Celebrating the Estonian Year of the Book

This year we celebrate the Year of the Estonian Book to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the first known mention of a book written in the Estonian language. Estonian writers have produced many great literary works over the years with Tammsaare's Truth & Justice at the top of the list as a 'must read'. Literary translations make it possible for Estonian stories to reach a wider audience. The most common languages Estonian books are translated into are German, Finnish, English and French. 

I'm proud of my little collection of Estonian books. I'm particularly fond of reading books set during the Hanseatic period. For years I have been eagerly awaiting another Apothecary Melchior novel to be translated into English.  So far there have only been two (out of eight) a third book in the series has been translated, but into French rather than English.

Here is a list of some of the most highly regarded Estonian books that everyone should read.

Truth and Justice (Tõde ja õigus) by A.H. Tammsaare
Son of Kalev (Kalevipoeg) by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald
Names in Marble (Nimed marmortahvlil) by Albert Kivikas
Between Three Plagues by Jaan Kross
The Milkman of the Manor (Mäeküla piimamees) by Eduard Vilde
The Tzar's Madman (Keisri hull) by Jaan Kross
The Man Who Spoke Snakish by Andrus Kivirähk
Apothecary Melchior and the Mystery of St Olaf's Church by Indrek Hargla 

Photo of the day: The lone wolf in Paikuse

Estonia's wolf population is estimated to be around 260 - 360 wolves living in 20-25 packs. This photo was taken today by Kristhel Vaht in Paikuse. The grey wolf was declared the national animal of Estonia in 2018.

Photo flashback: Ladies with their parasols on the Haapsalu promenade

My trip to the Estonian Song Festival

There are some things people should do at least once in their lifetime and attending the Estonian Song Festival is definitely one of them. It's a truly wonderful event that warms the heart and stills the mind, a powerful demonstration of national unity. I was so thrilled to finally be a part of it, it's an event I have wanted to go to for a very long time.

Every time I visit Estonia I make a point of experiencing something new. This time I did something I have never done before. I drove to Estonia! All across central Europe and up through the Baltics. I have Estonian friends who often do this and I always thought they were crazy. It's too far I tell them, just fly. It's quicker. But they don't seem to mind the drive.

This year I decided to drive for a numner of reasons. My brother lives in Poland and I wanted to stop by Warsaw on the way, as well as Riga and I also wanted to visit the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. I knew I would never visit that site unless I travelled by road. This Hill of Crosses is an interesting place, it's a pilgrim site dating back to the 1830s and contains thousands of crosses, crucifixes, and other religious items.

 

The Hill of Crosses. 

Located 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai in Lithuania. 

The epic road trip to Estonia took two days to complete. The motorways in Germany and Poland were very good, but not long after passing through Vilnius, I found myself driving on single lane roads most of the time. It was slow from then on, especially when I got stuck behind a truck or a bus (there were so many trucks on the road!).

I arrived in Tallinn on the Friday, and the weather was still good then. Blue sky with a slight breeze, it was ten degrees cooler than the day before. I expected to hear a lot of different accents in the streets as I wandered around, and I did. Estonians from all around the world were in town, it was a very special time to be back in the homeland. As I stood by the traffic lights, on my way to Freedom Square, I remember looking down and seeing a Bolt delivery robot also waiting at the lights. I had to smile. This is modern Estonia. The country I love so much.

It gave me great joy to see the national costume everywhere I went that weekend. People walked around in small groups, either coming or going from an event. It was a beautiful sight. I marvelled at how pristine these clothed looked, they were so well maintained, the blouses so white. They were worn with such pride.

On Saturday it began to rain and my heart sank. It was terrible weather for a procession. Regardless, I went to watch as I was eager to see all the different groups and the regions they were from. Despite the rain, bands played merrily, people cheered and flags waved.

 

Rongkäik.

The song festival procession started at 11am from Freedom Square. 

 

There were two events that took place at the Song Festival Grounds (Lauluväljak). The opening concert on Saturday showcased songs sung in the different Estonian dialects and Sunday was the main concert. I watched the Saturday concert on T.V. and was at the Song Festival Grounds on Sunday just after 2pm. Unfortunately it rained a lot while I was there. The ground became increasingly muddy as time passed, and  it wasn't pleasant walking around to look at the stalls or to buy food. 

 

One thing I realised about attending the song festival, is that not everyone arrives at 2pm when the event starts. Some people arrive early to secure a  good place to sit, whilst others trickle in during the day. I noticed a lot of people arrived after 4pm. Reviewing the day, the concert starts with band performances, followed by children singing. The really good partriotic songs are sung much later in the day.

 

 

The main concert started at 2pm and ended around 9:30pm. 

 

The rain did put a damper on the event during the first few hours. 

Later on the weather did improve. 

