Launch of the EML Roland and EML Risto.  Source: mil.ee

The Estonian Navy (Merevägi) took delivery of two new, Saaremaa-built force protection vessels, the first ships built to order for the navy since the restoration of independence in 1991.

A launch ceremony took place on December 10, at Nasva Harbor, Saaremaa, to mark the official handover of the two vessels, the ENS Risto and the ENS Roland, built by Baltic Workboats AS (BWB), to the navy.

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Published: December 20 2020

Tartu's "success story" at reducing car traffic, noise and air pollution in the city center has been nominated for an international award at the Green Destinations Stories Awards.

In October, Tartu entered the Sustainable TOP 100 Destinations list of the international sustainable tourism development organization Green Destinations.

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Published: December 20 2020

Former U.S. Secretary of State Awarded Estonian Order of Merit

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia has awarded former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz an Order of Merit for his services to Estonia; this on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

"We are very honoured to recognise George Shultz, the former U.S. Secretary of State.

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Published: December 20 2020

Kristjan Järvi, an internationally well known charismatic Estonian musician and conductor (familiar to Estonians in the USA as he, his brother Paavo and their father Neeme Järvi have guest conducted several USA symphony orchestras, and Kristjan co-founded the New York based classical hip-hop-jazz group Absolute Ensemble),  is featured in a documentary film, “Nordic Pulse”, directed by David Donnelly, 2019.  

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Published: December 13 2020

Health coach, cookbook author and retreat facilitator Marika Blossfeldt spends winters in Beacon, upstate New York, and summers at her farm Polli Talu in Rame küla, Estonia.

Her most recent book, “COOKING WITH MARIKA: Clean Cuisine from an Estonian Farm” was published in May 2020.

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Published: December 13 2020

Ave-Maria Blithe

Ave-Maria Blithe and Raivo Reinup. Photo: Sven Must (2020)

Yes, we heathen Estonians take great pleasure in calling our traditional Yule food “blood sausage” instead of the more politically correct “black pudding”.

After all - this delicious wurst in crackling casing IS made with fresh blood, minced meats, barley and secret herbs.

We, the oldest peoples of Europe, who have continually inhabited the same territory on the shores of the Baltic Sea for over 10 000 years (according to various archaeological excavations and carbon dating of artifacts), and proud of our Viking heritage, do enjoy this “gruesome” delicacy. 

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Published: December 13 2020

Mary was born in New York City on September 5, 1958. The fourth of Elmar and Joan Sepp's six children, her love for words and interest in culture and travel were apparent from early childhood.

Blessed with a ferocious love of humanity, Mary was driven to learn languages, travel to distant lands, and share the things she'd learned along the way.

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Published: December 13 2020

First Ever Virtual EANC Annual Meeting

The 22nd representative body of the Estonian American National Council, Inc. (EANC) held its annual plenary meeting on November 14 and 15 for the first time in virtual format.

All 28 elected members of the representative body participated.

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Published: December 13 2020