Who was Emilie Rosalie Beermann?

Born in Pilistvere on the 16th of December 1860, Emilie Rosalie Beermann was the eldest of eight children in the family of Gustav Heinrich Beermann and Caroline Beermann. Her father was a school principal in Põltsamaa and gave her the name Emilie in honour of her godmother. Like her father, Emilie was an ardent nationalist and after graduating from Põltsamaa parish school, she became a crafts teacher for girls at the same school.

In 1881, the Estonian Students’ Society “Vironia” was founded at the University of Tartu. It was here where the colour combination of blue-black-white first emerged, selected as the fraternity's flag which later went on to become the national flag of Estonia. Emilie Beerman bought the blue, black and white fabric from the Leihberg cloth store in Põltsamaa and is credited as being the maker of the first blue-black-white flag in 1884. According to varying sources, Emilie did not sew the flag alone, Miina Hermann and Paula Hermann also took part in sewing the flag. Emilie's father made a pole for the flag in his workshop and her brother Christoph transported the flag to the Estonian Students’ Society (EÜS) in Tartu.

That original flag still exists today and can be viewed at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.

The blue, black and white (sinimustvalge) flag was adopted as the national flag of Estonia in 1918 and it is deeply cherished by all Estonians!

Paris 2024 Olympics: It all begins today!

Good luck to the Estonian athletes who are set to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. May they bring home many medals and make Estonia proud!

 

 

One hundred years ago, Paris also hosted the Olympic Games. Here is a photograph of Team Estonia in 1924. As you can see, it was very much a male dominated event back then. A lot has changed over the years. Thank goodness!

Fun fact: Estonia at the Olympics

The first time basketball was ever played at the Olympic Games was on the 7th August 1936 in Berlin. The opening match was played between Estonia and France and Estonia won 34 - 29. Basketball is the national sport of Estonia.

Evald Okas Museum reopens in Haapsalu

The museum dedicated to the works of Estonian artist Evald Okas has reopened in Haapsalu after a two-year renovation. The 19th century museum building underwent major structural refurbishment to modernise the gallery with new technical communication equipment and heating system.

Evald Okas (28 November 1915 – 30 April 2011) was best known for his portraits of nudes and working in the medium of charcoals. In 1947, Okas, along with Elmar Kits and Richard Sagrits painted the ceiling of the Estonian National Opera. Okas later became a professor at the Estonian State Art Institute.

More information about the Evald Okas Museum can be found here.

Enjoy the next full moon in Tallinn

The next full moon can be seen tomorrow on July 21. The moon will still appear full the night before and after its peak for the casual stargazer to enjoy. During this time it would be a great opportunity to take a few photographs of the moon set against Tallinn's stunning skyline. Let's hope the night sky will be clear!

Old photographs of Tallinn

I love viewing old photographs of Tallinn. In them I catch a glimpse of a bygone era that was once familar to my grandparents and their parents. One of the great things about Tallinn is that many of these lovely old buildings still exist today and I can experience visiting them for myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tallinn's Old Town Square

Located in the heart of Tallinn's Old Town, the Town Hall Square has long been a central hub of activity. First mentioned in 1313, the town square is lined with beautiful old medieval buildings and is where some of the oldest streets in the city start. Tallinn's Town Square is one of the most lively and social places in the city and has witnessed much over the centuries. Various markets, festivals, carnivals, wedding ceremonies, film shoots, as well as executions have all taken place on this site.

In the past, Tallinn's market square has been known by many different names. In 1371 it was known by the Latin name 'Forum' then 'Old Market' (Vana Turg)  in 1442 and later 'New Market' (Neu Markt). At the end of the 18th century, the town square was called the 'German market' (Deutscher Markt) then the 'Swedish Market' (Schwedischer Markt). In 1923, after independence,  the square was officially named Raekoja Plats.  

 

Raekoja Plats in 1926

Kaja Kallas formally resigns as Prime Minister

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas submitted her resignation to President Alar Karis at Kadriorg this morning. Minister of Climate Kristen Michal is set to replace Kallas as PM later this summer. Kaja Kallas is stepping down as Prime Minister to take up her new role as the European Union's High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Estonia bids farewell to a remarkable prime minister who elevated Estonia's global presence. The European Union will gain an outstanding leader as foreign policy chief.

Photo flashback: fashionable ladies of Tallinn

The 1930s was a stylish era in women's fashion. The Great Depression may have brought an abrupt end to the extravagance of the 1920s but the 1930s saw new innovations in design and textiles that focused on practicality and durability whilst maintaining sophistication. The Golden Age of Hollywood heavily influenced fashion during the 1930s. Glamorous movie stars such as Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich set new fashion trends which caught on all over the world. Estonia was no exception and the women kept up to date with the latest fashions. This photograph shows that the ladies of Tallinn from this era were pretty chic.

A nice song about the Estonian summer

Ingmar Kiviloo is an Estonian musician currently studying in Boston. He recently returned home for the summer and wrote this song to remind us how beautiful Estonia is in the summertime.

