estonian world

Anu Põder's sculptures take centre stage at Sweden's Moderna Museet A major exhibition of the late Estonian artist Anu Põder has opened at Sweden's Moderna Museet in Malmö, bringing her unconventional sculptures to an international audience before travelling to Stockholm and Finland. Põder, who died in 2013 at the age of 66, was known for her unconventional use of everyday materials and her exploration of the human body, memory and vulnerability. Working with everything from plaster and textiles to wax, plastic, soap and fat, she created sculptures that challenged traditional ideas about form, permanence and the relationship between art and the body. The exhibition, her first solo presentation in Sweden, brings together around 20 works borrowed from the Art Museum of Estonia, the Tartu Art Museum and the Anu Põder Estate. Continue reading Anu Põder's sculptures take centre stage at Sweden's Moderna Museet at Estonian World.

Jaak Treiman: how Estonia's presidents have made a small country heard After four decades as Estonia's honorary consul, Jaak Treiman reflects on how the country's presidents have built its influence abroad – each in a distinctly different way. I have served as Estonia's honorary consul for the past 40 years. From that vantage point, I have observed how the country's presidents, from Lennart Meri to Alar Karis, have shaped its international image and influence. Although Estonia's president has domestic responsibilities, the head of state's principal duties lie in the international arena, protecting and advancing the country's interests within the international community. That is a formidable task for anyone representing a nation of just 1.3 million people, especially in today's multipolar reality where Great Power politics is ascendant. Continue reading Jaak Treiman: how Estonia's presidents have made a small country heard at Estonian World.

Amir Naser Hojati: EstLink 2 exposed a gap in Europe's infrastructure resilience The six-month outage of the Estonia–Finland power link showed that resilience depends on more than spare equipment: Europe must be able to restore essential services before further failures deepen the damage, writes Amir Naser Hojati, a futures trader and fintech entrepreneur. The spare cable was ready. The ship was not. When a ship's anchor damaged EstLink 2, the 650-megawatt electricity link between Finland and Estonia, on Christmas Day 2024, its operators faced a costly choice. They could wait for a specialist cable-laying vessel, potentially until late 2025, or adapt a construction vessel to restore the connection sooner. Continue reading Amir Naser Hojati: EstLink 2 exposed a gap in Europe's infrastructure resilience at Estonian World.

Jonatan Vseviov sets out a new vision for Estonia, but difficult questions remain Jonatan Vseviov, a former secretary general of Estonia's foreign ministry who left his post to join the Social Democratic Party and run for a seat in the parliament, wants Estonia to become a more influential European power, revive its economy and strengthen social security; his first major political speech offered an ambitious programme, but left its financing and implementation largely unexplained. On 22 October, Vseviov announced that he was leaving his post as secretary general of Estonia's foreign ministry to join the Social Democratic Party and run for a seat in the Estonian parliament. His departure took effect on 1 November, ending a lengthy career at the highest levels of Estonia's diplomatic and defence establishment. Continue reading Jonatan Vseviov sets out a new vision for Estonia, but difficult questions remain at Estonian World.

Estonian-American composer Lembit Beecher turns family memory into music Estonian-American Lembit Beecher grew up speaking Estonian with his mother and English with his father; now the composer, pianist and animator draws on family stories of migration and homeland, bringing them into music that will be heard in Toronto, Canada, and at the Arvo Pärt Centre in Estonia. When Dear Mountains receives its Canadian premiere at Toronto's Koerner Hall on 20 November, the music will move between archival recordings, family testimony and imagined scenes of life across a scattered Armenian diaspora. The 42-minute oratorio was commissioned and first performed by Cantori New York in 2024. Continue reading Estonian-American composer Lembit Beecher turns family memory into music at Estonian World.

