On August, 20th, Estonia celebrated the 26th anniversary of its reindependence, known as taas/ise/seisvusmis/päev (Reindependence Day). It landed on püha/päev (Sunday) this year, which meant no extra day off work... But happily, that will not be the case for the next 4 years. On that day, we also happened to be celebrating a mere mortal's sünni/päev (birthday) and guests brought tokens of appreciation aka kingitused (gifts), including this söödav kimp (edible bouquet) from their backyard in the Kassisaba (Cat's Tail) neighborhood of Tallinn.

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Published: August 30 2017

Participants in the JBANC meeting with the State Department Baltic team. From left: Anna Udre, Julia Lazdins, Chris Evans, Karin Shuey, Ausma Tomsevics, Carol Werner, Henry Gaidis, Ian Campbell, Karl Altau, Peter Blumberg. Photo courtesy of JBANC.

Estonian American National Council representatives joined Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) colleagues for a briefing from the Department of State (DoS) Baltic team on Friday, August 11th. The newly appointed Director of Nordic and Baltic Affairs, Ian Campbell, and desk officers for Latvia, James Lovell, and Lithuania, Carol Werner, shared their insights on policy and current and upcoming events relevant to U.S.-Baltic relationships.

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Published: August 21 2017

A term that might be useful whilst in laager. This particular introduction hails from the Jõekääru söögi/saal (dining hall) in Ontario last suvi (summer).

Tüng is a colloquial (kõnekeelne) expression for altvedamine or having the rug pulled out from under you. If you are the prankster: sa teed kellelegi tünga aka altvedamine, you tugged the rug, so to speak. If you yourself are pranked, sa SAAD tünga aka alt/minemine – you went blindly under the limbo bar and fell victim. Sind tõmmati alt you were tugged, right on your backside.

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Published: August 21 2017

Vice-President Pence. Photo: Scanpix

«President Donald Trump sent me here to say: we are with you. We stand with the people and nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and we always will.» Three relieved Baltic Presidents were standing behind U.S. Vice-President Pence, when he spoke these reassuring words on 31 July, on the second day of his visit to Tallinn.

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Published: August 16 2017

Driverless buses in Tallinn. Photo by ERR

Introduced as part of the Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU, Easymile driverless buses began operating a limited route in Central Tallinn just after noon on Saturday, July 29. The shuttles are  scheduled to remain in service through the end of August.

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Published: August 14 2017

Dr. Erik Kissa, renowned chemist, internationally recognized photographer, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away July 11, 2017 at the age of 94.

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Published: August 14 2017

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser met with Rep. Edward Royce (R-Calif.) on Tuesday. Aug. 8, 2017. Source: (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser (SDE) on Tuesday met with U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Edward Royce (R-Cali.), with whom he discussed partnership relations and security issues.

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Published: August 16 2017

NOTICE: The Estonian American National Council will hold its annual meeting on November 11-12, 2017,  at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The meeting is open to all interested parties, but prior registration is required and space is limited.

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Published: August 14 2017