A momentous day in Estonian history. Estonia has certainly come a long way since.
Friday, 23 October 2015
Thursday, 22 October 2015
President Ilves Awarded the 2015 Aspen Prague Award
The 2015 Aspen Prague Award has been presented to President Ilves for his outstanding contribution to democracy building and his successful and safe leadership of Estonia as part of a united Europe; the award also acknowledges the Head of State for helping to maintain a strong Atlantic relationship between the countries of Europe and North America and for promoting regional cooperation between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
President Ilves gave a speech in Prague yesterday stating - 'Today we see around us a fracturing of Europe, perhaps even liberal democracy more broadly. We are figuratively as well as literally building new walls where instead we should be enjoying the freedom so many European countries fought for so long to achieve'.
To read the full text of his speech, please click here:
Tallinn Voted Fifth Best Airport in Europe
The 2015 Sleeping in Airports survey has revealed that Tallinn has one of the best airports in Europe. Travellers voted for the Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport based on their experiences and found it to be modern, comfortable and with excellent services.
The top ten airports in Europe as voted by travellers are:
1. Munich International Airport, Germany (MUC)
2. Helsinki Vantaa Airport, Finland (HEL)
3. Zurich Kloten International Airport, Switzerland (ZRH)
4. Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Portugal (OPO)
5. Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, Estonia (TLL)
6. Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, Netherlands (AMS)
7. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, Greece (ATH)
8. Stockholm Arlanda International Airport, Sweden (ARN)
9. Vienna International Airport, Austria (VIE
10. Warsaw Chopin International Airport, Poland (WAW)
To read the full story, please click here: http://www.sleepinginairports.net/2015/best-airports-europe.htm
Friday, 16 October 2015
Eight Estonian Jokes
Estonians are not known for their humour but of course they can be funny like everyone else. It's rare to see an Estonian give a big belly laugh when they find something amusing; usually they respond with either a grin or a smile. Estonian humour closely resembles British humour with common elements being self-depreciation, deadpan, sarcasm, irreverence and the ridiculing of authority. Estonians tend to be more funny from the comments they make rather than the jokes they tell. There is not a huge repertoire of Estonian jokes that have been translated into English but I have managed to collate a few.
Joke 1.
Joke 2.
An Estonian is driving to his summer house and sees something on the road. He stops his car and sees that it is a dead crow. He thinks a bit, and then tosses it in the trunk of his car. “Maybe it will be of some use” he thinks.
Come autumn, the same Estonian is driving back from his summer house. He stops at the same place on the road, opens his trunk, and throws the dead crow on to the road, mumbling to himself: “Didn't need it after all.”
Joke 3.
What is the difference between an Estonian introvert and an Estonian extrovert? When an introvert speaks he looks down at his shoes. When the extrovert speaks he looks down at your shoes.
There’s a joke about Estonia and technology. An American find cables underground during a construction project, he concludes that ancient Americans knew about telephones. A German digs 200 metres and finds glass fibres and concludes that ancient Germans already knew about fibre optics. An Estonian gets curious and decides to dig, only to find nothing despite of going all the way to 2000 metres. The conclusion: evidently ancient Estonians already used WiFi.
Joke 5. Once there was an Estonian who loved his wife so much that he almost told her.
(Estonian men are not known for being romantic or overly affectionate.)
Sometimes Estonians are ridiculed for being slow because they generally think carefully before they act and don't hurry. Here are a few jokes for Estonian speakers.
Joke 6.
Eesti kiirabi tunnuslause: 'Aeg parandab kõik haavad'.
(Estonian ambulance slogan - 'time heals all wounds').
Joke 7.
Jumal, aeglase taibuga eestlane ja kiire taibuga eestlane istuvad ümber laua ning mängivad pokkerit. Laua keskele kerkib tohutu kuhi raha. Korraga kaob elekter ja tuba mattub pimedusse.
Hetke pärast süttivad tuled uuesti, kuid raha on laualt kadunud. Kes selle pihta pani?Vastus: aeglase taibuga eestlane. Teised tegelased on kujutlusvõime viljad.
Joke 8.
Kuidas eestlasega sõbraks saada?
Joo temaga kaks aastat ja ta hakkab vaikselt avanema.