Estonia's Pipedrive to cut 70% of local workforce as AI disrupts its business model Estonian-founded software unicorn Pipedrive is preparing to eliminate 267 jobs in Estonia and close offices elsewhere in Europe, in a sweeping restructuring that raises questions about the future of traditional software businesses, the company's growth prospects and the intentions of its American private equity owner. Pipedrive, one of Estonia's most prominent technology success stories, announced the largest restructuring in its 16-year history on 29 October, with plans to significantly reduce its global workforce, management structure and office network. According to the Estonian business newspaper Äripäev, the company plans to cut 219 positions in Tallinn and 48 in Tartu, equivalent to 70 per cent of its 380 employees in Estonia. Continue reading Estonia's Pipedrive to cut 70% of local workforce as AI disrupts its business model at Estonian World.

Updated: a delivery robot runs a red light in Tallinn, Estonia, injuring bus passengers A delivery robot ran onto a pedestrian crossing against a red light in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on Monday evening, leaving up to nine bus passengers injured after the driver braked sharply. The robot entered a crossing against the lights, forcing a bus driver to brake sharply; Starship Technologies, the company behind the delivery robots, has opened an investigation and changed their route. The incident happened at the junction of Luise and Tehnika streets in the city's Kristiine district. The robot was travelling from Tehnika Street when it entered the crossing, according to Tallinn City Transport. Continue reading Updated: a delivery robot runs a red light in Tallinn, Estonia, injuring bus passengers at Estonian World.

A delivery robot runs a red light in Tallinn, Estonia, injuring nine bus passengers A delivery robot ran onto a pedestrian crossing against a red light in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on Monday evening, leaving up to nine bus passengers injured after the driver braked sharply. The robot entered a crossing against the lights, forcing a bus driver to brake sharply; Starship Technologies, the company behind the delivery robots, has opened an investigation and changed their route. The incident happened at the junction of Luise and Tehnika streets in the city's Kristiine district. The robot was travelling from Tehnika Street when it entered the crossing, according to Tallinn City Transport. Continue reading A delivery robot runs a red light in Tallinn, Estonia, injuring nine bus passengers at Estonian World.

Estonia to liberalise its firearms' policies The Estonian parliament recently adopted amendments to the Weapons Act that that simplify procedures concerning the acquisition, possession and use of firearms while reducing the administrative burden on both gun owners and businesses; this is the first step in liberalising the Estonian firearms' policies. The Weapons Act and the Explosives Act were amended with the aim of enhancing public safety, improving oversight of firearms handling, ensuring the reliability of registries and data protection, reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and supporting national defence readiness and the public's willingness to defend the country. The country's interior minister, Igor Taro, said that Estonia's current situation regarding firearms and their use is already satisfactory, but the country's laws have remained unchanged for too long and have failed to keep pace with developments in the surrounding environment. Continue reading Estonia to liberalise its firearms' policies at Estonian World.

Estonia has the freest internet in the world According to the Freedom on the Net 2026 index, compiled by Freedom House, Estonia has the freest internet in the world. In this year's index, Estonia scored 91 points out of the possible hundred, making it the freest internet ahead of Costa Rica, Taiwan, Australia and France. Most countries in Europe – and in the world, for that matter – haven't been assessed in this year's index, including Finland, Latvia and Lithuania. Freedom House said it paused coverage of 34 countries in this edition the index, and the 38 countries covered were selected to assess a range of environments across geography, regime types and types of internet controls. Continue reading Estonia has the freest internet in the world at Estonian World.

Estonia joins Europe's top tier for knowledge-intensive jobs An estimated 9.9 per cent of Estonia's working-age population is employed in sectors such as technology, advanced services and the creative industries; the figure puts the country close to Europe's leaders, though the 2026 ranking is based partly on estimates. Estonia is among a small group of European countries where about one in ten working-age adults is employed in knowledge-intensive businesses, according to a new index. The 2026 Geography of Europe's Brain Business Jobs Index, produced by the European Centre for Entrepreneurship and Policy Reform, or ECEPR, with support from Nordic Capital, estimates the share in Estonia at 9.9 per cent. Continue reading Estonia joins Europe's top tier for knowledge-intensive jobs at Estonian World.

Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week 26 October 2026 – 1 November 2026 Not sure where to be this week? Every week, in partnership with Gamma, we present a hand-picked selection of the five most compelling events taking place in and around Tallinn – it's time to plan your week with purpose. AWARË Sound Journey Kultuurikatel, Tallinn Wednesday, 28 October, from 7pm AWARË grew out of a creative friendship and is built on close harmonies, purposeful silences and an enveloping atmosphere. Continue reading Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week at Estonian World.

Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week 26 October 2026 – 01 November 2026 Not sure where to be this week? Every week, in partnership with Gamma, we present a hand-picked selection of the five most compelling events taking place in and around Tallinn – it's time to plan your week with purpose. AWARË Sound Journey Kultuurikatel, Tallinn Wednesday, 28 October, from 7pm AWARË is a musical project born from creative friendship, built around intertwined harmonies, silence used as intentionally as sound and an immersive atmosphere that asks nothing of its audience except presence. Continue reading Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week at Estonian World.

The book that helped shape the Estonian language In 1739, the Bible was published in Estonian; it helped establish North Estonian as the dominant written standard and shaped the language that would become central to national identity. In 1739, a modest book appeared in Tallinn. Few people beyond Estonia are likely to have heard of it. It was called Piibli Ramat, roughly "Bible Book". It was neither the first religious text in Estonian nor the first attempt to write the language. But it was the first complete translation of the Bible into Estonian, with far-reaching consequences for the language and culture. Continue reading The book that helped shape the Estonian language at Estonian World.

Inside Estonia's "Siberia": how hidden spaces shape identity and belonging In Estonia's industrial east, basements, garages and dachas offer residents room to negotiate identity, memory and belonging; in The Future of Hiding, anthropologist Francisco Martínez explores these private worlds and challenges the idea of Estonia as a homogeneous society. Ida-Virumaa, Estonia's north-eastern region, has been shaped by oil shale mining, industrialisation, deportations and its position on the country's eastern frontier. It is also a place where questions of language, history and national identity can feel especially charged. In The Future of Hiding, Martínez draws on five years of research in the region to look beyond its familiar public image. Continue reading Inside Estonia's "Siberia": how hidden spaces shape identity and belonging at Estonian World.

Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week 19 October 2026 – 25 October 2026 Not sure where to be this week? Every week, in partnership with Gamma, we present a hand-picked selection of the five most compelling events taking place in and around Tallinn – it's time to plan your week with purpose. Make Immigrants Great Again Comedy Show Ratas&Kohv, Uus-Veerenni, Tallinn Thursday, 22 October, from 7pm Make Immigrants Great Again is an evening of stand-up comedy about identity, culture shock, belonging and the absurdity of navigating the world when you are perpetually from somewhere else. Continue reading Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week at Estonian World.

Estonia has the most competitive tax system in the OECD – again For the 13th year in a row, Estonia is the country with the most competitive tax code in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, according to the Tax Foundation's annual International Tax Competitiveness Index. Estonia's top score is driven by four positive features of its tax system. "First, it has a 22 percent tax rate on corporate income that is only applied to distributed profits. Second, it has a flat 22 percent tax on individual income that does not apply to personal dividend income," the Tax Foundation says. "Third, its property tax applies only to the value of land, rather than to the value of real property or capital. Continue reading Estonia has the most competitive tax system in the OECD – again at Estonian World.

Estonia gets its first Gap store The globally-known clothes brand Gap has opened its first store in Estonia, which is also its only standalone shop in Scandinavia and the Baltics. The American fashion brand opened its first store in Estonia on 15 October on the second floor of the Ülemiste shopping centre, covering almost 340 square metres (3,700 sq ft). The store sells Gap's women's, men's and kids' collections, including the brand's best-known basics such as jeans, logo sweatshirts, chinos and T-shirts. Estonian choreographer Ženja Fokin trying on a Gap hoodie. Photo by Kalev Lilleorg. Entering the Estonian market is part of Gap's broader strategy to strengthen its position in the Baltics and expand its reach in Europe. Continue reading Estonia gets its first Gap store at Estonian World.

