Estonian Youth, Activisim and the Estonian Dream

On July 23, a group from the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn visited the Estonian Youth Council’s (EYC) opening day of Summer School in Olustvere. The program hosts approximately 100 to 200 Estonian youth activists every year, representing different youth organizations from the Eesti LGTB Uhing (Estonian LGTB Society) to the Eesti Skautide Uhing (Estonian Girls Scouts).

(Photo: Amb Levine with some organizers of the Estonian Youth Council./Aylin Erdogan)

U.S. Ambassador Levine, Estonian MP Kalle Palling and President of the Youth Council Reet Sillavee were the opening day guests. And while they had interesting things to say, it was discussions from the participants about the difference between an inactive adult and an engaged young adult and why it’s important for youth to be a part of decision-making process at the local or national level that made the panel more interesting for me.

One point they raised during the session was their take on public protests. Youth activists said that Estonians are actually polite people and even if they vent their frustration on a number of issues during social gatherings, they refrain from voicing negative opinions in public. It’s a stark contrast to what we’ve seen with Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street protests. But Palling, a young politician, shared his insights on youth participation in Estonian politics, saying Estonia is doing a fair job encouraging young adults to be active in politics. They currently have six members under 30 in the parliament, something that is different from the U.S.

(Photo: Amb Levine, Estonian MP Kalle Palling and President of the Council Reet Sillavee discusses youth activism in Estonia and USA./Aylin Erdogan)

In America, we see many young people in high school or college take an active part in political campaigns. We also see those who succeed in campaigning later heading to work in Congressional offices in Washington D.C and in their districts—and indeed, nearly 60 percent of Congressional staffers are between 20-35. However, when we look at executive offices, we see that older folks have a more direct hand in the in the governmental decision-making process. 

Still, I think that youth activism has always had a positive impact on American society.  In my school, SUNY Buffalo, for instance, students’ protested an increase in college tuition and student activity fee. The action influenced State Senators to negotiate with the SUNY administration and reduce the 5 percentage increase SUNY was aiming for to 2 percentage.  We heard from our Estonian peers that the youth council in Rapla was able to raise their voice and influence the mayoral election in the city.

The second part of the event was dedicated to a smaller discussion session on the “Estonian Dream” with Ambassador Levine, Assistant Public Affairs Officer Menaka Nayyar and about 20 Estonian youth. I was looking forward to this discussion to hear what Estonian youth had to say about what the Estonian Dream is or whether it has ever existed. In the past, the Estonian dream was freedom and that one common vision united Estonians. But now that freedom has been achieved, and after the economy started to decline, with young people finding more opportunities in other countries, the Estonian youths at the meeting said they feel as if the Estonian dream doesn’t exist anymore.  Still, they added that it’s important for them not to lose their identity no matter where they are or what language they speak. Estonia is now more open to world cultures, but young adults want the world to know Estonia too. 

(Photo: Amb. Levine and APAO Menaka Nayyar discuss the Estonian Dream with EYC members./Aylin Erdogan)

Thank you to all Estonian Youth Council members for sharing their thoughtful insights with us and the Summer School organizers for giving such a talented group of young people an opportunity to get together and share their voices!

-Post by Aylin Erdogan

Estonain Hockey Sticks Go Global

While this hot July in Estonia may have everyone headed to the beach, Estonians will soon start thinking about (or maybe dreading) the return of the dark, cold nights of Estonian winters.  However, one of the bright spots of the return of colder weather is the onset of hockey season.

Estonian hockey – in a sense – is making its mark globally. At the Sochi Olympics, equipment from Frontier Hockey OÜ, Estonia’s homegrown hockey stick manufacturer, made it to the quarterfinals. It’s the favored brand of Latvian goalkeeper Kristers Gudļevskis. He made an epic 55 saves out of 57 shots to keeps the Latvians in the mix against the eventual champion Canada.

Embassy staffers visited Frontier this week to check out their production line and hear about their growing export business to America. Currently, over 10 percent of their hockey sticks are exported to the United States.

(Photo: U.S. Embassy staffers meet with Mr. Imre Taveter and talk hockey sticks.)