Estonia Releases New Olympic Games Stamp

The 2024 Summer Olympics (officially: the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad) will take place in Paris from the 26th of July to the 11th of August 2024. This will be the third time the French capital is hosting the Summer Olympic Games. Estonia is sending some of its finest athletes to compete in the games and to mark the event, Eesti Post has released a new commemorative stamp. The 2,60€ international stamp features a silhouette design of athletes with the iconic Eiffel Tower in the centre.

 

Fun facts:

Estonia will be participating in the Summer Olympics as an independent country for the 15th time. 

The first Estonian to win an Olympic medal was wrestler Martin Klein in Stockholm in 1912.  

In total, Estonian athletes have won 81 medals at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games (27 gold, 23 silver, 31 bronze).

25 Estonian athletes set to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

The Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK) has announced the full list of names of who will be representing Estonia at the summer Olympic Games in Paris. The Estonian team includes 25 athletes, 49 support staff and one horse, who hope to bring home medals from a total of 14 different sports.  The size of the team representing Estonia may appear small but the cross-section of sports is strong. The EOK believe Estonia is sending a strong team to Paris.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games will commence on July 26 and conclude on August 11.

Team Estonia will include:

Archery: Reena Pärnat (Coach Siret Luik).

Athletics: Rasmus Mägi, Janek Õiglane, Johannes Erm, Karel Tilga, Elisabeth Pihela (Coaches Taivo Mägi, Ryan Baily, Holger Peel, Jeffery Huntoon, Grit Šadeiko, physiotherapists Risto Jamnes, Priit Mein, team leader Kristel Berendsen).

Badminton: Kristin Kuuba (Coach Joshua Eipe).

Cycling: Madis Mihkels and Janika Lõiv (Coaches Alo Jakin, Urmas Lõiv, Jesus Castellanos Torres, Karmen Reinpõld, physiotherapist Laura Lepasalu).

Equestrian: My Kaisla Catharina Relander, horse Expert (Trainer Peter Geerink, groom Isa Trip, vet Jos Hofma).

Fencing: Nelli Differt (Coach Helen Nelis-Naukas, physiotherapist Vitali Kuznetsov, weapons expert Kaido Kaaberma).

Judo: Klen Kristofer Kaljulaid (Coach Vladimir Stepanjan, training partner Markus Johannes Luha).

Rowing: Tõnu Endrekson, Allar Raja, Johann Poolak, Mikhail Kushteyn, Uku Siim Timmusk (reserve) (Coach Veikko Sinisalo, physiotherapist Helena Saar, team leader Robert Väli).

Sailing: Ingrid Puusta, Karl-Martin Rammo (Coaches Rein Ottoson, Matthew Rickard, physiotherapist Liisbet Puust, team leader Lauri Väinsalu).

Shooting: Peeter Olesk, Peeter Jürisson (coaches Matthias Hahn, Peeter Päkk, gun experts Fred Raukas, Reino Velleste, team leader Meelis Loit).

Swimming: Eneli Jefimova, Kregor Zirk (Coaches Henry Hein, Tom Rushton, Toni Meijel).

Weightlifting: Mart Seim (Coaches Alar Seim, Leho Pent).

Wrestling: Heiki Nabi (Caches Ivar Kotkas, Levi Earl)

Delegation heads: Martti Raju, Merle Kaljurand, Merili Luuk.

Medical personnel: Mihkel Mardna, Kaileen Raudsepp, Kristi Singi, Snežana Stoljarova.

There will be three different Olympic villages in Paris (Paris, Chateauroux, Marseille), with shooting and sailing completely on their own. Good luck to all!

Tallinn's Medieval Days 5 -7 July 2024

If you are in Tallinn this weekend make sure you don't miss the 25th Medieval Days festival. Starting on Friday, Tallinn's Town Hall Square and the surrounding area of Niguliste Church will be transformed into a thriving medieval city for four days. On Niguliste Hill, there will be a medieval village where visitors can try out various medieval workshops including lessons in archery or sword fighting. Skill and strength competitions will also be held. Musicians and dancers will perform throughout the Old Town and blacksmiths, carpenters, construction craftsmen will demonstrate their skills. 

Tallinn's Medieval Days will be a fun weekend for all to enjoy. The opening procession will start at the Viru Gate on Friday at 5pm.

More information about the 2024 Medieval Days can be found here.

Step back in time at Raikküla Manor

Raikküla manor has created a new permanent exhibition that provides a detailed history of manor house furniture. The exhibition includes three Raikküla manor buildings and contains hundreds of original items from Estonian manor houses. The exhibition tells exciting stories about the manor and the history of furniture. Visitors can learn about the relationships between manor house people, about the change of interiors over time and discover why there were so many large mirrors in manor houses.

Raikküla Manor is one of the most beautiful examples of classicist architecture in Estonia. The first written record of Raikküla manor dates back to the year 1469 and was formerly owned by the von Staals, the Kankrins and the von Keyserling families. After a fire in 1960 the house lay in ruins for a long period before it was restored.

 

 

Raikküla is located in Rapla Parish, Rapla County in northwestern Estonia.

 

More information about Raikküla Manor can be found here.