The Ropewalker by Jaan Kross now available in English

The first part of Jaan Kross's epic trilogy 'Kolme katku vahel' has been translated into English and released today under the title 'The Ropewalker'. The novel tells the story of a man who rose from peasant stock to become Estonia's most famous medieval chronicler - Balthasar Russow.

  

Between Three Plagues

Volume I: The Ropewalker

Jaan Kross is Estonia's best-known and most widely translated author. He was born in Tallinn in 1920 and lived much of his life under the Soviet occupation. He won countless awards for his writing, including The National Cultural Award, The Amnesty International Golden Flame and the Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger. He died in 2007.

"He was one of those who kept fresh the spirits of the people and made us ready to take the opportunity of restoring Estonia's independence." — Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

For more information, please click here: Jaan Kross - The Ropewalker

Estonia tops Freedom House rankings for post-communist democratic development I ERR News

Estonia ranked number one in democratic development among 29 post-communist nations in the annual democratic development report Nations in Transit released by US-based human rights organisation Freedom House.

To read the full ERR News article, please click here: Estonia ranks #1

Estonians are the third tallest people in the world

According to a new study conducted by the Imperial College London, Estonians are ranked the third tallest people in the world. The report entitled 'A Century of Trends in Adult Human Height' was published today in the eLife journal and tracks the height of men and women across the globe over a one hundred year period from 1914 - 2014. The report reveals that the average height of Estonian women has risen from 157 cm in 1914 to 169 cm in 2014. Estonian men are also taller, measuring 167 cm on average in 1914 compared to 180 cm today.   

Countries with the tallest men in 2014 are:

1. Netherlands                            
2. Belgium                                  
3. Estonia
4. Latvia
5. Denmark
6. Bosnia and Herzegovina
7. Croatia
8. Serbia
9. Iceland
10. Czech Republic

Countries with the tallest women:

1. Latvia
2. Netherlands
3. Estonia 
4. Czech Republic
5. Serbia
6. Slovakia
7. Denmark
8. Lithuania
9. Belarus
10. Ukraine

Measuring 173 cm myself it appears I am above the Estonian average!

For further reading on this topic, please click here: A century of trends in adult human height

Explore History: City Guide to Medieval Tallinn

Last month I was contacted by Explore History magazine to pen the article 'City Guide to Medieval Tallinn. In the eight page full colour feature I share my tips and recommendations of the best places to visit, stay and eat while in Tallinn.  I was absolutely thrilled  to see my work published yesterday!

 

For more information, please click here: Explore History Magazine

Liverpool has a new footballer on the team and he's Estonian!

Estonian footballer Ragnar Klavan has just signed a three year contract with Liverpool. The English Premier League is suddenly starting to look a lot more interesting!

To learn more about Ragnar Klavan, please click here: Who is new Liverpool signing Ragnar Klavan?

Check out the smart new uniform of the Estonian Olympic team!

Athletes representing Estonia at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games attended a reception with President Ilves at Kadriorg this morning. Dressed in navy blue and white, they looked smart and confident, ready to give their all for the games next month. Within the team, the oldest participant is 37 year old discus thrower Gerd Kanter and the youngest is 20 year old sailor Anna Maria Sepp.

Wishing them all the very best of success!

Estonia to send 46 athletes to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio

The Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK) today released its list of athletes selected to represent Estonia at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The full roster will include 46 athletes in 13 different events as well as a 44-person support staff. The Olympics start on the 5th August and finish on 21st August 2016.

Ksenija Balta will represent Estonia at the games.

 Wishing her the best of luck! My cousin Andrei Nazarov is her trainer!

Athletes representing Estonia are as follows:

Archery: Laura Nurmsalu

Athletics (track and field): Gerd Kanter, Ksenija Balta, Grit Šadeiko, Jaak-Heinrich Jagor, Karl Robert Saluri, Liina Luik, Lily Luik, Liina Laasma, Leila Luik, Magnus Kirt, Maicel Uibo, Martin Kupper, Rasmus Mägi, Risto Mätas, Roman Fosti, Tanel Laanmäe, Tiidrek Nurme

Badminton: Raul Must, Kati Tolmoff

Cycling: Rein Taaramäe, Tanel Kangert

Fencing: Irina Embrich, Erika Kirpu, Julia Beljajeva, Kristina Kuusk (reserve), Nikolai Novosjolov

Judo: Grigori Minaškin

Rowing: Allar Raja, Andrei Jämsä, Kaspar Taimsoo, Tõnu Endrekson, Sten-Erik Anderson (reserve)

Sailing: Anna Maria Sepp, Deniss Karpak, Ingrid Puusta, Karl-Martin Rammo, Kätlin Tammiste

Shooting: Peeter Olesk

Swimming: Maria Romanjuk, Martin Allikvee

Triathalon: Kaidi Kivioja

Weightlifting: Mart Seim

Wrestling: Ardo Arusaar, Epp Mäe, Heiki Nabi

FIA ERC - Auto24 Rally Estonia 2016 - SS6 Dance from the sky

Karl-Erik Taukar - Tähti Täis On Öö (Official Lyric Video)

Estonian Film “The Fencer” Will Be Screening Australia-Wide at Palace Cinemas From 9 July 2016

Shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2016 Academy Awards, this elegantly crafted, superbly acted drama tells the true-life story of Estonian fencing instructor Endel Nelis in post-war, Soviet-occupied Estonia. This moving drama was the winner of Finland’s major film prize, selected as the Opening Night Gala for the 2016 Palm Springs Film Festival, and received a nomination as Best Foreign Language Film at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards. It will pull at the heartstrings of any film-lover inspired by stories of compassion, determination and bravery against the odds.

'The Fencer' (Vehkleja in Estonian) will screen nationally in Australia from 9th July 2016 at Palace Cinemas. Please refer to their website for further information: Palace Cinemas -The Fencer

The 10 Oldest Languages Still Spoken In The World Today

There are around 6000 living languages in the world today. Among the world's oldest languages are the Finno-Ugric languages such as Finnish, Estonian, Hungarian and our other smaller relatives. To learn more, please click here: 10-oldest-languages

Ice-Cream King Evald Rooma Turns 105

The founder of Eskimo Ice-cream Evald Rooma celebrated his 105th birthday yesterday. Rooma was born in Tartu in 1911 and started his company in 1934. Postimees newspaper recently visited Rooma in his home where he gave a toast to his beautiful city of Tartu.

To watch the video, please click here:
Video: Visiit Eskimo-onu juurde ta 105. aasta eel

Historic Win for Estonia's Volleyball Team!

Estonia has won their first ever gold medal at the European League. Fantastic!

To read more, please click here: EL 2016 M: Historic trophy for Estonia!