 

It was great to be back in Estonia for the song festival. It was wonderful to see so many Estonians come together, cherishing our language, history and culture. It was truly marvellous.

 

Like all my holidays to Estonia, no trip is complete without a suitcase full of goodie to take home with me. Vana Tallinn and Kalev chocolates are the essentials along with black bread. Lots of black bread and usually the darker the better!

70 years of Estonian television

Today marks seventy years since television was first introduced in Estonia. On the 19th of July 1955,  at 7:30pm Eesti Televisioon launched its first programme. The official TV show was broadcast from a Tallinn television station set up in Tallinn Radio House. At first the show was on Saturdays and Sundays then later airtime was extended to other days of the week. Today, the Estonian free-to-air television channel still operates and is commonly known as ETV.

Estonia is one of the coldest places on earth

Estonia is a beautiful country to visit all year round but if you dislike cold weather, it's best to avoid a trip during February. It's Estonia's coldest month. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Estonia is -43.5°C (-46°F). This record was set in Jõgeva on January 17, 1940.

Enterprising Estonian students create new edible birthday candles

Three students from Põlva High School have placed fourth at the Gen-E 2025 Festival held earlier this month in Greece. Isabella Puusepp, Agathe Ojasaar and Eliisa Villako impressed both the jury and audience at the European Junior Achievement Competition with their innovative edible candle design.

First inspired by traditional candles melting all over the birthday cake of one of the founders' twin siblings, the edible candles are made of chocolate and already on sale at a few locations in and around Põlva and Võru. The girls now plan to formally register their business 'Blouit' and expand sales across the country. You can read more about Blouit and the Gen-E 2025 Festival here

 

Edible birthday candles by Blouit

 

Isabella Puusepp, Agathe Ojasaar and Eliisa Villako 

Ta lendab mesipuu poole - XXVIII Laulupidu "Iseoma" (2025)

Several songs were performed twice during the Estonia Song Festival. Juhan Liiv's 'Ta lendab mesipuu poole (he flies to the beehive) was one of them. So many Estonians came back to the homeland to take part in the XXVIII laulupidu. Many people experienced the song festival for the first time, including 80 year old Esta from the United States. Her parents were Estonians who fled the country during WWII and it was her dream to always visit Estonia. This finally eventuated when her son bought her a ticket to Estonia for her birthday. It was Esta's first time visiting her ancestral homeland. The Estonian Song Festival is a beautiful display of Estonian unity and it was wonderful to see so many Estonians come together to celebrate.

    

 

 

'Mu Isamaa on Minu Arm' - The most emotionally stirring song at the Estonian Song Festival

 

 

XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Festival "Iseoma"

Tens of thousands of Estonians from across the world gathered in Tallinn last weekend to take part in the Estonian Song and Dance Festival. Despite the rain, nothing could dampen the Estonian spirit, it shone bright for all to see. The Estonian Song and Dance Festival is undoubtedly one of the most magical cultural events in the world. Estonian unity at its best!

 

 

 

 

Estonians beam with national pride this weekend

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Estonian Song and Dance Festival is to see expats return to the homeland to take part in the celebrations. Some of these people are second and third generation Estonians and the festival is just as important to them as their forebears.

Tantsupidu"ISEOMA" 2025

Tallinn is the place to be this weekend!

The Estonian Song and Dance Festival started yesterday and what an amazing weekend it is going to be.  It's truly wonderful see the Estonian national costume (rahvariided) worn with such pride. The beautiful colours and patterns reveal the different regions where Estonians come from. 

This weekend will be a time of great celebration, unity and national pride for Estonians. People from all around the world have made their way back to the homeland to take part in the festival. It will be a weekend we will never forget!

Photo flashback: 1938 Song Festival Procession

The 11th Estonian Song Festival was held in 1938. It was the last song festival before World War II and the Soviet occupation. This festival was notable as it was the first time Gustav Ernesaks conducted the choirs and his music was performed. 

 

 

The 11th Estonian Song Festival also saw a large increase in participants. 

Nearly 100,000 people were in attendance. 

 

What image best represents Talliinn?

I was in England last week and as I was reading the London Times I was pleased to find Tallinn featured in the travel section. As much as I love to see Estonia advertised as a travel destination, I am often disappointed when the Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral is used to represent the city. This landmark is neither Estonian nor that old. The building was completed in 1900 and was scheduled to be demolished in 1929 after Estonia became independent. That plan was cancelled but there are discussions about its demolition or relocation again today.

So this poses the question, what image would be best used to represent Tallinn in travel articles? 

Tallinn is a beautiful old medieval city that dates back to the 13th century. It's a former Hanseatic Port, and it was a significant one at that, with stunning gothic architecture that still exists today. Tallinn is a city rich in history and many of its buildings and structures have been carefully preserved for future generations to enjoy. 

