Come and get it! Come and EAT! At the feeder (linnu söögi/maja) is a rasva/tihane, (literally suet or fat chickadee, due to its love of those foods in winter, offered by human friends). They are the most common and curious birds in Estonia and have also adapted well to urban life. Its name in British English is the rather unfortunate Great tit, since "tit" has been perceived as one of its many calls. One of its lesser known Estonian nicknames, kikitiits proves the latter. (It doesn't meaning anything, but is simply mimicking a call.) And how far is "kikitiits" from "chickadee"? A mere 3 wingspans of separation. Come spring, tihased living in Estonia are thought to say: sitsi/kleit! sitsi/kleit! (chinz dress). Must be another imperative (käskiv kõneviis) for males of the species. There are over 40 different sounds and calls (häälitsused) in the repertoire of these sulelised (feathery friends). Sulg; suled = feather/(s). A friend you feed is a friend indeed. The rasvatihane was Estonia’s 2016 bird of the year. In a few days, that title will be passed on to the turtel/tuvi, the European turtle dove. (eoy.ee)    Photo: Kristi Rebane. Text: Riina Kindlam, Tallinn

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Published: January 03 2017

The Christmas tree has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings in Northern Europe around one millennium ago, writes Euronews on December 20, 2016.

Each year communities the world over seem to be getting funkier with their firs. These days many are only loosely based on trees at all.

Like many other Christian customs, the concept of the Christmas tree is a hybrid of several ancient traditions and rituals.

Pagan peoples of northern Europe used the branches of evergreens during the winter solstice to remind them of the coming spring; the Romans decorated temples with fir trees for the festival of saturnalia and Christians used the evergreen pines to symbolize eternal life with God.

Where and when was the first Xmas tree?

Believe it or not, this is a hotly contested title which has caused a tree tug-of-war between Tallinn in Estonia and Riga in Latvia. Tallinn claimed to have erected a tree in 1441 and Riga in 1510.

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Published: December 25 2016

Magus uni (sweet slumber) is creeping up on this karu (bear) at the 11th annual Pipar/koogi/maania (Gingerbread mania) exhibition in Tallinn. It's carrying a kuusik (a forest of spruce trees) on its back.

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Published: December 25 2016

Senators John McCain (left) and Lindsey Graham (right).  Photo: ERR News

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Published: December 25 2016

The US and its allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are seeking to strike defense cooperation agreements before President Barack Obama leaves office in January, officials have told AFP.

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Published: December 25 2016

Logan Karr receives his gift from Jõuluvana (Erkki Taada).  Photos: Lisa A. Mets.  Floridaestos.wordpress.com

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Published: December 20 2016

The Estonian embassy hosted the Baltic ambassadors and Baltic American community representatives for the fourth quarterly JBANC-Baltic embassies meeting in December 2016.  The ambassadors updated us on their countries’ priorities and upcoming events and a productive exchange occurred on many relevant topics.  

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Published: December 20 2016

The only work of art at the 11th annual Pipar/koogi/maania (Gingerbread mania) exhibition in Tallinn not made of gingerbread was created with the help of the cybersphere. Called “Itsitav puu" (Giggling tree) and created by musician Taavi Tulev and his son Albert, you are instructed to "Pigista käbi!" (Squeeze a pine cone). "Selle peale hakkab naeru kostma" – " Then you will hear laughter. Every wire-enveloped käbi you hold in your hand triggers a different kind of laughing sound, all belonging to children. Definitely the feel-good hit of the exhibition – tuju/tõstja.   Photos and text: Riina Kindlam, Tallinn

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Published: December 20 2016