Victory Day, celebrated annually on 23 June, marks the anniversary of a crucial military victory against foreign forces in 1919; the Midsummer Eve celebration on the same night will see thousands of bonfires lighting up the sky across Estonia. Victory Day (Võidupüha) marks the decisive battle during the Estonian War of Independence in which the […]
Estonia celebrates Victory Day Read More »
The Jewish community of Estonia celebrated the inauguration of their newly-written Sefer Torah scroll that is dedicated to the past, present and future generations of the Estonian Jews. The precious scroll travelled across the country, to be completed by Jews in the places of past and present Jewish dwellings and memorials, before being officially inaugurated
Estonian Jews celebrate their new Torah scroll Read More »
At 4 pm on 20 July 1980, the Olympic flame was lit and the Olympic anthem was played in the Estonian capital – Tallinn became a host city of the Moscow Olympic Games’ sailing programme. In preparation of the international sporting event, a number of huge construction projects were undertaken and new buildings erected. Most
The Joint Baltic American National Committee looks back at 55 years of advocating on Baltic issues in the United States. The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc, came together 55 years ago on 27 April 1961, documented by the decision and signatures of the heads of the leading national Baltic organisations. In doing so, it
Fifty-five years of advocating on Baltic issues in the US celebrated Read More »
A colour film, published on YouTube, courtesy of the Canada-based Museum of Estonians Abroad depicts Estonian towns and people in the 1930s. The film, made in 1938 and 1939, shows the Estonian towns of Tallinn, Tartu and Narva as well as the Estonian folk and singing culture just few years prior to losing the country’s
Video: A colour film of Estonia in the 1930s Read More »
Young generation of Estonians cannot conceive of an Estonia that was not free, writes Justin Petrone, an Estonia-based columnist and writer. On a cold winter’s night, not too many weeks ago, I was enjoying a sauna with my eight-year-old daughter Anna when she turned to me and asked me a question. “Daddy, who was president
Justin Petrone: When Estonia wasn’t free Read More »
It might seem strange, but the main message to take away from the Tallinn Museum of Occupations is one of hope, at least that’s what managing director Merilin Piipuu wants visitors to think about when they come to see the museum’s exhibitions. Built on the corner of Toompea, the rectangular glass and concrete building is
Hope and freedom: remembering Estonia’s occupations Read More »
The Estonian American National Council (EANC) needs your help to tell the Estonian-American story. They are out there somewhere. Maybe in an old shoebox in a dark forgotten corner of the attic. Maybe inside the front cover of a dusty book, whose pages haven’t felt a turning thumb in a decade. Or, maybe in plain view, quaintly
Calling all Estonian-American historians Read More »
On 23 July 1940, the United States’ acting Secretary of State, Sumner Welles, issued a declaration that condemned the Soviet Union’s aggression against Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It became to be known as the Welles Declaration and for the next 51 years, it formed the basis for the American refusal to recognise the Soviet occupation
75 years since the US refusal to accept the annexation of Estonia Read More »
An eyewitness account of life in Estonia at the beginning of 50 years of Soviet occupation in June 1940 – Estonia’s darkest hour. When World War Two broke out in September 1939, no-one could have imagined the horrific consequences it would have for Estonia and its people. At the start of the war, Estonia had declared
Life in Estonia at the outset of the Second World War and the occupation Read More »
