Interesting Facts About Estonia That You Should Know

During a brief port stop in Estonia a few years ago, I had the opportunity to explore the country. (To be precise, Tallinn in Estonia) It’s a small country known for hosting the Laulupidu, one of the world’s largest choral events. I was only here for a few hours, but before arriving, I did extensive research on the country’s history and interests. Estonia, as I discovered, is a country full of adventures. Although most people speak Estonian or Uralic (a language related to Finnish), the language barrier may be a minor issue.

Boxing Day, Christmas, Independence Day, Pentecost, Whit Monday, Day of Restoration, Victory Day, Midsummer’s Day and Midsummer’s Eve are some of the best days to observe national celebrations. If your trip coincides with one of these special events, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience nationalism firsthand. Estonia’s coat of arms prominently features lions, but the country has no front-runner for the national animal. However, the national anthem is “Mu Isamaa, Munn Ja Rm,” the national flower is “Cornflower,” and the national bird is the “Barn Swallow.”

Tallinn, along with Tartu, Narva, Kohtla-Jarve, Parnu, Viljandi, Rakvere, Sillamae, Maardu, and Kuressaare, is one of the most populous cities in Estonia. Rye bread, pork, potatoes, and dairy products are the staple foods in Estonia. Beer and vodka are the most popular drinks. During my time in Estonia, I discovered that Estonians enjoy games and take pride in reinventing some of the world’s most popular sports. For example, a die-hard swing-set fan created an incredibly cool version that has since become the country’s most popular sport.

And how could I leave out Estonia’s well-known “Wife Carrying World Championship”? Despite its egalitarian nature, Estonia insists on producing skilled wife carriers. From Helsinki, Finland, I took a cruise to Estonia. During the flight, I struck up a conversation with one of the crew members, who casually mentioned that Estonia, with its 2,222 islands, borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. On our way from Finland to Estonia, we passed through several small islands. Estonia’s origins can be traced back to 6,500 BC.

Outside of the seas, Estonia’s lands are home to some of the best-preserved old towns, museums, and gothic culture in the world. Visit Tallinn’s TV Tower, which has an observation deck, while you’re there. Tallinn is a pollution-free city, which makes it a pleasure to visit. Tallinn’s Mayor extended free public transportation to the city’s registered residents to keep the city clean. The capital covered the initial costs, and the plan worked out beautifully, as expected. The majority of residents now take public transportation, so there are very few cars on the roads.

Estonia is also one of the world’s most tech-savvy countries. Estonia has been facilitating online voting since 2005 when it was still a concept for the rest of the world. But it’s mostly for security and political reasons. The Estonian government avoids double-dealing, ensuring the system’s stability. Estonia, I believe, is the only country where people have more faith in their government than in God. Now I understand why Estonia is the world’s fourth-least religious nation.

All said and done, I had a great time in Tallinn and would love to return to learn more about its culture. If visiting Estonia is on your bucket list, here are some basic phrases to learn before visiting the country.

To say “HI,” say, Tere.

For “YES,” say, Jah.

To say “NO,” say, Ei.

For “Excuse Me,” say, Vabandage.

To say “Help,” say, Appi.

For “Good morning” say, Tere Ohtust.

To say “Good night,” say, Head ööd.

For “Thank you,” say, Tänan Sind.

To say “How much is this?” say, Kui Palju See Maksab?

For “Sorry,” say, Anna Andeks.

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