Estonian names remain in the forefront of cyber security, as demonstrated by the launch of the Tallinn Manual 2.0 on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Operations. The new volume was introduced this month at the Atlantic Council by members of the international team of experts that helped create it and other experts in the field. It’s a relevant and comprehensive work at a time when cyber issues have become a major national security consideration.

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Published: February 26 2017

I saw this rather unusual looking cake for the first time recently at our neighborhood supermarket Maxima, a Lithuanian chain. Among so many other incredibly fancy lihvitud / vuntsitud (polished) tortes in the kondiitri (pastry, confectionery) section, with each shiny sõstar (currant) placed just so – suddenly this beige mound!

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Published: February 24 2017

The Estonian American National Council (EANC) and the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) are stepping up their work on Capitol Hill in 2017 to raise awareness of issues affecting the Baltic region, to include the Baltic caucuses in each chamber of Congress and relevant legislation as it is introduced. They have already delivered more than 100 letters to new members of the House inviting them to join the House Baltic Caucus (HBC) and to returning HBC members thanking them for supporting the Baltics and highlighting legislation already introduced this year. Similar letters are planned for the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus in the coming weeks.

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Published: February 24 2017

Laur Joamets

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Published: February 24 2017

At 9 a.m. on February 15, more than 75,000 Estonian residents had already declared their taxes since the Tax Board started accepting declarations early on that morning.

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Published: February 24 2017

Presentation of the book with Leopold Brauneiss took place at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre on February 14. From left: Leopold Brauneiss, Arvo Pärt and editor and translator Saale Kareda.  Photo by Postimees

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Published: February 24 2017

You're dear (to me). Will you be my Valentine and stand on my mätas (chunk of sod / turf) alongside me? In matching socks? An Estonian's perspective is often described as being from oma mätta otsast – seen from atop his/her piece of sod.

Good thing there's the Suva soki/vabrik (sock factory) – since 1919! Otherwise you'd be hard pressed to find any sokid (socks) or põlv/sukad aka põlvikud (knee highs) with writing in Estonian, or sukad (stockings) reflecting the striped patterns of Estonian folk costume skirts and other traditional ornamentation. In recent years, Suva has produced sokid bearing animals of the Chinese lunar calendar.

Ahvi/aasta (the year of the monkey) comes to mind, from my own soki/sahtel (sock drawer) with a monkey face on the toes and the text "Ahvi järele!" (Monkey (mimic) me!). Special socks for Father's Day (the first Sunday in November in Estonia and the Nordic countries) are still for sale, such as Armsale issile (For my dear daddy) and Parim isa (the best father).

The original Suva factory building on Põhja puiestee in Tallinn by the Balti jaam train station is slowly being renovated as the new home of the Estonian Academy of Arts; the EKA Rauaniidi hoone (building). Designed by architect Eugen Habermann in 1926, it was one of the first examples of Functionalistic architecture in Estonia.

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Published: February 17 2017

Contact:  Linda Rink, EANC Executive Director: 215-546-5863, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Estonians in America, 1945-1995: Exiles in a Land of Promise,” was published by the Estonian American National Council last November. The hardcover book, edited by Priit Vesilind, has over 560 pages, and provides details and photos on the history and activities of Estonian refugees and their descendants, who came to the U.S. after Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union.  

The book has received very positive comments from readers – here is a sampling:
“To everyone involved in this book: KUDOS TO YOU ALL!! I received my copy very quickly last week and it's an absolutely beautiful book that I am so happy I ordered. My almost 96 year old mother, Juta Jarver, lives with us and is legally blind. It has become a nightly ritual for me to read sections of the book...It was a walk down memory lane… I just had to write to thank you for all the hard work on this book and I am hoping somebody will continue from 1995-2015? Thank you again for a wonderful treasure!” Tiina Jarver-Ers

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Published: February 17 2017