Jim Farber’s article in the Travel section of the Sunday Daily News [Aug. 9, 2015] warns travelers not to be misguided by either the visual appearance of Tallinn, nor by the common depictions and descriptions of it.
He explains that the city certainly reflects the aura of its Old Town and its — mainly 12th to 14th century — medieval construction. Behind, beside, within and surrounding this medieval and early 20th century structures, lies an ultra-modern city, which is more “electronically savvy” and “digitally innovative” than nearly any city touting itself as “modern” in the world today. He explains that its ancient beauty and “quaintness” stand, equivocally, alongside and NOT in competition with, a glass-walled, modern, 21st century city; elegant and operating in both respects. He touts it as a “nation-sized, Eastern answer to Silicon Valley.”
Mentioning Estonia’s transformation over the last 2-plus decades, since freeing itself from Soviet oppression, it created Skype and TransferWise and transformed its own government into an e-government — easily accessible by the entire citizenry — and has lately even re-branded itself as E-stonia. It has become the breeding ground for as many start-ups as have been originated in the San Francisco area.
Unlike Prague’s medieval center, Tallinn’s elegant gemstone nexus endured bombings and strife during WW II. Along with a number of photos of Tallinn, the country’s location is described, as are many of the digital advancements (e-I.D. cards, electronic signatures [and their absolute ubiquity! -both in use and acceptance!], electronic voting, e-filing of taxes and e-banking — all of which, solidly, trump, any counterparts in the U.S. and other places in the world. MOST of them do not even exist elsewhere —, etc.).
Tallinn’s many exploration-worthy sites and elements are mentioned: the maze-like Vanalinn [Old Town], with its easily-traversible [approx. 20 minutes] size, “hidden” & unpredictably located bars, restaurants and nightspots, The Song Festival Grounds and The Bastion Tunnel … as well as encouraging travel and exploration beyond Tallinn’s borders into the countryside and villages of Estonia. He does make brief mention of some “kitchy-ness” in the Old Town, but makes certain to stress that, even though it is noticeable in places, it does not distract from its beauty and splendor. He does state that the pricing of most things is fair and not exorbitant.
Throughout the countryside one can find quaint family-style eateries and accommodations available in old manor houses; he specifically mentions the Vihula Manor house. He finds the Estonians’ balance between the drive for progression and the need for preservation – the local forests sprawl over more than half of the country – most admirable.
Farber also mentions the importance of and deep relationship with music which Estonia has, both, culturally and historically, speaking quite knowledgeably about “The Singing Revolution”… etc.
He ventures to say that Estonians’ historic resistance has much to do with its current role in technology and that the people retained their own language and patriotisim throughout the occupation years. Also that lately Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime has been sending ships into the Baltic for intimidation purposes. To gather a more historic picture, it recommends a visit to the Museum of Occupation.
For the author, the exchange between the natural world and the technological in Estonia is underscored by a quote from Aman Kumar, a young American from Silicon Valley: “This is truly the little country that could.”
