Place

Estonia is very different than the United States. That being said, their food is also very unique to their country and culture. One example of this is rye bread. During WWI, food was very scarce, and many countries in this area had either no bread or this rye bread, commonly dubbed “black bread”. Made from rye flour, unsweetened coca powder, and brown sugar, this bread is very common and can be found in most supermarkets.

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Another popular food in Estonia is called semla. A pastry made from a wheat bun and whipped cream, semla is most commonly eaten during the months February and March, on the moving holiday called Vastlapäev.

Aspic is also a popular food in Estonia. Old and traditional, aspic is made from a mixture of meat, rind, totters, and hocks. Cooked for a long time then left to cool, aspic ends up becoming a savory jelly.

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Food is not the only thing that sets Estonia apart from us. Language is very different in Estonia. After the country gained their independence from Russia in the early 1990s, Estonian became the country’s only official language. About 2/3 of Estonians know Estonian, while 1/3 speak Russian. Some minority languages in Estonia include Ukrainian and Hebrew.

Religion, however, is not so different. Though Estonia doesn’t have an official religion, Evangelical Lutheranism is the most dominant in the country, followed by Orthodox Christianity. These religions were introduced in the thirteenth century by the Teutonic Knights. Other minority religions in Estonia are Roman Catholics, Baptists, and Methodists, and Pentecostalism.

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Holidays and festivals in Estonia are unique to its country and history. One holiday is called Day of Tallinn, and is celebrated on May 15. It honors the birth of one of Estonia’s most beautiful and historic European capitals, Tallinn.

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One of the most popular festivals in Estonia is called Ollesummer. Celebrated all through July, this beer festival is held alongside many of the country’s musical events. Beer overflows and local groups preform all throughout the month.

Estonia has many different famous landmarks, both physical and man-made. One physical landmark is Lahemaa National Park, in northern Estonia. It was founded in 1971 in order to protect the area’s biodiversity, landscapes, and natural culture. Lahemaa National Park is a beautiful place to visit and is highly advised for people visiting the area.

Image result for lahemaa national park estonia Image result for lahemaa national park estonia

Toompea Castle is an excellent example of a man-made landmark in Estonia. Inhabited by the many rulers of Estonia, the castle has been molded and changed to fit the taste of each and every ruler, creating a beautiful historic landmark. It was first made in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Image result for toompea castle estonia Image result for toompea castle estonia

 

Sources

https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/top-10-unique-estonian-foods-to-try

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/european_languages/countries/estonia.shtml

https://photius.com/countries/estonia/society/estonia_society_religion.html

https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/europe/estonia/festivals-and-events

https://www.visitestonia.com/en/lahemaa-national-park-and-information-point

https://www.visitestonia.com/en/toompea-castle