Stories about Estonia from August, 2008
Estonia: Setomaa
Itching for Eestimaa writes about a recent trip to Setomaa, “the southeastern most corner of Estonia, the home of the Orthodox, Finno-Ugric Setu people.”
Estonia: Olympics Champion; Song Festival
Itching for Eestimaa writes about an Estonian Olympics champion Gerd Kanter and last night's song festival that “served various functions”: “Ostensibly, it was a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the major events of the Singing Revolution. But it was also a celebration of independence on the eve of the...
Georgia War: Baltic Reactions
Baltic comments on the development of the Russo-Georgian war from the perspectives of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Estonia: The Russian Menace
In the shadow of the Russo-Georgian war, Babel Tallinn discusses the potential Russian threat to Estonia, the European Union, and the 2007 Russian-Estonian Bronze Soldier crisis.
Estonia: Fame in a Small Country
Vello Vikerkaar reflects on fame in a small country such as Estonia.
Georgia War: Georgia Will Join NATO
AnTyx claims that NATO Secretary General has expressed certainty of future Georgian NATO-membership, and continues to account for Estonian reaction to the conflict, concluding with the statement – quoting John McCain – “I am a Georgian”.
Georgia and Estonia: Small and Vulnerable States
Osteuropablog discusses (GER) the similarities between Georgia's and Estonia's international positions as small and vulnerable states, and also wonders what will happen to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russian Sochi – a city located near to the ongoing conflict in Georgia.
Georgia, Russia: Tbilisi Reports
Three bloggers who are currently in Tbilisi describe what life there has been like in the past few days. According to LJ user oleg_panfilov, everything is quiet in the Georgian capital this night, while tomorrow "there'll be plenty of politics," because presidents of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Ukraine are expected to descend on the city.
Georgia: Presidential Pilgrimage to Tbilisi
Osteuropablog [German] comments on reports about the presidents of Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania seek to make a common trip to Georgia to try to mediate in the Russian-Georgian conflict.
Estonia: Parallels between Estonia and Georgia
Itching for Eestima writes about the historical parallels between Estonia and Georgia and the fear of being invaded from the East, viz. by Russia.
South Ossetia: Estonian president on war in Europe
Suomalais-venäläinen kansalaisfoorumi posts a statement by the President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, declaring that war has broken out in Europe, and furthermore tells about a Russian ultimatum to Georgian forces in Abkhazia to lay down their arms or to be annihilated.
Estonia: Shopping Spree for Georgian Wines
AnTyx reports that customers in Estonia have gone on a shopping-spree for Georgian wines as an act of solidarity with Tbilisi.
South Ossetia: Russia Calls Baltic Appeal Cynical
Osteuropablog [German] reports that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister described the appeal for peace in South Ossetia by leaders of Poland, Estonia, Latva, and Lithuania as cynical.
South Ossetia: East European Leaders Condemn Russia
A Step At A Time reposted a joint statements by the leaders of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland condemning Russia's aggression against Georgia, in which they also call the Western position a “litmus-test for the credibility of the EU and NATO”. Moreover, they question the future of the EU strategic...
Estonia: WWII Book Review
Itching for Eestima posts a review of Eesti Legion – a photobook by ex Prime Minister Mart Laar on the Estonian Legion during the Second World War – and reflects on historical perceptions. Gedanken über Estland reports (GER) that the very same book was recently confiscated by German police as...
Estonia-US: Speeding tickets
cyrsfarivar.com compares the hustle of getting a speeding ticket in the US and Estonia, with the latter coming out on the positive side.
Estonia: City Spirits
Itching for Eestima compares the different spirit of the citizens of Estonia's two biggest cities – Tallinn and Tartu.
Estonia: Hemingway and Promotional Storytelling
Vello Vikerkaar advocates for the substitution of Estonia's inane slogan ‘Welcome to Estonia’ for a story worthy of Hemingway, who once said “In every port in the world, at least two Estonians can be found”.
Estonia: Review of the Singing Revolution
Babel Tallinn posts a review of the recent documentary The Singing Revolution (Laulev Revolutsioon) about the period 1986-1991, when Estonia – along with Latvia and Lithuania – gradually reconquered its independence.
Estonia: Inflated Real Estate Prices
Babel Tallinn writes about the long over-inflated real estate prices in Estonia, and the current crisis with falling prices in the sector.