Comenius project 2011-2013 Different cultures similar people.

Unity in Diversity

Estonian Calendar

* The proverb representing our country * Photos of four seasons in Estonian proverbs * A monument/building that representing Estonian culture * A famous person of Estonia * A famous painting * A great religious festival in our culture * The months and days in Estonian and their translations in English.

Estonia is a small country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. Its capital is Tallinn, which is right on the northern coast, near Helsinki, Finland. Its population is 1, 5 million and the national official language is Estonian, which varies in dialects in different parts of the small country. Russian is also widely spoken. Estonia is now a multi ethnic country. It is home for more than 36 nationalities; the biggest of them are Russians, Ukrainians, Belo Russians, Finns and so on. Estonia is positively surprising. Estonian language is rich in proverbs and they show the wisdom of people living in Estonia. The following proverb represents the character of most people of Estonia. The Estonian people are hard working but are not quick in actions. "Kiire t - koos vigu tis". It means:" Quick work is with flaws." Haste makes waste.

Estonia in photos of four seasons and in proverbs

The climate in Estonia is different in each season. In the winter the average temperature is -2 degrees (Celsius) but it may sink to -25 degrees, usually in January or February. Estonian summer can be hot reaching +30 degrees. Autumn is short, rainy and windy. Spring time is quick and warm.

Winter Talved klmad, kuid teretulnud on soojad. It means: Winters are cold, but the welcome is warm.

Spring
Kes kevadel laisk, see kogu aasta laisk. It means: Who is lazy in spring is lazy the whole year.

Summer
Mida kibedam higi suvel, seda magusam leib talve. It means: It is bitter sweat in summer and sweet bread in winter.

Autumn
Sgisel on suve silmad, aga talve hambad. It means: Autumn has summer eyes but winter teeth.

Monuments that represents Estonian culture.

In 2011 Tallinn was European Capital of Culture. Tallinn can be divided into two parts, the old and the new part. Old Tallinn is just like a museum. The centre of Old Tallinn - Toompea - is especially rich in historical monuments. The Tallinn Town Hall just beside Toompea is one of the most important historical monuments in Estonia. Town Hall was first mentioned in 1322 and nowadays it is the only one left in the Baltic countries. The Old Town of Tallinn is just like a museum. Its golden age blossomed from the early 15th century to the middle 16th century. Medieval buildings and sacred structures have been preserved nearly unchanged. For this unique architectural layering Tallinns Old Town has earned a place in the UNESCOs World Heritage lis.

Toompea

A famous person of Estonia

Lydia Emilie Florentine Jannsen, (24.12.1843 1.08.1886), known after her pen name Lydia Koidula was an Estonian poet.

A famous painting of Estonia

Johann Kler (8.08.1826 22.04.1899)

Estonian painting and sculpture was born in the second half of the XIX century. Johan Khler is the founder of the Estonian art. The best-known works of Kohler are "Spinner", "Wake up on witchcraft" and the portrait of Fr. R. Kreutzwald.

"Spinner"

A great religious festival in our culture

Since the 16th century, Estonia has been a predominantly protestant (Lutheran) country. Orthodox Christianity is the second largest faith, with eighty congregations and about 15,000 members in 1992. Forty-three Orthodox congregations are Estonian, twentyfive are Russian, and twelve are mixed.

Easter Procession

Easter in the Lutheran church of St. Paul in Tartu

Months and days in Estonian and their translations in English

Days of the week Monday- Esmaspev (primary day) Tuesday - Teisipev (the other day) Wednesday- Kolmapev (the third day) Thursday- Neljapev (the fourth day) Friday - Reede- the day before the weekend Saturday- Laupev (Lau day) Sunday- Phapev (Holy day) Months of the year January- jaanuar February - veebruar March - mrts April - aprill May - mai June - juuni July - juuli August- august September - september October - oktoober November- november December - detsember