Estonia - Paradise of the North

Ilus Eesti, beautiful Estonia. My family's homeland. Estonia's countryside and people have an endearing gentleness about them which you fall in love with slowly and imperceptibly. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Estonians' courage and determination to survive despite centuries of repression, tyranny and foreign occupation. This blog aims to promote Estonian news, history and culture and seeks to enlighten readers about everything this unique country has to offer.

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

Estonian diplomat honoured with renaming of New York Street

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The world's longest serving diplomat, Ernst Jaakson, has had a block of Manhattan's 34th Street  renamed in his honour. Jaakson was ...
Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Estonia among the most heavily forested countries in the EU

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Over fifty percent of Estonia is covered in forest. These forests are a defining feature of the Estonian landscape, characterised by an abun...
Friday, 14 November 2025

This year's Gingerbread Mania Theme is 'Love'

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Every year a group of talented artists get together to create the piparkoogimaania / gingerbread mania art exhibition in Tallinn. The Estoni...
Wednesday, 12 November 2025

The unique and beautiful folk culture of Setomaa

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Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Estonia has the cleanest air in continental Europe

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Estonia's excellent air quality can be attributed to its vast forests, pristine bogs and wetlands, and government policies to reduce emi...
Saturday, 8 November 2025

Who were the Forest Finns?

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For nearly 700 years, Sweden and Finland were one kingdom — and their shared history runs deep. One fascinating part of that story is the mi...
Friday, 7 November 2025

Video: Estonia strengthens its border with Russia

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About Me

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Tania Lestal
I am an Estonian-Australian with a deep love for my ancestral homeland. My family originate from Nõo county near Tartu which is located in Southern Estonia. Many members of my family left Estonia due to the Soviet occupation and have since branched out and resettled across the globe. After WWII my grandparents spent time living in a DP camp in Hamburg before emigrating to Australia. Today we are the only Lestal family in Australia. We have relatives in Germany, England, Canada, Austria and of course Estonia. This blog showcases all the things I love about Estonia and I also promote Estonia as a travel destination through my work as a freelance travel writer. My articles have been published in Explore History Magazine, Wanderlust, Estonian World, Azuria, to name but a few. If you would like to get in touch, please direct any comments, enquiries or suggestions to the following email address: estonia.paradise.of.the.north@gmail.com
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