Estonia – basic info
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- Aktualizováno 13. 12. 2011 22:32
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Estonia – officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by the Russian Federation. The capital and largest city is Tallinn.
Tallinn is situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, in north-western Estonia. Through history Tallinn has also been called Reval and Kolõvan. At the medieval ages Tallinn has been known as a popular trading port. (Hansa town). Historically, the city has been attacked, sacked, razed and pillaged on numerous occasions. Although extensively bombed by Soviet air forces during the latter stages of World War II, much of the medieval Old Town still retains its charm.
Tallinn from Toompea Castle. [Photo: Gunnar Bach Pedersen]
The national flag of Estonia is a tricolor featuring three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white.
Interpretation of the colors:
- blue: vaulted blue sky above the native land;
- black: attachment to the soil of the homeland as well as the fate of Estonians – for centuries black with worries;
- white: hard work, purity, commitment, and (most likely) white sails of ships.
National costumes were most valued clothes for Estonians. They were/are worn on great holidays. Every Estonian county has it`s own national costume with different texture and color scheme.
Muhu island`s national clothes
from exhibition in Estonian
Folk Art Center in Tallinn.
Estonian song festival is a great and important national party for Estonians. The festival is held at the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn.
Lauluväljak – The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds with
more than 100 000 people. [Photo: Egon Tintse].
Estonian national instrument, zither (also known as kannel in Estonian) is more than 2000 years old. It consists of a wooden body with metal strings stretched over it. There is a string for every note.
Zither (kannel).
Cornflower is Estonia`s national flower. It has deep blue color. It grows in rye fields.
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Rye bread (black bread) has been on the Estonians' tables for centuries, it's valued and respected nationwide. Estonians have always had a special respect for black bread, because it was hard work to make it. The bread was always baked by the mother and cut by the father. It was a custom in the old times to pick up a piece of bread, when it has fallen to the floor, and kiss it. Rye bread is a type of bread made with various percentages of flour from rye grain. It can be light or dark in color, depending on the type of flour used and the addition of coloring agents, and is typically denser than bread made from wheat flour. It is higher in fiber than many common types of bread and is often darker in color and stronger in flavour.
Rye bread.
Baking of bread.
Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803–1882) wrote the Estonian epic “Kalevipoeg” (Son of Kalev), based on stories he gathered from the people. He has also written many fairytales and is referred to as the estonians’ singing father.
F. R. Kreutzwald reading
“The Kalevipoeg” in manuscript, 1864,
portait by Johann Köler
Kalevipoeg is Estonian national hero. He was, as legends say, Estonian king. He was very tall and very strong. For example he carried a heap of timber on his shoulder to great distances. He also defeated warriors, witches and demons. There are a number of legends about him. First book about Kalevipoeg was published 1862, author F. R. Kreutzwald.
Illustration to “Kalevipoeg”
by Oskar Kallis
Pirita abbey was sanctified in 1436, but was considerably damaged during the Livonian war. Only ruins stay from the original abbey. In 2001 a new Brigittine abbey was sanctified right next to the original abbey's north side.
Pirita abbey.
Mountain Suur Munamägi (318 m, in English the Great Egg Hill), which is located in the middle part of Haanja uplands (Võru county), is the highest point in Estonia and other two Baltic countries. On the top of the Suur Munamägi there is an observation tower – the view from 346.7 meters is 50 km in radius.
Landscape around Suur Munamägi.
Observation tower of Suur Munamägi.
Estonian currency.
Estonian crown was established in 1992. There are 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 crown bills and cents. Printed on the bills are portraits of famous Estonian cultural persons.
Estonian crown