Old Tallinn ice-skating rink in Kalevi Garden

The Kalevi Garden was a sports ground in Tallinn that existed before World War II. It was located on the site of today's Viru Square. In 1865, Mayor Jakob Johann Gonsior bequeathed the large plot of land to the city and a garden was established where many public celebrations and sporting events took place. The area was first called Gonsior Garden.

In 1922, this sports ground became Kalevi Garden. Sports events were held there, such as football, athletics, ice hockey, hockey and other sports competitions. A wooden goal tower was built on Kalevi Garden in 1924.

The sports ground, together with the old direction of Gonsiori Street, disappeared from Tallinn's cityscape after the war in the second half of the 1940s.

 

 Kalevi Garden 

 

 

Skating rink in Kalevi Garden, behind the former Gonsiori Street.

 

Figure skaters on the ice rink.
 

Estonia tops world's environmentally friendly list

Estonia has been ranked as the most environmentally friendly country in the world for 2024, achieving a score of 75.7. Luxembourg follows it with 75.1 and Germany with 74.5. Since 2010, Estonia has successfully reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 42 percent. Luxembourg combines economic prosperity with environmental responsibility. Meanwhile, Germany stands out for its renewable energy deployment and innovative waste management practices.

What treats do Europeans eat at Christmas time?

 Kringle, yes, but Estonians also enjoy eating piparkoogid at Christmas time!

Merry Christmas! Häid jõule!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. May the day be filled with much happiness and joy!

Traditional Estonian Christmas Food

Christmas is only a few days away and now is the time to prepare for the biggest feast of the year. Food is at the heart of all Christmas celebrations and although it takes considerable time to cook a feast, it is always worth it when we are sitting down enjoying it with our loved ones. Traditional Estonian Christmas cuisine varies slightly from that of other countries, rather than eating Christmas turkey, goose or ham, Estonians prefer to eat pork accompanied with the traditional blood sausage (verivorst).

There are many side dishes on an Estonian Christmas table. Every Estonian home includes braised sauerkraut and oven-roasted potatoes with their pork. Other popular dishes are sült (brawn), potato salad, pickled cucumbers and pumpkin, and of course dark rye bread.  The darker the better!

Estonians also enjoy eating piparkoogid (gingerbread biscuits) at Christmas time and when you make them yourself, the kitchen is filled with a wonderful spicy aroma that really makes you feel like it's Christmas. The same goes for when you make homemade glögi (mulled wine). It's a real treat!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Photo flashback: Old Estonian bookstore

Interior views of Estonian bookstores from a hundred years ago are quite rare to find. Here are two photos of Postimees' bookstore in Tartu that were taken in 1929. The photographs are originally from a print advertisement.

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Winter solstice: The shortest day of the year

December 21 marks the winter solstice in Estonia. It is both the shortest day of the year and also the longest night. Estonia had just under eight hours of daylight today, with the sun rising at 9:19am this morning and setting at 3:21pm. From tomorrow the days will gradually get longer until Midsummer's Night in June.