Monday, 12 October 2015
Churches of Tallinn
Estonia may now be considered one of the least religious countries in the world but its history is rich in religious traditions. For centuries, local parishes were the administrators in Estonian communities, recording and overseeing all vital family occasions including births, baptisms, confirmations, deaths and marriages. Estonia was historically a predominantly Lutheran country.
The Soviet Occupation changed religious life in Estonia dramatically. Religion was suppressed and certain activities such as singing hymns in public were forbidden. The faithful were forced to keep their beliefs secret.
Religious life was suppressed for over 50 years in Estonia but the beautiful churches that still exist today are a reminder of how Christian faith once made up the fabric of Estonian life. There are many beautiful churches in Estonia to explore. Tallinn's main five have been beautifully restored for locals and visitors to enjoy.
St. Olaf Church
(Oleviste kirik)
Located: 50 Lai Tänav, Tallinn
St Olaf' church is Tallinn's biggest medieval structure. It took its name from the sainted Norwegian King Olav II Haraldsson and was once the tallest building in the world. Built during the 12th century St. Olaf became one of the main churches in the Lower Town and formed its own congregation, which at first mostly comprised Scandinavian merchants and craftsmen together with some Estonians. After the reformation in Tallinn in 1523 St. Olaf became a Lutheran church but since 1950 it has been Baptist.
For a few Euros visitors can climb up the church tower and discover a spectacular view of Tallinn.
For a few Euros visitors can climb up the church tower and discover a spectacular view of Tallinn.
Trivia: Lightning is known to have struck St. Olaf's tower around ten times, three of which led to extensive fires in 1625, 1820 and 1931.
St. Mary's Cathedral
(Toomkirik / Tallinna Neitsi Maarja Piiskoplik Toomkirik)
Located: Toom-Kooli Tänav 6, Tallinn
Built around 1219 when the Danes invaded Tallinn, St. Mary's was originally a wooden church that was later rebuilt into a stone structure. St Mary's Cathedral was first mentioned in the year 1233 and is the oldest church in Tallinn and mainland Estonia. It is also the only building in Toompea which survived a 17th-century fire. St. Mary's was originally a Roman Catholic cathedral, it became Lutheran in 1561 and now belongs to the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Trivia: Several famous people have been buried in the church including renowned Swedish military officer Pontus De la Gardie and his wife as well as Swedish King Johann III's daughter Sophia Gyllenhelm.
St. John's Church
(Jaani kirik)
Located: Freedom Square
Built between 1862 and 1867, St. John's church is a large Lutheran church that was consecrated on 17 December 1867. The church was built in the neo-Gothic style, with soaring lancet arches, three principal aisles, with a tall tower at the west end topped with a decorative spire. There is a choir and chancel, a small semi-circular apse and a large vestry. The church is built on the eastern edge of Freedom Square and dominates the square architecturally. St. John's church has a rich history in choir singing and today it is still used as a popular concert venue.
Trivia: Johannes Carl Assmuth (1845 - 1916) the former cantor of St. John's is the man behind the winning entry of the very first Estonian Song Festival. In 1869 he convinced his male choir to travel to Tartu to take part in the event. The journey took them four days using borrowed horse wagons but it was well worth the effort as they won!
St Nicholas Church
(Niguliste kirik)
Located: 3 Niguliste Tänav, Tallinn
St. Nicholas’ Church was one of the two parish churches in medieval Tallinn and one of the wealthiest churches in town. It was founded and built around 1230–1275 by Westphalian merchants, who came from Gotland in the 13th century. The church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron of the fishermen and sailors. Saint Nicholas was the only church in Tallinn which remained untouched by iconoclasm brought by the Protestant Reformation in 1523. The head of the congregation poured molten lead into the locks of the church to prevent the raging hordes from getting in.
On the 9th of March 1944, the church was severely damaged by the Soviet Bombing of Tallinn in World War II. The resulting fire turned the church into ruins and destroyed most of its interior (except that of the St. Anthony chapel), including baroque pews, lofts and pulpit. Many precious art treasures survived thanks to their timely evacuation from the church. The renovation of the church started in 1953 and was completely finished in 1981. Fire once again damaged the tower in October 1982. After a restoration was carried out under the guidance of conservator-restorer Villem Raam, the church was inaugurated in 1984 as a museum and concert hall, where the collection of medieval art of the Art Museum of Estonia is displayed.
