Welcome to Wild Estonia Weekly

In this weeks edition:

Eaten enough over Christmas? Then let’s go skiing!

A farewell to the wild side of the Estonian Kroon.

This will be a historic week for Estonia as the new year brings with it change and some exciting events. Firstly, the currency will be switching from the Estonian Kroon to the Euro. In 2011 Tallinn will also share the title of European Capital of Culture with Turku in Finland and in July more than 20,000 young people will perform at the 11th Estonian Youth Song and Dance Festival

10 ways to experience wild Estonia on skiis

At Christmas time, Estonians love to ski and there are a number of ski resorts across the country that offer typical accommodation and access to well-trodden ski trails. However, for those who would like to get off the beaten path and experience the snowy side of life in our forests and wetlands, we suggest the following:

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Tour operators and guides

Heritage Tours- Based on Saaremaa, Estonia’s largest island, Heritage Tours can provide a range of specialised guided tours suited to your interests.

360.com- Adventure and nature tour specialists based around Tallinn, 360.com can provide guided tours and adventures close to Tallinn and other areas of Estonia.

Soomaa.com- Based in Soomaa National Park in south west Estonia, Soomaa.com can provide a range of specialised guided tours suited to your interests.

Reimann retked- Adventure tour specialists based in northern Estonia, Reimann retked can offer exciting trips in National Parks close to Tallinn.

Helen Luks Nature Hikes- Helen provides guided cross-country nature trips in Aegviidu-Kõrvemaa Recreation Area, which is close to Tallinn.

Accommodation with cross-country skiing available

Aasa Holiday House- Pärnumaa (Pärnu County)

Annemäe Holiday House- Võrumaa (Võru County)

Eha Farm Holiday House- Võrumaa (Võru County)

Toomihkli Farm B&B- Lääne-Virumaa (Lääne-Viru County)

Rabav.ee Holiday Village- Järvamaa (Järva County)

Farewell to the Wild Side of the Estonian Kroon

On Saturday 1st of January, Estonia will switch its currency from the Estonian Kroon to the Euro. Along with images of important citizens and buildings adorning the various denominations of kroon banknotes, images of trees, animals and landscapes important to Estonians also feature prominantly.

Estonia is rich in national symbols, official and unofficial, which are dear to its people. This love for symbolism may have its roots in the country’s history of foreign occupation and its determination to maintain its own language, culture and identity. All of Estonia’s national symbols are invested with the characteristics of survivors – strength, resiliance, toughness, agility, and hard work.

10 Kroon – Tamme-Lauri Oak (Võru County)

The oak tree (Quercus spp.) has been a symbol of strength to the Estonian people for thousands of years. They were sacred trees in pre-Christian times and are still somewhat revered in contemporary Estonian life. The 10 kroon banknote features the Tamme-Lauri Tamm (Tamme-Lauri Oak) which is thought to be the oldest and thickest tree in the country. Research suggests that it was planted sometime around the year 1326. The centre of the trunk is hollow and during restoration in the 1970’s an old hideout of the Forest Brothers resistance force was discovered.

25 Kroon – Vargamäe Village (Järva County)

The museum of Estonian author A.H. Tammsaare features on the 25 kroon banknote. This village and it’s surroundings are representative of the terrain and rugged agrarian cultural landscape of Tammsaare’s classic novel ‘Truth and Justice’. Along with natural landscapes and wilderness, ‘Semi-natural landscapes’ such as the Tammsaare farm in hilly, rocky and marshy Järva County are important places in Estonia as they can support very high levels of biodiversity and symbolise the ancient relationship between Estonian people and the land. The Estonian Seminatural Community Conservation Association works to protect these environments across the country.

100 Kroon – Baltic Klint

The rocky limestone cliffs of the North Estonian Klint are represented on the 100 kroon banknote. To Estonians they are one the most popular natural symbols of the country and occur along approximately 300km of the northern Estonian coastline. The limestone bedrock of these coastal landscapes also strongly influences the ecology and composition of many natural local plant communities. Many castles, churches, farm buildings, and countless stone fences have also been made of this limestone. Research on limestone and its well-preserved fossils has for centuries brought Estonian scientists international renown.

500 Kroon – Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

The barn swallow, the national bird, is a common guest of Estonian homes. Its call can be heard from practically every eave or barn rafter in the country. If the bird finds a suitable opening, under the ridge of a roof or a broken window, it will build its cup-shaped nest; it will even build it inside a house. These highly agile birds are said to represent freedom and happiness and the barn swallow was chosen as a national bird mainly as the result of a campaign conducted by ornithologists in the early sixties.

We hope you enjoyed this weeks edition of Wild Estonia Weekly!