Monday, 14 May 2012
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Where to Buy Estonian Birthday Cards
A range of Estonian birthday cards can be found on Amazon.-
More Estonian cards can be found at http://www.zazzle.com/merelind
Monday, 7 May 2012
Estonian Rissoles Recipe
This is my father's recipe which my whole family loves. I suspect
it may even have been my grandmother's recipe too. They're so tasty!!
Ingredients
500g
minced beef
4
slices of bread
I
large onion – grated
1
packet chicken soup mix
2
eggs
Salt
and pepper
½
cup plain flour
Method
In
a large bowl, soak the bread in water until soppy and then drain well. Add the beef, onion, and soup mix and combine well. Beat eggs and add to mix along with
desired amount of salt and pepper. On a cutting board sprinkle the flour evenly
upon the surface. Take 1/8th of the mix into your hands and roll into
a ball, then gently roll the rissole onto the flour to seal the surface. Place
on a lined baking tray ready to BBQ, grill or fry. Makes approximately 8
rissoles.
Friday, 4 May 2012
Estonia Celebrates 100 Years of Film History.
With a centenary of cinema to celebrate, Estonia used April 30 to recognise the achievements of some its most venerated stars and directors.
The small Baltic state of Estonia pulled out all the stops on Monday as it commemorated 100 years since the first Estonian movie - Johannes Pääsuke’s 1912 political storyBear Hunt in Pärnu County (Karujaht Pärnumaal) – was made.
The day began with the ferrying of various local film luminaries from Tallinn to the university town of Tartu on the ‘CineTrain’. Replete with film posters from the history of Estonian cinema, on board screenings of classic moments from Estonian film history and a free drink or two, the ‘CineTrain’ ensured the assembled throng were in high spirits on arrival.
A parade from Tartu Train Station to the Estonian National Museum - where a stamp commemorating Johannes Pääsuke was unveiled – kept the party atmosphere alive and on to the evening for the Estonian Film 100th Anniversary Award Show.
Broadcast live on national television, the show itself was an impressive affair striking a fine balance between reverence and humour. Noted comedians/actors Ott Sepp and Märt Avandi took hosting duties and – a la Billy Crystal at the Oscars – inserted themselves into scenes of renowned Estonian movies, much to the delight of the audience.
The awards themselves – voted for by a panel of Estonian film industry experts – ranged from the light-hearted (including ‘Best Quote’, ‘Best Couple’ and ‘Motif That Has Defined Estonian Cinema’ – which went to ‘ambiguous eyes’) to the more serious matters of Best Actor (which went to Lembit Ulfsak, the star of numerous films and TV shows) and Best Actress (the winner of which, Elle Kull, appeared by video to say that she didn’t deserve it.)
The biggest winner of the night was Kevade (Spring)(1969), a beloved coming-of-age tale adapted from a classic Estonian novel, which won Best Estonian Film of All Time as voted by the public. Receiving his award from Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the President of Estonia, director Arvo Kruusement received a standing ovation
Whilst very much a celebration of times past, the ceremony and ensuing after-party saw venerated directors mix with their contemporary counterparts (including Ilmar Raag, the director of Estonian hit filmKlass) and – for one day at least – the Estonian Film Industry felt very big indeed.