Frontier Hockey specializes in goalie sticks—they produce standard sticks as well— and the company has supplied Gudlevskis, a former player for the Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as Finnish and other European professionals.  Company founder, Imre Taveter, grew up playing hockey and loves the sport for its team building qualities and diligent group effort. Mr. Taveter started the company to take advantage of the fine craftsmanship, superior wood, and winter sports traditions found in Estonia. The Pärnu factory churns out thousands of quality hockey sticks throughout the year.

We thank  Imre for showing us around the factory and letting us take a couple of shots with the sticks. And we wish him the best of luck as he continues to expand globally, showing the world the quality of Estonian made hockey sticks. 

-Post by Will Ziesing

Folk Music Comes Out in Force at the Viljandi Folk Festival

Play. That’s the theme of this year’s Viljandi Folk Festival, which starts on Thursday and lasts through Sunday.  It’s a fitting theme because it’s not just about playing music, but the playful feeling many get when they go to a music festival like this, including many of us at the embassy.

One appeal of the Viljandi Folk Festival is that it exposes music fans not only to traditional Estonian or regional folk music, but to a variety of styles from around the world, including the United States.  U.S. Embassy Tallinn has supported the festival regularly over the past 10 years and we are proud to help bring the Grammy-nominated U.S. group Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole to this year’s festival!

In the past, festival organizers have facilitated programs with other U.S. performers in Viljandi, including master classes from visiting U.S. experts.  The Viljandi Culture Academy has become a popular destination for U.S. Fulbright scholars and students, hosting three in recent years.  And as a sign of Viljandi’s growing partnership with the U.S. Embassy, the mayor, Ando Kiviberg hosted “Viljandi America Days” this past March.

(Photo: Performers from last year's Viljandi Folk Festival.)

Ando Kiviberg was the former artistic director of the Viljandi Folk Festival and worked for 20 years to promote the advantages of bringing a music festival to a small and quiet town.  Thanks to his efforts, Viljandi is now Estonia’s folk culture capital and over the past 22 years ago the Viljandi Folk Festival has become one of the largest and most beloved summer events in Estonia and in the Nordic region. 

Have a fun, music-filled weekend! See you in Viljandi!

A Bird's Eye View of Wind Power in Estonia

This week Ambassador Levine realized a small dream: going to the top of an 85m clean energy producing wind turbine. Along with members of the Political/Economic section of the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, the Ambassador visited the a Nelja Energia’s wind farm in Paldiski, where 18 GE Wind Energy electric turbines produce 67 gigawatt hours per year, enough to meet the needs of 20,000 Estonian families of average energy consumption.

The tour began with a scenic drive through the wind farm to meet with Martin Kruus, the Chairman of the Board of Nelja Energia, and Erkki Kallas, the Production Manager of Nelja Energia, to get more information on wind energy in Estonia and the Paldiski wind farm in particular. We were excited to learn that 6 percent of Estonia’s electricity is supplied by wind farms such as the one in Paldiski.

(Photo: Ambassador Levine at the wind farm, getting ready to climb the turbine and then at the top.)

After the meeting, we were all outfitted with a safety harness, gloves, and escorted to the top of the windmill by one of the windfarm’s mechanical maintenance specialists. The ascent was a bit more physical than expected and required us to climb a long ladder before reaching the tiny, rickety elevator that would bring us the rest of the way to the top, but the view was certainly worth the effort.

(Photo: Laura on the wind turbine.)

Those of us who got to learn about wind energy in Estonia, and travel to the top of the wind turbine wish to extend our gratitude to Sigrit, Martin, Errki and everyne else at Nelja Energia for making this trip possible. It was truly and unforgetable experience.

-Post by Laura Kincaide

World Refugee Day

There are over 51 million refugees and internally displaced people around the world, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and they need your help. The UNHCR and other NGOs provide lifesaving assistance and protection to 34 million refugees. But even with that aid, one fact remains important:

• 1 refugee family without sehlter is too many

The number of asylum seekers in Estonia has been quite low compared to other EU countries. That might be the reason why studies show that the general public is not aware of this issue and that the subject has not been a priority. However, Estonia has worked on issues related to refugees.
Activities of the Estonian Refugee Council can be divided into three broad categories:

• assistance with cultural, social and labor market integration of refugees;
• raising public awareness on refugee issues in Estonia;
• Advocacy work and representation of refugee interest.

Don’t be indifferent. There are many ways you can get involved and spread the word about refugees on World Refugee Day (June 20) and beyond. Choose the ones that are right for you!

Post by Dmitri Lipovski