Why visit Estonia 2

100 blogposts in, and to collect what Estonia and its people uniquely offer to the world. This tough little country has hung onto its culture, language and traditions, despite centuries of foreign invasions and occupations, while over the last 34 years swiftly adopting western, liberal democracy, and the best of digital technology, mixed in with a can-do attitude.

What have the Estonians done, and how have they earned their place in Europe, and in the world? In the style of the best of Estonia, here’s the follow up to Why Visit Estonia on what makes Estonia different to almost everywhere else, why Estonia should continue to thrive with its identity intact, and, indeed, why visit or live in Estonia.

Tallinn old town

Sauna – One of the only words in English drawn from Estonian (or Finnish). Read here and here for sauna experiences. Sitting in a hot, enclosed space, then splashing in ice-cold water outside is a fine way to unwind, relax and detox, physically and mentally. And a cold beer afterwards goes down well, especially with family or friends.

Deep time – Besides the sauna, Estonia’s and other Finnic ancestors of many 1,000s of years ago in Siberia invented cross-country skiing, and a dugout boat made of an aspen log, to try out in Soomaa National Park. Also ancient are log cabin construction, planting wild cherries and rowantrees around the house, and knitted or woven designs in clothing for protection against evil spirits.

Estonian firsts – Tallinn was the first place in the world to display a Christmas tree in public, and to invent the delicious, sweet almond paste, marzipan, so the stories go. Extreme swinging was definitely invented in Estonia, and while wife carrying is Finnish, Estonians have dominated the sport. In a digital technology era, e-Stonians pioneered online face-to-face meetings (Skype), easy money transfer (Wise), and e-residency for foreign firms.   

Learn Estonian – like Finnish and the languages of the Sámi (Laplanders) in northern Scandinavia, eesti keel is almost entirely unlike Indo-European languages such as Russian or English. Practising Estonian brings you closer to nature and inner wellbeing, in a way that few other languages can do, writes Valdur Mikita.

Magically yours – if defined as “being open to the workings of the universe, to allow the universe to respond”, then Estonia is a place to try this out. Methods include retreating to the summer house, entering a shamanic trance, foraging for berries and mushrooms in the forest, and leaving gifts to benevolent spirits at sacred sites. 

The unusual – whether it’s the Kaali meteorite crater, dolostone seaside cliffs, an oak tree in a football field, or the river border with Russia, there’s a lot to take in. The enormous stones fringing the Baltic coast from the last ice age inspire wonder, as do Tallinn’s old town, the drumlin-and-lake country near Tartu, the stepping river, the windmills of Angla, alvar country, and the “singing sands” at Lahepere.