New York’s Times Square gave a grand welcome to the Estonian business delegation, led by Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, in the morning of December 12, 2014.

The delegation also visited Nasdaq, the largest stock exchange in the United States.  Photo by Siiri Lind.

Riigikogu has approved an amendment that reverses the permissive open container law that took effect this summer.

The amendment passed with 69 votes in favor and one against.

Seven MPs remained neutral.

The law now once again forbids alcohol consumption in public places, unless stated otherwise.

Local municipalities can elect to allow public drinking in specified locations.

The amendment passed on December 17, is a reversal of the much-maligned surprise decision to allow public consumption of alcohol in most places nationwide from July 1.

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Published: December 24 2014

Vice President Joe Biden met with Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas in the White House on December 10, 2014.  Photo by U.S. Embassy Tallinn

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Published: December 16 2014

New York Estonian Mixed Choir after the Christmas concert at the NY Lutheran Church on Lexington and 88th Street. Photo by Al Brownell

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Published: December 16 2014

Many of us carry fond memories of Järvemetsa in our hearts.

For decades, guides and scouts, brownies and cub scouts, leaders and friends have walked those sandy paths, teaching and learning forest skills, Estonian songs, handicrafts, scouting knowledge…and getting into some memorable mischief as well.

The organization Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Estonian Youth (FAAEY), known in Estonian as Eesti Skautide ja Gaidide Sõprade Seltside Liit USAs (ESGSSL) has been the guardian of our Lakewood campsite.

This year marks its 60th year of existence.

The FAAEY was launched  with a meeting that took  place on Dec. 27, 1953 at the New York Estonian House. The statutes and officers were approved at a special meeting on Sept. 5, 1954 at the Lakewood Estonian House.

Aleksander Prima was elected chairman and V. Gutman, M. Mäekask, gdr M. Lannus, H. Keerdoja and J. Laine  as board members.

Representatives from the regions that had organized Estonian guide and scout troops were also asked to join. At that time, the Federation’s most pressing assignment was to find and purchase a permanent campsite for Estonian youth. After intensive searching and discussions, it was decided to purchase 27 acres at the campsite we know and love today, with the acquisition taking place on May 22, 1956.

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Published: December 09 2014

From December 1, 2014, Estonia became the first country in the world to offer foreigners e-residency. Senior editor for The Economist magazine, Edward Lucas, is now the country's first e-resident.

According to Taavi Kotka, the Deputy Secretary General on ICT at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the aim of the project is to make Estonia a more visible in the world and attract more businesses to the country.

"Estonian citizens are able to perform nearly every public and private sector transaction in digital form, including signing any document. Until now, this ability has not extended to foreigners who are permanent residents of countries other than Estonia," he said.

Foreigners are the target market for the secure Estonian e-identity card. According to Kotka, e-residency would hopefully attract more business people to associate with Estonia.

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Published: December 09 2014

What can you pick up from a local kohvik on your way to work in Tallinn? From the Reval Café on Müüri/vahe tänav ("Between the (town) walls" Street) in Tallinn's vanalinn (old town), you can grab along a glorious kilu/või/leib among other things.

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Published: December 09 2014

A highly successful International Christmas Market was held at the Chicago Eesti Maja (CEM). Nearly 400 people passed through the seven-hour event held on the first cold weekend of the season. It consisted of approximately 40 vendors selling their wares while numerous groups provided live entertainment. It was perhaps the most activity at CEM in a decade. At its peak there were over 100 cars parked on the Estonian House property.

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Published: December 02 2014

Arne Kalm: Notes For Panel Discussion
Estonians in America: Past, Present and Future
EANC, Stamford, CT  - Sat. Sept. 27, 2014

Introduction

I am delighted to participate on this panel and plan to devote most of my allotted time to a  historical review of past political activities in the broader Estonian community in the U.S. – what we in Estonian have usually called “välisvõitlus”. This is where I have been active over the years and can give you an extensive summary based on personal observation.

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Published: December 02 2014