Trivia: The museum also contains a special silver chamber with the silver treasures of guilds, craft corporations and the Brotherhood of Blackheads
Church of the Holy Ghost
(Püha Vaimu kirik)
Located: 2 Pühavaimu Tänav, Tallinn
The Church of the Holy Ghost is a medieval Lutheran church that is located in the heart of the Old Town. It is situated behind Raekoja Plats, opposite the Great Guild and Kalev's Maiasmokk Cafe. Construction of the church began sometime during the first half of the 13th century and the church was first mentioned in written sources in 1319. The fact that the church does not face due east may suggest that it was erected in an already built-up area and had to adapt to the street layout. Originally the church was part of a greater almshouse complex, and dedicated to the Holy Ghost. The Church of the Holy Ghost has a plain, white-washed exterior with crow-stepped gables, an octagonal tower with large Gothic stain glass windows. A major feature of the church is its finely carved clock made by Christian Ackermann. It has been telling the time in Tallinn since the 17th century.
Trivia: The church was the first church in Estonia to hold services in Estonian, and the first extracts of the catechism to be published in Estonian were printed here in 1535.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Located: 10 Lossi Plats Tallinn
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Tallinn's largest and grandest Orthodox cathedral. It was designed by Mikhail Preobrazhensky and constructed between 1894 - 1900. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky who in 1242 won the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipus, in the territorial waters of present-day Estonia. The cathedral is richly decorated and has eleven bells, five onion domes and three altars. It is a popular tourist attraction and is one of the most photographed buildings in Tallinn.
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is located on the hill of Toompea which, according to legend is the final resting place of Kalev, father of Estonian folk hero Kalevipoeg.
Trivia: In 1924 there were plans to have the cathedral demolished but the government later changed its mind.
IOM Releases Estonian Welcome Guide For Asylum Seekers and Refugees
The new 'Welcome Guide for Asylum Seekers and Refugees' has been released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The guide is available in English, Russian, French and Arabic and is an interesting read not only for refugees but for anyone with an interest in Estonia.
Here's an extract from the booklet:
Greetings and distance
● People usually greet each other with a wave of the hand, i.e. without physical contact.
● A handshake is used in more formal settings (regardless of whether the other person is a man or a woman).
● Physical contact (e.g. a hug) is common among young people and in informal communication.
● Kissing on the cheek is not very common in Estonia.
● Estonians like to keep some space around them, and invading this space may be seen as aggressive – it makes people feel uncomfortable, and they may take a step back to maintain their personal space.
Eye contact
● Estonians consider eye contact very important in communication, as it shows that you are interested in the other person and that they have your attention.
● If you avoid eye contact, people may think you have something to hide or that you are bored or not interested in the conversation.
● Always make eye contact, but ensure it is not too intense, or it may be interpreted as overbearing.
Emotions and smiling
● Estonians may seem reserved at first.
● Estonians do not smile much in official communication.
● Estonians may be rather more emotional and smile more often once you have broken the ice and befriended them.
● Although Estonians may seem cold at first, this does not mean that they dislike you. They simply need time to get to know you.
Conversation habits
● It is important to be specific in conversations. Taking a long time to get to the point is considered a waste of time.
● Estonians do not generally talk with their hands.
● People are rather informal when they communicate with their colleagues, calling them by their first name irrespective of their age or position.
● When addressing an official or service staff, it is advisable to use the formal "teie", which is also appropriate and polite when speaking to older people or meeting someone for the first time.
● However, using the less formal "sina" is not disrespectful.
Refusal
● Estonians are usually direct and say what they think, which is why they are also direct in refusal and say "no" immediately if they feel they cannot do you a favor.
● "No" usually means "no", and there is little point trying to make people change their mind – they see it as applying pressure, which may have negative consequences.
● This means that you too should be direct. It takes some getting used to, but is not impossible.
Time
● Estonians are punctual and disapprove of being late;
● if you have agreed to attend a job interview, made an appointment with a doctor or need to attend a meeting with people you do not know very well, make sure you arrive on time or even early; and
● if you cannot avoid being late and you know you will be in advance, make sure you call and let the other person or people know.
To read the full guide in English, please click here:
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