When I think of Tallinn, I think of medieval towers with their red tiled roofs, the Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats) and the beautiful old buildings of the Old Town. If there were an image that encapsulates it all, it would have to be a cityscape view, where the towers and old buildings, church spires and view of the sea can all be seen. (I have yet to find the perfect photo).

Photo flashback: Estonian Song Festival in 1910

On this day in 1910. the VII Estonian Song Festival began in Tallinn. The event took place over three days from 25th –27th June 1910. For the first time, a party was held without a dedication to an imperial anniversary. The party procession started from the seashore near Russalka, then moved on to Kadriorg. From there governor Korostovetsi gave a greeting to the tsar and the imperial anthem was sung. The procession then continued to the party square at the end of today's Laulupeo street. 10,100 singers took part in the Song Festival that year.

 

 

Ceremonial flame of the Estonian Song and Dance Festival on relay around the country

The ceremonial flame for the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Festival "Iseoma" (Kinship) was lit in the park by the Estonian National Museum in Tartu on June 15 and is now on its way across the country. The torch, with its legendary flame, brings the spirit of the festival closer to everyone it passes during its journey to Tallinn. The torch will reach Tallinn on July 2 and the festival will take place from July 3-6.  It's a celebration not to be missed!

Head Jaanipäeva!

I hope everyone had a great time celebrating Jaanipäev last night. It's truly wonderful when old Estonian traditions are kept alive in the modern world. Soon we will all be celebrating again during the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration. Nothing compares to this unique festival when Estonians from all around the world return to the homeland to take part. Our hearts will be full of national pride. Not long to go now!

The Best Places to Visit In Estonia

Summer is finally here and there is no better place to visit than Estonia. Rich in history and culture with stunning nature, Estonia has an abundance of attractions. The only question is where to start. Here are some of the best places to visit in Estonia.

Estonian pride to soar this summer

The Estonian Song Festival is just a few weeks away — that rare and powerful event, held every five years, when typically reserved Estonians are transformed into a vibrant collective of emotion. There is no greater outward expression of Estonians' love for their homeland than this festival. It is a time of great celebration, unity, and a deep sense of belonging.

Estonians have much to be proud of, not only their ability to sing together in stunning harmony or the fact that they possess one of the world’s largest collections of folk songs. At the heart of it all is a profound connection to nature, to heritage, and to the Estonian language. The Estonian mindset is unique and different to other countries, shaped by centuries of wars, occupations, and plagues. Estonians are a self-reliant and resourceful people, known for making the most of what they have and keeping to themselves. 

In early July, Estonians from across the globe will return to the homeland, raising their voices in song to celebrate the richness of their language, culture, and traditions.

Elagu Eesti! Long live Estonia!

Voldemar Lender: The first ethnic Estonian to become mayor of Tallinn

115 years ago today, on 9th June 1906, Voldemar Lender became the first Estonian mayor of Tallinn. Previously, the mayors of Tallinn had either been Baltic Germans or Russians. Voldemar Lender was an engineer by profession who served as mayor for seven years until 1913 when Jaan Poska succeeded him. 

Voldemar Lender was known as the 'mayor who built a city'. His construction company built many one-and two-story wooden houses with symmetrical facades in Tallinn. These buildings were known as 'Lender houses' and were popular from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, many of them still standing today.

Lender's wife, Elfriede Lender (née Meikov), was a teacher who founded the first Estonian-speaking girls' school in Estonia. They had four children who also went on to lead successful careers.

Photo Flashback: Tapa Railway Station 1925

Tapa train station opened in 1870 and is an important junction station connecting the Tallinn–Narva (west–east) and Tallinn–Tartu–Valga (north–south) railway lines. During the period of rapid industralisation in Estonia a small town soon emerged next to the existing village in Tapa. Tapa has been known as both a railway and a military town throughout its history.

2025 is the Estonian year of the book

The oldest book in the Estonian National Archives Library belongs to the collection of books of the Estonian knighthood. The volumes of the Old Livonian Knighthood consists of two books and relates to law and procedures. They were printed in 1537 and 1539 respectively in the printing house of Michael Lotter in Magdeburg, Germany.

 

Today we celebrate the 141th birthday of our beloved national flag

On 4 June 1884, the blue, black, and white flag was consecrated in Otepää as the symbol of the Estonian Students’ Association. The flag was designed in Tartu and later became the official national flag of Estonia in 1918. The tri-colour "sinimustvalge" (blue-black-white) flag is very symbolic in nature. Blue represents the sky, black represents the soil of our homeland and white symbolises purity and hope.

The original EÜS fraternity flag was handmade and still exists today. It is now on permanent display at the Estonian National Museum (ERM). Estonia is one of the few countries in the world that still possesses its original physical national flag. Head Eesti lipu päeva!

