian prison camp in 1942.

 

Iwan Jegorovitš (Ivan Jegorov 1875–1942) 

During the Soviet occpuation of  Estonia, Café Marcelle's name, which was considered too Western, was first changed to Laine and subsequently to Vana Toomas. In 2002, the historic restaurant was completely renovated and named Maikrahvi after a medieval legend. Today, the Maikrahvi complex also includes a café overlooking Raekoja plats, which continues to bear the name of Vana Toomas.

Estonian historic figure: Jakob Hurt

Jakob Hurt was a pivotal Estonian folklorist, theologian, linguist, and academic, often called the "King of Estonian Folklore". A leading figure in the Estonian national awakening, Hurt organised a massive nationwide campaign in the 1870s to collect traditional Estonian stories, songs, and cultural oral history. 1400 volunteers took part in the project, visiting almost every home in Estonia and producing over 124,000 written pages. Hurt's quest to preserve Estonia's oral culture was to be published in a six volume collection called 'Monumenta Estoniae Antiquae' however, due to financial difficulties, only two volumes of folk songs were published in 1875-76, entitled 'Vana kannel' (Old Harp).

During the first Estonian Song Festival in Tartu in 1869, Hurt delivered a highly regarded historical speech urging Estonians to remain loyal to their nation, seek unity, and promote education in their mother tongue. Thanks to Jakob Hurt's tireless efforts and dedication he safeguarded Estonia's cultural heritage from assimilation.

 

 Jakob Hurt (1839–1907) 

In honour of Hurt's work in preserving Estonian culture, his image featured on the 10 kroon banknote.

The Most Amazing Places to Visit in Estonia

59% of Estonians keep old mobile phones

According to Eurostat 51% of people living in the European Union keep an old phone at home. Somewhere in a drawer, a bag, or forgotten on a shelf. In Estonia this figure is higher at 59.1%. The tendency to hold onto things is a common trait in Estonia, deeply rooted in the country's history. Rather than hoarding, it stems from a practical, frugal mindset. 

I have to agree with the data. Here are two of my old phones that I keep in a cupboard at home and I'm sure if I look around in my father's desk drawer, I would find an old Nokia there too!