This purjekas made by 4th grader Tuule, made of a muna/rest (egg carton) turned out to be very laevatatav (navigable). Perfect weather, including the right amount of light wind, not to mention the shipbuilder's name (tuul = wind, tuule = of the wind / the wind's), carried this laevuke eastward from Soela sadam (harbor) on Saaremaa island's north shore across the Triigi-Sõru parv/laeva (ferry) line's route connecting Saaremaa and Hiiumaa island last Sunday. With the help of a camera's zoom lens, we could make out her little sail for almost 3 hours and hope someone receives the message written on her puri (sail): "Ma soovin, et Eestil oleks igavesti jõudu." (I wish that Estonia remains strong forever.)

During the period (not just one year!) of celebrating Estonia's centenary, everyone has the chance to offer Estonia a kingitus(gift) or partipate in a greater gift project www.ev100.ee/en/kingitused.

This spring, the 105 students currently enrolled in grades 1-5 of Tallinn's growing Kaarli Kool (School), each made a small paat (boat) or bolder ship (laev) ; a purjekas (sailboat), out of natural perishable materials, so they would not be a source of reostus (pollution) when they head out on the waters. Wishes or prayers for Eesti were written on their purjed (sails) and they were symbolically launched during the spring concert at Kaarli Kirik(church). Thereafter, every family will now choose kus (where) and millal (when) to launch their alused(vessels) of good wishes.

This tiny veini/pudeli/korgi (cork) boat, built by a second grader, tipped almost immediately. Here the soaring heroine Piret is attempting a launch in the waters of Soela väin (strait). Piret is the wife of legendary mythical Saaremaa vägilane (hero), hiid (giant) Suur Tõll. The 2 new ferries traveling between Saaremaa and mandri vahet (the mainland), are named Piret and Suur Tõll. The new ferries between the mainland and neighboring Hiiumaa are named after that island's mythical giant Leiger (brother of Suur Tõll) and his equally tall, strong wife Tiiu.

Photos and text:

Riina Kindlam