First Estonian Festival held in Australia in 1954

Estonia's life expectancy has risen to 79.5 years

New data from Statistics Estonia has revealed that Estonia's average life expectancy has risen to 79.5 years. Officially, according to gender, that is 83.4 for women and 71.5 for men. Estonian men on average live disability-free for 56.8 years and women for 60.6 years. Women in Estonia typically live 8.3 years longer than men.

The data also reveals that educated people tend to live longer in Estonia. Higher education influences Estonians standard of living, which, then, has a significant impact on health and life expectancy. More information can be found here.

New exhibition showcases life in Tallinn during the 1920s

The People's Museum of Tallinn has opened a new exhibition called "Stories of a Young Capital: The Passionate Twenties," that explores the stories behind the formation of a young Estonian Republic, its people and its capital city. 

In the 1920s, peace returned to Estonia following two wars, the collapse of the Russian Empire and the gaining of independence. Estonia experienced the start of a new era; it was a time of great change, innovation and Tallinn at that time was a city of sharp contrasts and high hopes.

Everyday life in the Estonian capital in the 1920s is brought to life in the exhibition through the stories of a dozen different characters, all of whom meet in the heart of the young capital.

Curated by Maaja Gundjajeva and Denis Jatsenko, "Stories of a Young Capital: The Passionate Twenties" will remain open at the People's Museum of Tallinn through to the end of 2026.

Third Estonian woman conquers Mt. Everest

On 19 May 2025, Triin Seli from Tartu became the third Estonian woman to conquer the peak of the world's highest mountain. This is a fantastic achievement, one that requires true courage, determination and endurance.  In total, nine Estonians have reached the summit, including Triin Seli's father Andras Kaasik, who climbed Mt. Everest in 2011. Congratulations!

Tommy Cash has the most streamed Eurovision song on Spotify

 The true Eurovision winner! Estonia is so proud!

Photo flashback: Tartu's Old Stone Bridge

The Stone Bridge that once stood over the Emajõgi river in Tartu was a significant part of Tartu's architectural landscape and stood for 157 years. The bridge was designed by J Carl Siegfrieden and built under the leadership of construction engineer Johann Zaklowsky. Building work took place between 1779–1784 and the bridge was officially opened to traffic on 16 September 1784.

Sadly, the Stone Bridge did not survive World War Two. The eastern side of the bridge was destroyed by retreating Soviet troops on the morning of 9 July 1941, while the surviving western bridge arch was destroyed by retreating German troops in 1944. 

Stay safe and protect yourself from ticks

They may be tiny creatures but ticks can seriously impact on your health when left undetected. Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis that can affect the nervous system, heart, joints, and even cause cognitive problems. Ticks are most active from spring to autumn and here is what you can do to protect yourself.

Wear long sleeves and pants when in nature (ideally white)

Use tick repellents

Always check your skin after a hike

Ask your doctor about the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine

 

Stay safe and be tick-aware so you can enjoy Estonia’s beautiful nature with peace of mind.

 

A crash course in the masterpiece "He flies to the beehive" by Juhan Liiv

Today in history: The Estonian Open Air Museum was founded

On the 22nd of May 1957 the Estonian Open Air Museum was founded in Rocca al Mares near Tallinn. The plot of land the museum was granted along the coast of Kopli Bay was orginally 66 hectares in size and has since been expanded to 72.22 ha. The Estonian Open Air Museum is a place of great cultural significance, showcasing authentic Estonian buildings from different periods and regions. The large forested area of the museum allows visitors to explore at their leisure and catch a vivid glimpse of Estonia's yesteryears. More information about this wonderful museum can be found here.

How difficult is it to learn Estonian?

Estonian is generally considered a difficult language to learn, especially for native English speakers. Its complex grammar, particularly the 14 grammatical cases, and its non-Indo-European origins contribute to this difficulty. It typically takes 1,000 to 2,000 hours of study to go from complete beginner to fluent in a foreign language. But in regards to Estonian, it may take longer.

Tommy Cash clinches 3rd place at Eurovision final

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is over for another year, and like always the show was entertaining, suspenseful and full of surprises. Some countries ranked higher in the voting than expected, whilst others were left disappointed. Tommy Cash gave an excellent performance with his song "Espresso Macchiato"and it was a clear favourite with the public vote. Cash actually received more points in the televote than the Austrian winner JJ. Israel came second place in the competition, narrowly beating Tommy Cash by just one point.

One of the highlights of this year's show was undoubtedly the peformance by Baby Lasagna and Käärijä. The audience loved it! 

Tommy Cash achieved Estonia’s second best ever result at the Eurovision Song Contest. Well done!

Tommy Cash has made Estonia so proud winning third place at Eurovision.