Estonia helps Ukraine to adapt to the EU agricultural requirements

Read on:
http://www.agri.ee/en/news/estonia-helps-ukraine-adapt-eu-agricultural-requirements

Tallinn's Oldest Monument - The Memorial Cross of Blasius Hochgrewe

Still situated in its original location, the Memorial Cross of Blasius Hochgrewe is Tallinn's oldest monument.  The cross dates from the late 1500s and commemorates the death of Blasius Hochgrewe, a well known merchant and citizen of Tallinn who was slain at the site while defending his beloved city. During the Livonian War on 11th September 1560, Tallinn's citizens staged an uprising against Ivan the Terrible's marauding troops.  Noblemen, merchants, aldermen and commoners fought side by side in an event which would become known as the Battle of Jerusalem Hill. The cross itself is original but the stone platform on which it stands was built in the late 19th century.  Since 1964 the monument has been under heritage protection.

The monument is located at Marta Tänav, Tallinn.

2014 Sees an Increase in the Number of Estonians Joining Kaitseliit, The Estonian Defence League

Kaitseliit, the Estonian Defence League was first established in 1918 after Estonia declared its independence. It existed until the beginning of the Soviet occupation in 1940 and was re-established in 1991 when Estonia's independence was restored. With growing concern over Russia's violations of international law, many Estonians have decided to join Kaitseliit in order to protect their country and families. My grandfather was a member of Kaitseliit and if I lived in Estonia, I would probably be a member too.

You can read the full Wall Street Journal article here:
http://online.wsj.com/articles/alarm-over-russia-draws-volunteers-to-defend-estonia-1412266762

Discover the Wonders of Pokumaa!

If you are in Estonia and want to try something new one weekend, why not venture into the enchanting world of Pokumaa! Located in south eastern Estonia, Pokumaa is based on the creation of Estonian writer/illustrator Edgar Valter. First published in 1994, 'Pokuraamat' is the story of the Pokus, childlike grass mound creatures with long golden hair reaching down to their feet and who live in the bogs of south eastern Estonia. They are beloved children's characters who are respectful of the land and live in harmony with it.

Opened in 2008,  Pokumaa brings the works of Edgar Valter to life. Here you can see some of his original oil paintings and illustrations as well as a life size Poku village.

During his 55 year career Edgar Valter has over 250 books to his name and Pokuraamat is undoubtedly his most famous work.

Pokumaa Ticket Prices
Children: 2.50 €
Adults: 3.50 €
Family ticket; 9.00 €
Guided tours are available in English and German as well as Estonian.

Pokumaa is located at Urvasta vald, 66518, Estonia. Tel:+372 5842 4054

More information can be found on the official website:
http://www.pokumaa.ee/

Uranquinty Migrant Centre - 'Uranquinty Remembers'

For a some time now I have been in search of information about the Uranquinty Migrant Centre that was once located in rural New South Wales. Despite my best efforts, it has been extremely difficult to find more than a few scattered details about this transit camp that acted as a temporary base for refugees like my grandparents when they first arrived in Australia.

Wikipedia has a small article about Uranquinty which was a good starting point but when I contacted the immigration department and the National Archives of Australia, they were unable to supply me with any useful information. Disappointed, I then turned to the Estonian Archives of Australia thinking they would have a wealth of information on every migrant camp established in Australia after WWII. To my surprise however, I was informed that they've never even heard of a camp located at Uranquinty!

Frustrated but refusing to give up, I then spent hours searching online until I found exactly what I was looking for. Someone had written a book specifically about the Uranquinty Migrant Centre and naturally I ordered it straight away!

Appropriately titled Uranquinty Remembers, the book was written in 2001 by Sherry Morris, a historian from the Wagga Wagga area. The book covers all you need to know about the Uranquinty Migrant Centre including daily life, health, education, employment and the impact of the DP scheme.

If anyone else has an interest in the Uranquinty Migrant Centre, you can contact Sherry Morris directly via Linkedin to order a copy of her book.

20th Anniversary of the MS Estonia Ferry Disaster

Twenty years ago, on the 28th September 1994, one of the worst maritime disasters in Estonian history took place on the Baltic Sea. On a standard routine journey between Tallinn and Stockholm, MS Estonia, a passenger ferry with nearly 1000 people on board, encountered severe weather and capsized, taking the lives of 852 people. The tragedy took place in the early hours of the morning, sometime between midnight and 2am. The ship sank within 40 minutes of the visor being separated from the vessel.

Technical defects were at the centre of this catastrophic event. The severity of the situation had eluded both the captain and crew of MS Estonia until it was too late. Without warning the ship was flooded and capsized toward the starboard under the strain of the waves. Very few people had access to life rafts. By the time rescue helicopters reached the scene at 3am, the majority of passengers had perished inside the sunken ship and only 137 survived.

Half of the passengers on board MS Estonia were Swedish and 97% of female passengers did not make it out alive. Of the lives lost, only 94 bodies were recovered, the rest remain in a watery grave on the bed of the sea.

In the aftermath of the disaster, many relatives of the deceased demanded that the wreckage be raised so that families could give their loved ones a proper burial. In a joint government decision, it was decided that MS Estonia would not be raised, much to the heartache of the families. The site has since been sealed and declared an official memorial.

MS Estonia was built in 1980 by German shipyard Meyer Werft. 

It's intended use was for coastal waters, not the open sea.

Monument for the victims of MS Estonia in Võru

Ms Estonia memorial in Stockholm

Documentary: The Sinking of MS Estonia

To gain a better understanding of what happened to MS Estonia, this documentary presents a good timeline describing the series of events that led up to her sinking. The film features interviews with several of the survivors as well as reconstructions. One thing that shocked me and which I wasn't aware of prior to watching this film is the fact that looters attacked people and robbed them of their valuables as they scrambled to the top deck for safety. It was such a despicable act, beyond comprehension, and many people would feel satisfaction knowing these three men went down with the ship.