Events

Candlemas divides the winter in half and starts the cycle of women’s spring holidays. It was believed that candles cast on that day burn with the brightest flame. Candles from mutton fat and beeswax are made and Candlemas dishes are cooked on the farms. Kolu Inn offers red drink to assure rosy cheeks for the whole year.

Shrovetide is a merry holiday in the heart of winter, which is enjoyed by kids and grownups alike. A long sledge ride down the hill is a must for everyone to ensure good flax growth in the summer and wealth for the household. A proper Shrovetide always goes together with hearty pea soup, fluffy buns and spinning tops.

The builders from a successful kolkhoz building association in Southern Estonia celebrate their work anniversary, and thus have invited ladies from the Norma tin product factory in Tallinn to have a lively winter friendship party. Besides dancing to older and more modern disco beats from the 1960s – 1980s there will be performances by both parties and relay races arranged by the local organiser of cultural activities. The bar serves food and drinks.

Maslenitsa marks a holiday in the Orthodox Calendar celebrated during the last week before the 40-day Lent. It is accompanied by dancing and merrymaking, hearty meals and having fun in the snow. Throughout the week pancakes with different fillings are cooked at the Peipus-Russian dwelling. The culmination of the week is a Maslenitsa party held on February 29 where you can acquaint yourself with Shrovetide customs of different nationalities, play funny games, tell fortune and take part in trials of strength. The winter is sent away and spring welcomed by burning a ritual straw doll in the bonfire. Don’t miss the blinis, cookies, barankas and the samovar tea.

Maslenitsa marks a holiday celebrated during the last week before the Lent. It is accompanied by dancing and merrymaking, hearty meals and having fun in the snow.

Easter was popularly known as the ‘Egg holidays’, ‘Resurrection holidays’, ‘Swing holidays’ or ‘Spring holidays’. The Lent that had lasted since Shrove Tuesday would now come to an end and the folk would start eating meat again. However, this was not the case everywhere in Estonia. At the same time when the majority of people rejoice in the awakening of nature and the Resurrection of Jesus, tap Easter eggs and play holiday games, the Russian Old Believers and the Orthodox still obey the strict 40-day Lenten fast. Come and find out about the Easter and Lent traditions of different nationalities living in Estonia.

Throughout history, Midsummer’s Eve has been one of the most important and joyful holidays for Estonians. This is the time when the nature is at its most potent, and thousands of bonfires are lit all over the country to celebrate the onset of the summer and attract good luck. Midsummer bonfires have always been lit in Estonian villages regardless of the weather or political system.