Estonia offers seclusion and serenity from the cobbled streets of Tallinn to idyllic beaches, while simultaneously serving as an incubator of innovation.
Economic difficulties have forced Estonians to reconsider their relationship with the European Union (EU), which accounts for roughly half of their budget. Yet this debate has only further divided society.
History
Estonia, one of the Baltic States, and Finland share an ancient linguistic bond. Since regaining independence after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Estonia has flourished economically as one of Europe’s leading post-communist economies. Estonia operates as a parliamentary democracy under President Taavi Rivas as Chief of State and Prime Minister Pekka Niinisto as Head of Government; they are both members of European Union and Nato.
Medieval Crusading Knights from Denmark, Sweden, and Germany subdued the pagan population in northern and western Estonia during medieval Europe’s crusading era. As part of the Livonian War in early 13th Century Sweden was given control of most of Estonia; eventually Teutonic Knights received much of modern day Estonia due to an agreement. Meanwhile Reval (now Tallinn) fell under Swedish control until Sweden’s defeat in Great Northern War allowed Russia to gain full control. Lutheran Church services were held primarily in Germanic languages until late 19th Century when southern Estonia fell under Russian control after Swedish defeat during their Great Northern War defeat, followed by Swedish rule until Russia took control.
In 1919, Estonian nobility underwent land reform, beginning the long process of economic and political unification. A constitution similar to Switzerland’s was adopted in 1933 and granted strong executive powers; then in 1938 a more liberal version was approved and implemented.
Following World War Two’s chaotic events, in 1940 the Soviet Union forced Estonia to accept military bases as part of its Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR). By the late 1980s as communism began crumbling around the world, people in Estonia sought democratic and economic independence for themselves and demanded fuller democratic sovereignty and economic autonomy for themselves and their nation.
Estonia avoided the bloodshed seen in Latvia and Lithuania’s attempts at freedom with a nonviolent strategy, earning international recognition when they reclaimed their independence on August 20th. Their Supreme Soviet negotiated a new constitution and implemented policies such as glasnost (openness) and perestroika (reconstruction) to provide for greater political and economic autonomy for their nation.
Culture
Estonia exudes timelessness, where Nordic meets Baltic influences merge, past meets future and medieval castles merge with innovative design. From Tallinn’s old town’s mesmerizing beauty, woodsy smoke sauna or family heirloom, Estonian culture flows freely like rivers filling its lakes and marshes.
The Estonian National Museum in Tartu offers an anthropological approach to Estonia’s diverse culture while the Estonian Literary Museum serves as a repository for folk literature and song traditions – both are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Although Estonia is largely urbanized, rural traditions remain strong – particularly in its southeast corner. The Land of Setos on Russia’s border is well known for onion cultivation and Leelo singing style; on Saaremaa and Hiiumaa islands they boast their unique cuisine featuring fish such as Baltic herring (raim), served either smoked, pickled or fried; potato porridge is another staple food item as is head cheese.
Traditional clothing and choral music remain essential components of Estonian cultural identity, with the first All-Estonian Song Festival beginning in 1869 and now one of the world’s largest amateur choral events.
Estonian is its national language, and widely spoken within Estonia’s media industry. Up until recently, as part of a Soviet republic, media content was tightly managed; today however, Estonia has liberalized the media market.
Estonian culture of self-sufficiency combined with Protestant work ethic and free education has resulted in a society that promotes freedom and equality. Religious affiliation is low among Estonians who tend to tolerate others regardless of their beliefs.
Language
Estonian is a Finnic Uralic language related to Finnish and Hungarian, offering rich vowels and an extensive literary legacy that make learning it challenging yet worth your while.
Estonia was formed as an independent Republic in 1918, and Estonian was adopted as its official language. Since then, it has remained Estonia’s primary form of government communication, education, business transactions and media coverage – even being one of 24 officially recognized European languages.
Estonia is home to over one million inhabitants who speak not only standard Estonian but also English as their second language, although many in Northern Estonia can also speak Finnish (both Estonian and Finnish belong to the Finnic group) and Russian as second languages. Additionally, Swedish used to be spoken widely across Western and Northern Estonia’s coastline and islands at one time.
Estonian is an ancient language with influences from Danish and German; its first written example can be found in a Livonian Chronicle written by King Henry in around 1200. Danish and Germanic invaders took control of Estonia in mid-1300s, leaving their legal, government, education, and Lutheran church institutions behind.
In the 1700s, Sweden’s defeat in the Great Northern War caused Estonia and Livonia to capitulate to Russia, yet legal systems and Lutheran churches continued operating mainly in German until late 19th century and partially until 1919 – though support from Baltic German nobility allowed for an ecclesiastical state supported by Low Saxon and High German nobility and language used as court proceedings were predominantly Low Saxon/High German; therefore 25% of Estonian words can be traced back to these two sources.
Food
Estonian cuisine draws its inspiration from Scandinavia, Germany, Russia as well as rural traditions. Rye bread, fish, meat, dairy products, potatoes and root vegetables are mainstays in Estonian diet. Salted or marinated mushrooms are particularly beloved dishes here.
As a result of long, cold, and snowy winters, traditional dishes tend to be heartier than those served in summer. An example would be Mulgikapsad – a hearty stew featuring sauerkraut, barley and meat such as smoked pork meat or bacon. Another dish commonly consumed during this season is Verivorst which contains blood, gravel and onion in its ingredients.
Nogesesupp is an enjoyable spring or early summer soup made of nettles. While most are familiar with its painful sting, nettles contain many important vitamins. Nogesesupp can be enjoyed raw, added to salads, stews or omelets or used dried in tea making!
Cuisine of Estonia is completed by delectable desserts such as cakes, pastries, and pies that contain fruit preserves or chocolate. Kuhupiimakreem, an Estonian dessert that blends curd cheese with vanilla bean paste and sugar is another classic example. Ruiskatut cookies provide tasty snacks or can even serve as the basis for canapes filled with cream cheese and lingonberry preserves.
Weather
As Estonia is located at an approximately northern latitude, its climate is strongly impacted by both the Baltic Sea and Gulf Stream, giving coastal areas and islands considerably milder temperatures than inland parts of the country.
Estonia enjoys a milder climate that makes summer days enjoyable with temperatures usually ranging between 20-26 degC during the daytime, and 12-13 degC for nightly temperatures.
June and July are typically the warmest months of the year, offering pleasant daytime temperatures that quickly cool at night for optimal sightseeing and outdoor recreation.
From mid-August to October, temperatures begin to cool off but are still ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities, though you might experience rainy or cloudy days from time to time.
Estonia experiences harsh winter conditions, with windy conditions and snowfall becoming rare in urban areas; on average, daylight only lasts 6 hours each day on average.
On average, Estonia receives approximately 700 millimeters (27.5 inches). Rainfall usually increases between spring and autumn.
Winter in Estonia sees the sea freeze over much of its area, making swimming unsafe unless you’re extremely brave. May is typically considered ideal as the water temperatures reach above 15 degC (60 degF). When visiting Estonia during this season it is advised that visitors bring plenty of warm clothing as well as suitable footwear; snow shoes or ice-cleats could come in very handy when walking along beaches or trekking into mountains.