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

Here's a good Estonian disco hit to bring in the New Year!

A look inside PiparkoogiMaania / Gingerbread Mania

During my recent trip to Tallinn I made a point of stopping by the PiparkoogiMaania exhibition. This year's theme is 'The Forest' and everything on display is related to the fauna and flora of Estonia's forests. Some of the items have really intricate features and it is amazing to see that it is all made from gingerbread. While there I was pleased to discover that piparkook classes are held regularly so you can have fun making your own creations or buy some from the gift shop. PiparkoogiMaania is definitely worth a visit!

I wonder what the theme will be for next year ...

New milestone! 250,000 pageviews!

Yesterday this blog reached a new milestone. 250,000 pageviews! Thank you so much for reading!

European Christmas Cakes - Estonians love their gingerbread!

The website 'Europe's Not Dead' recently compiled a list of Christmas cakes from around Europe. As you scroll through the list of countries you will see that the list is quite diverse. In Estonia, people absolutely love to eat gingerbread biscuits (piparkoogid) at Christmas time and if they don't have time to make them themselves, they can be bought almost everywhere!

Here's an excerpt from the article:

Estonia.

Christmas and New Year without Piparkoogid just doesn't feel right. Piparkoogid actually translates as pepper cakes, and they’re a must-have in Estonia. Mums and dads across the country are rolling and cutting and baking gingerbread cookies with their delighted offspring. Coffee shops replace the traditional chocolate-with-your-cuppa with piparkook-with-your-cuppa. Piparkoogid are actually made with lots of different spices, cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, orange peel, black pepper. The most important part of the preparation of the dough is burning the sugar. The burnt sugar gives the piparkoogid the brown colour. It is good to let the dough rest for at least 24 hours and it can stay in the fridge even for a month.

To read the full article, please click here: European Christmas Cakes

Christmas Day in Tallinn 2016

I spent a lovely Christmas Day in Tallinn this year. The sky was blue and the weather wasn't too chilly, a perfect day to be out and about.  After last night's Christmas celebrations, Estonians and visitors began to re-emerge in the streets again and were busy enjoying themselves in nearby restaurants and cafes. Yesterday when I visited Maiasmokk Cafe it was virtually empty but today it was hard to find a table. It's such a charming old cafe that it's no wonder why customers keep flowing through its doors. 

Tallinn's Christmas market was buzzing with activity today. At noon children were queuing to visit Santa (Jõuluvana) in his cottage, and on the nearby stage Estonian children dressed in national costumes were dancing to folk songs. It was such a delightful sight with a wonderful atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the day was the Christmas concert held in St. Nicholas Church.  Even though I was staying only metres from the location, I watched the live broadcast on ETV. I particularly liked the traditional songs that are usually sung in English but the lyrics were changed to Estonian. The concert was part of a fundraising event and by 10pm I was delighted to see that the amount raised had climbed to 189,000 €.

Part of the concert can be watched here: Jõulutunnel. Kontsert - ülekanne Nigulistest

Häid Jõule! Merry Christmas from Estonia!

It's Christmas Eve in Tallinn and although it's not snowing this year, the atmosphere in the Old Town is still amazing with all its sparkling lights and festivities. I really do love the Christmas markets in Tallinn as they offer everything you need - food, drinks, gifts, games, rides and music. The reindeer pen and Santa's house are nice features of the market as well as the stage for live performances.  Few countries in the world have such a complete Christmas market which is no wonder why Tallinn's is often voted as one of the best!  

The Viru Gate always looks stunning at Christmas time. 

The Tallinn Christmas Market.

The world's first Christmas tree was erected here by German merchants in 1441.

Christmas stage

Many delights can be found here!

Beautiful!

Each year that I visit the Tallinn Christmas market, I notice all the subtle differences and I must admit, I think the market keeps getting better and better!

Birgit Õigemeel - Laps peab sündima

ESTONIAN VOICES - Popurrii "Saanike"

With Christmas almost upon us, here's a medley to ease you into the festive spirit.

Gingerbread Mania - Forest

Every December Estonian artists come together to create delightful gingerbread masterpieces for the "Gingerbread Mania" exhibition. This year's theme is "The Forest" as forests are close to every Estonian's heart! Gingerbread Mania is a 'must see' if you're in Tallinn during the Christmas season.

Gingerbread Mania is located at the Gallery of Design & Architecture, Pärnu Mnt 6, Tallinn and runs from 9th December 2016 until 4th January 2017. Tickets cost 2€ for adults and 1€ for children.

For more information, please click here: Piparkoogimaania / Gingerbread mania

The Christmas card of Estonia's new President - 'Maa, mis kõlab kokku'

President Kersti Kaljulaid released her official Christmas card today entitled 'Maa, mis kõlab kokku' (we are stronger together).

To watch, please click on the link below.
President Kersti Kaljulaidi jõulukaart kannab pealkirja “Maa, mis kõlab kokku”.

