You can now watch 'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood' in the comfort of your own home

If you missed seeing the multi-award-winning Estonian documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood in cinemas last year, don't worry, it is now available on streaming platforms Amazon Prime Video, BFI Player, Curzon Home Cinema and Rakuten TV. Anna Hint's documentary has been described as 'mesmerising', 'an intangible marvel' and, 'the visual poetry is magnificent'.

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood: In the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences, washing off the shame trapped in their bodies and regaining their strength through a sense of communion. You can watch it here.

Estonia during winter is one of the most fairytale like times of the year!

Christmas may be over for another year but winter will be with us for quite a while yet. Estonia is absolutely stunning during the winter months when the country is covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. During this time of year sunrise is around 9:20am and sunset is at 3:20pm. The short daylight hours can be a bit daunting for some, but dusk is when the magic really begins. Pastel coloured skies or clear blue nights provides endless photo opportunities to capture Estonia in all its splendour!

 

Tallinn Old Town

Beautiful sunset with reflection on the river Vigala.

 

Viljandi lake
 

Kõpu Lighthouse in Hiiumaa. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and 

has been in continuous use since its completion in 1531.

                                                                        

Beautiful Tartu!

Tallinn lookout

Põlva's New Smart Road System

The town of Põlva, located in southeastern Estonia, is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. With a population of 13,500 residents, it also blends tradition with modernity. Põlva Municipal Government, in collaboration with Bercman Technologies, has successfully completed the construction of an innovative smart road system that commenced operation at the end of 2023. This video explains how it works.

  

The population of Estonia grew in 2023

New data from Statistics Estonia reveal that Estonia's population increased by 4,184 in 2023. On the first of January 2024 there were 1,373,101 people registered as living in Estonia. The population of Harju and Tartu counties rose the most, by 6,239 and 2,025 people respectively. More information from the population register will be released on January 18.

Today marks the 104th anniversary of the end of the Estonian War of Independence

On January 3, 1920, the rifles, machine guns, cannons and armoured trains of Estonian soldiers fell silent in the War of Independence. A final truce began. A month later, the victory of Estonians was carved in stone with the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty. Today in Tallinn, a solemn ceremony took place to commemorate those who fell in the Estonian War of Independence. We will never forget their sacrifice.

Almost every Estonian has an ancestor or family member who participated in the War of Independence and contributed to the formation of our country. Today is dedicated to their memory.

 f you are interested in finding records about relatives who fought in the Estonian War of Independence, you can search the National Archive database here - Vabadussõda

 

First aurora borealis of the year

This photograph was taken last night in Simuna by Kairo Kiitsak. Simuna is located in Väike-Maarja Parish in north eastern Estonia. The wind chill temperature was -26C.

Head uut aastat! Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! A new year is upon us so it's time to get cracking with new ideas and plans to achieve those dreams! Let's get started!

In a recent poll conducted by Norstat, Estonians were asked  what were their New Year's resolutions. Here are the top ten.

1. Start exercising more
2. Be better at living in the moment
3. Lose weight
4. Be more positive
5. Eat healthier
6. Live life more sustainably
7. Spend more time with my family
8. Be less bothered by small things
9. Spend less time on social media
10. Consume less alcohol