Articles and Stories

April 28, 2015

Capital: Tallinn

Population: 1.3 million

Official language: Estonian

Currency: EUR

The Republic of Estonia is offering one lucky winner the chance to win a trip for two to Estonia. Just complete the quiz by the end of May at http://quiz.mfa.ee/quiz_2015?restart=1 for your chance to win.

Our helpful facts below should help you along the way.
The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana represents the independence of the state of Estonia. It is entrusted to the president of the Republic of Estonia, as well as being given to foreigners as an award for special services contributed to the Republic. It is the highest order given to non-Estonian citizens.

Setomaa, a region in southeastern Estonia has been included in the UNESCO heritage list.  It’s contribution being the polyphonic singing tradition, Seto leelo. Leelo combines a lead singer and back up choir set to traditional melodies. It is performed in traditional Estonian garb and is popular among tourists.

Music festivals are plentiful in Estonia. One was given the honor of being named one of the world’s most important winter music festivals by two British newspapers.  The Tallinn Music Week bestowed this title for 2015.

Estonia recently won the European Tree of the year competition. The competition awards trees that are of significant cultural importance and aims to protect and preserve these trees. The tree that won for Estonia, the oak tree on a football field in Orissaare, Saaremaa, Estonia. It is the only football field you could probably find with a tree in the middle. They once tried to remove it with two tractors, but the cables kept breaking. Marks from those cables can still be seen in the trunk of that mighty oak.

Tangerines, an Estonian co-produced film, was about an Estonian man who provides refuge to two wounded enemies during the Abkhazian-Georgian conflict in 1992. The film was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

Estonia is the first country to provide e-residency. So you may be thinking what is e-residency?  It is a secure digital identity allowing non-residents digital authentication and signing. It allows one to utilize different Estonian e-services, but does not allow for entry into Estonia or any type of physical residency.

Ukraine received the most funds from the Foreign Ministry’s development cooperation and humanitarian aid budget in 2014. Estonia has financed development cooperation since 1998 with a total contribution of 28 million euros. Funds were used to assist Ukraine’s internal refugees, providing them with medicine, food, winter clothing, and other necessities.

The Võromaa smoke sauna tradition was recently added to the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The smoke saunas are usually a family affair and the tradition includes sitting in the sauna together until the body sweats and whisking off dead skin cells to promote blood circulation. The sauna’s main function is to relax both the body and mind.

In 2014 Estonia exported goods primarily to Sweden, Finland, and Latvia. Electrical equipment, wood and metal products, and agricultural products were amongst the goods exported.  Last year Estonia exported goods totaling 12.1 billion Euros.

Kelly Sildaru is an Estonian free skier who started skiing at the age of two. In 2014 she was named Europe’s top female skier. She has accomplished tricks no other woman skier has been able to achieve and is known worldwide.

According to Bachtrack, a classical music site, Arvo Pärt is the most performed living contemporary composer for the fourth year in a row. An Estonia native, Pärt was born in 1935 and will celebrate his 80th birthday this September.

A Christmas tree made from recycled wood located in Rakvere, Estonia was part of the Huffington Post’s 2014 most “Over-the-Top” Christmas trees from around the world. It was designed by local students out of waste wood and stood over 33 feet high.