WTC Greek Orthodox Church Opens With Work by Pärt

This fall, Arvo Pärt's a cappella choral work "O Holy Saint Nicholas" will be premiered in New York City.

The work will open the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center site.

The piece will be performed by Schola Cantorum, a Boston, Massachusetts-based choir, and conducted by Benedict Sheehan, an American conductor.

Saaremaa Island Women Open the Year of Vikings

A group of women from the island of Saaremaa climbed atop the mast of Estonia's oldest sailing ship the Hoppet, in folk costumes no less, to hoist a flag marking the opening of the island's Year of Vikings 2021.

More information on local viking history and up-coming events at visitsaaremaa.ee

Estonia Has Negative Birth Rate, but Immigration Increases Population

According to Statistics Estonia, on January 1, 2021, the population of Estonia was 1,330,068 or 1,179 more than a year earlier.

The population decreased by 2602 people, but the positive migration balance increased it by 3782 people.

13,209 children were born in Estonia last year, which is 890 less than a year earlier.

Last year, 15,811 people died, which is 410 more than a year earlier.

The number of deaths was slightly higher than in the previous ten years, when the annual number of deaths remained between 15,200 and 15,800.

"Harry Potter” Actor Filming in Estonia

The thriller "Burial", starring British actor Tom Felton, known for playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, began filming in Estonia last week.

It features several other well-known actors and is being co-produced by Ivo Felt of the Estonian film studio Allfilm.