Inspiring Estonian homes for 2016

I love Estonian design, houses in particular.  Here's a Delfi write-up about the best Estonian houses for 2016. The article is written in Estonian so to view the gallery, you need to click on 'SIIT' under each photo.

Top Estonian homes for 2016: AASTA TOP: Inspireerivad Eesti kodud 2016 — vali oma lemmik!

Latvia claims original Christmas tree but all Estonians know we did it first in 1441!

Every proper Estonian knows that the world's first Christmas tree was erected in Tallinn, but that the nation's Grinch-of-a-neighbour, Latvia, is trying to steal the claim to fame.

Whether it is blaming each other for exceeding fishing quotas or laying claims for a bear that caught international media attention when it forged the Baltic sea and scared island inhabitants - it is always the important things that Estonians and Latvians contest over. Now, the seasonal dispute considers archives that historians say were devoured by mice centuries ago. 

"Riga, Latvia – home of the first Christmas tree, anno 1510,“ the southern neighbour advertises on its billboards.

Yet a merchants' guild in Tallinn erected Estonia's first tree in 1441 - 69 years before Riga, by expert calculations. "I believe we can confidently use that date as the world's first Christmas tree," said historian Jüri Kuuskemaa on ETV.

It is known that after merchants and single women had danced around the first Christmas tree (in Tallinn, naturally), it was set on fire and all evidence was disposed of. According to records, the Riga Christmas tree wasn't even a real tree, just a wooden pyramid decorated with flowers, fruits and toys. 

Latvia recently gave Estonia a Christmas present. Tallinn's mayor kindly returned the favour. "He congratulated us on the 500th anniversary of the Riga Christmas tree and reminded us that Tallinn is celebrating the 569th anniversary," Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs told AFP. "It's good that the sole topic of disagreement between Riga and Tallinn is who has the oldest Christmas tree."

Now the ingenious Latvians point to the fact that Estonia and Latvia both made up a united Livonia during the time of the first Christmas trees. 

Decorating Christmas trees was for a long time considered a pagan tradition that did not reach the West until hundreds of years later. "Thus, we and the Latvians [...] can be proud to have introduced the Western Christianity with a fun tradition that is now celebrated everywhere. But the story began here in Old Livonia," said Kuuskemaa.

Source ERR News: Latvia Claims Original Christmas Tree

Best jokes about Estonians

This video is hilarious and gets even funnier as it goes along. Enjoy!

The Guardian: 10 of the best winter city breaks in Europe picked by readers

Great to see Tallinn on the list! It comes as no surprise however, Tallinn is absolutely stunning during the winter months. In a few short weeks I'll be there myself, enjoying the winter splendour! Can't wait!

To read the full Guardian list of the best places to visit this Christmas, please click here:
10 of the best winter city breaks in Europe: readers’ travel tips

2017 Grammy nominees include multiple Estonians I ERR News

Estonian conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

The nominees for the 59. Grammy Awards were published on Tuesday, and upon closer inspection the list included both better- and lesser-known Estonian names and involved an Estonian music label, a number of Estonian musical ensembles and works by an Estonian composer as well.

Nominated in both the Album of the Year and Best Country Album categories is "A Sailor's Guide to Earth" by Sturgill Simpson, whose guitarist is Estonian Laur Joamets.

Nominated in the Best Contemporary Classical Composition category is Christopher Theofanidis' "Bassoon Concerto," performed by Martin Kuuskmann, Barry Jekowsky and the Northwest Sinfonia, from the album "Bassoon Concertos - Theofanidis, Hummel, Mozart," released by Estonian Record Productions.

Nominated in the Best Classical Compendium category is conductor Tõnu Kaljuste's "Gesualdo," performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and including two works by Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür.

Nominated in the Best Orchestral Performance is "Ibert: Orchestral Works," performed by the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande under the conduction of Neeme Järvi.

A full list of the categories and their 2017 nominees can be found here. The 59. Grammy Awards will take place on Feb. 12, 2017.

Source: ERR News 2017 Grammy nominees include multiple Estonians

Estonia ranked 3rd in the world in the latest OECD PISA education survey

Estonian education is among the best in the world, up to 3rd place globally and ranked No.1 in Europe. The OECD’s PISA 2015 tested around 540,000 15-year-old students in 72 countries and economies on science, reading, maths and collaborative problem-solving. The main focus was on science, an increasingly important part of today’s economy and society.

The top OECD countries are Singapore, Japan, Estonia, Finland and Canada.

This is an excellent result for Estonia!  To find out more, please click here.

It's always great to hear from readers!

Last week I received a lovely email from Joanne Mullen who wrote to say how much she enjoyed reading my blog.  I always really appreciate it when readers take the time to get in touch and give me feedback. It always makes my day!

Thank you so much Joanne for you kind words!

Joanne: -
'I love your wonderful blog!

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful work you put into your blog on Estonia.  It's consistently well written, interesting and your passion for the country shines through in every word.  You probably don't get enough thanks for it, so I just wanted to say a personal thank you!'