NATO chief says there is no imminent military threat to alliance The secretary-general of NATO, Mark Rutte, urged Europe to strengthen its conventional defences and called for faster advances in drone and air defence technology during a lecture at Tallinn University of Technology, adding that NATO is facing no imminent miliary threat. However, Rutte did warn that Russia was intensifying hybrid attacks across Europe and remained a long-term danger to the alliance. "If there is a build-up, like there was before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, then we will see it and we will deal with it," Rutte told students and researchers at Tallinn University of Technology, known as TalTech. Continue reading NATO chief says there is no imminent military threat to alliance at Estonian World.

Estonia to lower the voting age for the EP elections Estonia will lower the minimum voting age for European Parliament elections from 18 to 16, while reducing the minimum age for candidates from 21 to 18; the changes will take effect in 2029. The Estonian parliament passed the amendment by 59 votes to 28. It lowers the voting age from 18 and the minimum age for candidates from 21. The right to vote and stand will apply to Estonian citizens and citizens of other EU member states who have permanent residence in Estonia. The amendment was first proposed in March 2024 by 45 MPs, who argued that young people should have a greater role in discussions and decisions on European issues. Continue reading Estonia to lower the voting age for the EP elections at Estonian World.

Skeleton Technologies valued at more than USD1 billion after Siemens-led investment Estonian energy-storage company Skeleton Technologies has reached a valuation of more than USD1 billion after a strategic investment led by Siemens, as it prepares to expand manufacturing and research in the United States to serve the fast-growing AI data-centre market. The companies did not disclose the investment's value or the terms of the deal. Skeleton chief executive Taavi Madiberk described it as a nine-figure round. The investment will support a planned expansion of US manufacturing, including domestic production of cells, and research and development in Silicon Valley. Powering the AI boom Skeleton said it planned to invest more than USD200 million in the US scale-up and research programme, working with hyperscalers – large cloud and computing companies – to develop power systems for AI data centres. Continue reading Skeleton Technologies valued at more than USD1 billion after Siemens-led investment at Estonian World.

Live: NATO chief Mark Rutte and Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal hold a press conference NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte and Estonia's prime minister, Kristen Michal, are due to hold a joint press conference at 12.25pm after talks on Ukraine and the future of the Alliance. He is due to meet the prime minister, Kristen Michal, at Stenbock House. The two leaders will discuss the future of the alliance and support for Ukraine before holding a joint press conference at 12.25pm. Michal said NATO's presence in the Baltic region could be seen in allied aircraft responding to airspace violations, ships deployed under Baltic Sentry and allied units serving on land. Continue reading Live: NATO chief Mark Rutte and Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal hold a press conference at Estonian World.

Ülle Madise takes office as Estonia's president with a call to rebuild trust Estonia's new president, Ülle Madise, used her first address to warn that fear, indifference and political hostility were corroding public trust, urging the country to stand behind Ukraine and give every child the chance of a good education. Madise was sworn in as Estonia's president on Monday, calling on the country to rebuild trust, stand firmly behind Ukraine and make sure every child has the chance of a good education. Madise took the oath of office before the Estonian parliament, pledging to defend the constitution and laws, exercise her powers justly and impartially, and fulfil her duties to the best of her ability. Continue reading Ülle Madise takes office as Estonia's president with a call to rebuild trust at Estonian World.

Ülle Madise takes office as Estonia's president with call to rebuild trust Estonia's new president, Ülle Madise, used her first address to warn that fear, indifference and political hostility were corroding public trust, urging the country to stand behind Ukraine and give every child the chance of a good education. Ülle Madise was sworn in as Estonia's president on Monday, calling on the country to rebuild trust, stand firmly behind Ukraine and make sure every child has the chance of a good education. Madise took the oath of office before the Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, pledging to defend the Constitution and laws, exercise her powers justly and impartially, and fulfil her duties to the best of her ability. Continue reading Ülle Madise takes office as Estonia's president with call to rebuild trust at Estonian World.

Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week 12 October 2026 – 18 October 2026 Not sure where to be this week? Every week, in partnership with Gamma, we present a hand-picked selection of the five most compelling events taking place in and around Tallinn – it's time to plan your week with purpose. Magnus Kirt: The Comeback Kai Art Center, Tallinn Monday, 12 October, from 6pm Magnus Kirt: The Comeback opening is introduced by director Steiv Silm and followed by a conversation between Silm and Magnus Kirt himself. Continue reading Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week at Estonian World.

The Estonian wooden beer tankard and the brew within When the landscape offers wood and brewing grain in abundance, what do Estonians do? Fashion the wood into tankards and fill them with fresh beer, of course. The Estonian wooden beer tankard, or õllekapp, is a fine example of rustic craftsmanship. Made from smoothly polished wooden staves, fitted together to form a cylinder and held in place by wooden hoops, it is a sight to behold. Better still, it is a pleasure to hold when filled with fresh beer and topped with a generous head of foam. Beer-loving admirers of practical art, sip and rejoice – this is the vessel for you. Continue reading The Estonian wooden beer tankard and the brew within at Estonian World.

From Finnish radio to Tottenham: Estonian jungle pioneer LU:K makes UK debut Virko Veskoja discovered Britain's emerging jungle scene through late-night Finnish radio and recreated its futuristic sound on homemade equipment in 1990s Estonia; more than three decades later, he is bringing the music back to its source. In early 1990s Estonia, Britain's rave revolution arrived after dark and at a distance. Virko Veskoja would tune into Finnish radio broadcasts carrying frantic breakbeats, weightless strings and sampled voices from the rapidly changing UK underground. It sounded unlike anything he had heard before: a new technological language, "like machines trying to communicate with people". For a young producer in a country emerging from Soviet occupation, the music opened a portal into another world. Continue reading From Finnish radio to Tottenham: Estonian jungle pioneer LU:K makes UK debut at Estonian World.

How Norway was able to arrest a Russian state-owned ship in Svalbard Norway's arrest of the Russian state-owned vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard raises a question of direct relevance to Estonia and its Baltic neighbours: could they legally take similar action closer to home? Marcello zur Mühlen examines the limits of coastal-state power. On 2 September, the Norwegian authorities seized the Russian state-owned vessel Professor Molchanov at the port of Barentsburg in Svalbard. The action followed an order issued by the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court at the request of Ukraine's state energy company, Naftogaz. In maritime law, this kind of detention is known as the arrest of a ship. Continue reading How Norway was able to arrest a Russian state-owned ship in Svalbard at Estonian World.

Estonia criticised over €261 million in idle venture funds Estonia transferred hundreds of millions of euros to state-backed venture capital funds before the money could be invested, leaving €261 million on deposit even as the finance ministry borrowed to cover day-to-day spending, the National Audit Office has found. Almost €466 million has been allocated from the state budget to funds managed by SmartCap, a subsidiary of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency. The audit office said the size and timing of the transfers had not been matched to the funds' investment needs. By the end of 2025, SmartCap's portfolio included investments in 17 companies and 16 sub-funds. Continue reading Estonia criticised over €261 million in idle venture funds at Estonian World.

How Estonia brought the white-tailed eagle back from the brink In less than half a century, Estonia's white-tailed eagle has risen from near-extinction to a population of about 300 breeding pairs; its return is one of Europe's most remarkable, yet little-known, conservation successes. On a winter morning beside Matsalu Bay, the silhouette may appear first: vast wings held above the steel-grey water, a short white tail and the measured wingbeats of a bird built to command the coast. Half a century ago, such a sight had all but vanished from Estonia. By the 1960s, decades of persecution, habitat loss and poisoning by organochlorine pesticides had pushed the white-tailed eagle to the brink of extinction. Continue reading How Estonia brought the white-tailed eagle back from the brink at Estonian World.