A frosty look at Estonia from space

January 2026 provided excellent conditions for space photography. This photograph taken by the MODIS instrument on NASA's Terra satellite, observed Estonia from space. This image shows clouds, ice and snow conditions in Estonia and its vicinity. It is estimated that almost 90,000 km² of the Baltic Sea was covered with ice on that day.

 

This winter has been one of the coldest in Estonia for many years, with the air temperature measuring almost 5 degrees below average in January. February is expected to be even colder with meteorologists predicting the temperature dropping to -30 degree this month.

Some of Estonia's islands face the worst ice conditions in a decade, halting ferries and forcing residents to rely on hovercraft of ATVs for deliveries of essentials.

Today marks 106 years since the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty

On the 2nd of February 1920 the Tartu Peace Treaty was signed between Estonia and Soviet Russia. Russia agreed to recognise Estonia's independence and the borders of its territory. With the signing of the treaty, Estonia's War of Independence came to an end.

Jaan Poska, chief negotiator of the treaty and later the first Foreign Minister of Estonia said, “For the first time in 700 years, Estonia decided its own fate.”

The Tartu Peace Treaty is considered the birth centificate of the Republic of Estonia.

 

Jaan Poska (centre)

 

Tommy Cash wins 3 awards at the 2026 Estonian Music Awards

Eccentric Estonian singer Tommy Cash scooped up three awards at the Estonian Music Awards in Tallinn last week. The Eurovision favourite won 'Song of the Year' with his hit 'Espresso Macchiato' as well as 'Pop Artist of the Year' and 'Male Artist of the Year'. Newcomers Sadu also won three awards this year. The folk pop band won 'Album of the Year', 'Band of the Year' and 'Debut Album of the Year' for "Probleemid paradiisis." 

 

'Espresso Macchiato'  was only a huge hit in Estonia last year but also in Italy and Germany. 

 

You can watch the Estonian Music Awards / Eesti Muusikaauhinnad 2026 here. 

            

 

Arvo Pärt remains the most-performed living composer in the world

According to the classical music website Bachtrack, Estonian Arvo Pärt is once again named the most-performed contemporary living composer in the world. 

Five of Arvo Pärt's works were among the top ten most-performed pieces in the world last year, with "Fratres," "Da pacem Domine," "Magnificat" and "Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten" the four most frequently performed. 

The Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa regularly collects data on performances of Arvo Pärt's works around the world. Last year, the centre recorded 1,130 concerts and 6 music festivals dedicated to Arvo Pärt in honour of his 90th birthday. 

Most popular baby names in Estonia for 2025

The Estonian Office of Statistics has released information from the population register revealing the most popular baby names in 2025. Sofia was the most popular girls name in Estonia last year and Mark topped the list for boys. In total there were 9,092 live births in Estonia last year.

Estonia's Mighty Oak Tree

The Tamme-Lauri oak is the thickest and oldest tree in Estonia. It was named after Laurits, the god of fire who is said to live inside the tree. The Tamme-Lauri oak is believed to be 700 years old, planted in the year 1326. Legend has it that the tree started growing from a carriage part that a Swedish king hit into the ground. 

The tree has been hit by lightning many times over the centuries and has become hollow inside. Seven people can fit inside the trunk.

 

 The Tamme-Lauri oak is located in Antsla Parish, Võru County.

Photo flashback: Interior view of the Mulgi Express in 1935

The Estonian Mõisaküla–Viljandi railway line was opened in 1897. On the 19th of  July 1935, a test run was made with a new narrow-gauge diesel railcar. The railcar reached a maximum speed of 85 km/h, and an average speed of 62 km/h, which was considered excellent speed indicators for a narrow-gauge railway in those days. The railcars, painted green, were given the designations DeM 1 and DeM 2. In 1935 the public christened the new railcar the "Mulgi Express". 

 

Interior view of carriage number 502.