Rakvere produces another outstanding Christmas tree

In recent years the city of Rakvere has become famous for its annual Christmas tree. This year creative minds joined forces once more to produce another finely crafted Christmas tree resembling the Eiffel Tower. The tree made form spruce features many gears and cogs enabling it to move and change colour. 

Delfi News has released a video and photo gallery for you to learn more: Rakvere Christmas Tree

A pleasant weekend in Tallinn

I last visited Estonia in early September. I was there during the Tallinn Marathon weekend and managed to catch up with a few relatives, do a bit of shopping as well as watch some of the events. It was nice being in Tallinn whilst the marathon was on as the city was teeming with activity. As I walked through the streets I kept hearing announcements spoken in Estonian on the loud speaker, (not something I hear everyday) and it just made me feel good. It was a really nice weekend away.

Tallinn Marathon . Freedom Square.

Whenever I visit Tallinn I like to do something new. Over the years I have explored many wonderful places but there is still so much to see. For example, I have walked past the Town Hall building dozens of times but have never gone inside.  This time I did and it was well worth the visit.

Inside Tallinn's Town Hall

Tallinn's Town Hall building contains many finely crafted items such as tapestries, paintings 

and ornate wooden furniture. Really stunning.

Old meeting room.

Old visitors books. Tzar Nicholas II is mentioned.

St. Nicholas church is another place I  had yet to explore properly I have photographed the exterior of the building so many times yet never went inside. I can now tick that off my 'to do' list.

Now officially a museum, St. Nicholas church contains some of Estonia's 

most precious works of art. 

St.Nicholas church museum

No trip to Tallinn is complete without a visit to Fat Margaret Tower and it's another one of those places I have walked past and photographed countless times yet never went inside. I made a point of doing so during this trip.

Fat Margaret Tower is now part of the Estonian Maritime Museum.

For a small fee visitors can explore the multi level museum then walk up to 

the roof level and gain a great view of the city and port.

Estonian Maritime Museum

I have visited the Danish King's Garden several times over the years but it was only recently that I became aware of its history. According to legend, this is the spot where the Danish flag fell from the sky during Danish invasion in 1219. This event turned the course of the battle in favour of King Valdemar II.

The Danish King's Garden is famous for its monk sculptures.

Interesting fact: every year on 15 July, Dannebrog or the Day of the Danish Flag 

is celebrated in the garden.

Primary school education in Estonia ranked eighth best in the world

According to the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report, Estonia’s primary education system ranks eighth in the world.

The Global Competitiveness Report looks at data on different areas in almost every country on earth and then compiles the data into a picture of the economy for those countries. Then, they are ranked according to the 12 pillars of competitiveness, which include health and primary education, the macro-economic environment, the efficiency of the labour market, infrastructure, and so on.

To read the full Estonian World article, please click here: 

Estonia’s primary education system ranks eighth in the world

Jüri Ratas Confirmed as the New Prime Minister of Estonia

The Riigikogu confirmed Center Party chairman Jüri Ratas as Estonia’s new prime minister on Monday. Ratas was confirmed with 53 votes in favor. Of the members of parliament present, 33 voted against the new government. There were seven abstentions.

To read the full ERR News article, please click here: Jüri Ratas confirmed prime minister

President Kaljulaid tasks Jüri Ratas with forming new government

Looks like Jüri Ratas is set to be the next Prime Minister of Estonia.

President Kersti Kaljulaid met with Centre Party chairman Jüri Ratas in Kadriorg today. Kaljulaid said that she was convinced Ratas would be able to form the country’s next government.

To read the full ERR news article, please click here: President Kaljulaid tasks Jüri Ratas with forming new government

Christmas Markets Report 2016: Tallinn among the 11 most affordable cities in Europe for a festive weekend break

Christmas Markets Barometer

If you are planning a break in Europe to visit a Christmas Market, the best advice is to head to the Baltic where prices are cheapest.  As the countdown to Christmas gets underway Post Office Travel Money’s annual Christmas Markets Barometer reveals that prices for tourist items are still great value, despite the weaker pound, and designer goods may be cheaper than in the UK.

Key findings include:

Tallinn – capital of Baltic State Estonia - is this year’s bargain choice for a Christmas Markets break out of 11 European cities surveyed, thanks to a combination of cheap packages and reasonable prices for food and drink in the city

It is a clean sweep for Eastern European cities with Riga, another Baltic capital, in the runner-up spot and Prague third cheapest.

Budapest is lowest-priced when it comes to meals, snacks and drinks costs, but pricier packages push the Hungarian capital down to sixth place. Munich and Lille in Western Europe have move ahead of Budapest.

Savvy shoppers could shave a third off the cost of an Apple iPad Air 2 by buying it in Munich or Vienna instead of the UK, and picking up a 100 ml bottle of Marc Jacobs ‘Daisy’ Eau de Toilette in Budapest reaps a saving of over 45% (£35).

To read the full report, please click here: Christmas Markets Report 2016