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editorial
T H E B A LT I C G U I D E ™ J U N E 2 0 1 7
Fire-jumping and white nights
I
f you happen to be in Tallinn for Midsummer, you’ll notice that there aren’t many Estonians around. Midsummer or St John’s Eve and St John’s Day are celebrated on June 23 and 24 in connection with the summer solstice, a day where the sun almost doesn’t set. Many locals leave for the countryside, to their cottages in the forest, by a lake, or to the beach. According to legend it is the night when the young girl Eha meets the young boy Koit. Eha means evening twilight and Koit morning twilight. On Midsummer’s night the two youngsters only meet for a short kiss, then they part and have to wait to meet for a whole year again! Midsummer’s Eve is celebrated outdoors and nobody goes to sleep. People gather, sing and dance. Activities are centred around a big bonfire and food is prepared
on a barbeque. There is also the tradition of jumping over the bonfire, which according to the legend is a guarantee for prosperity and to avoid bad luck. Others claim that it is a symbol for a connection with the past. But if you see one of these bonfires, you’d wonder how anyone could over something so big. The good fortune must come from not falling in! Where to celebrate? In Tallinn, Midsummer’s Eve, June 23 is celebrated at the Estonian Open Air Museum at Rocca al Mare with food, music, and dance. Midsummer’s Eve is equally celebrated in cities like Tartu, Pärnu, Kuressaare, and Haapsalu.
Contents
Happy travels!
Kristina Lupp, Editor-in-chief
restaurants 4 Restaurant news 22 Family Resto Gelato Ladies 6 Interview: Andres Kõpper NOËP
June events 01 ÕLLESUMMER Photo: Õllesummer
One of Estonia’s biggest summer festivals is the annual Õllesummer, which takes place from 5-8 July at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. Kasabian (UK) will take to the stage on opening day, Elka (RUS) on the Thursday, and Hurts on Friday. In addition to the main stage, there are also many smaller stages, terraces, and places to eat.
02 EVERYDAY SOVIET ABSURDITY AT THE TV TOWER “There are no bananas”, is the title of the new exhibition at the Tallinn TV Tower, which explored everyday life in Soviet Estonia from 1970s-80s. Travel back in time to a period of deficits, contrast, and a surrealistic socialistic system. The exhibition runs until the end of September and can be visited without visiting the TV Tower.
03 WYCLEF JEAN’S FIRST TIME IN ESTONIA The three-time Grammy winning musician and member of The Fugees will perform in Tallinn on 8 June for the first time. The concert will take place at the Cathouse nightclub featuring hits from both The Fugees and Wyclef solo career.
04 STREET FOOD FESTIVAL
this month 8-9 Summer Event Calendar 10 Nightlife 12-13 Summer terrace guide 15 Islands 16-17 Pärnu 18 Southern Estonia 19 Tartu 20 Northern Estonia 22 Museums 23-26 visitor information and maps
Telliskivi Creative City will host the annual Tallinn Street Food Festival from 10-11 June. Enjoy exciting flavours and new tastes from various food trucks and vendors. A great way to experience local and international food trends.
Your Comments
The annual flower festival opens every year in the Towers Square in the middle of May. In June, the landscaping really begins to take shape. This year’s theme is family garden and one-colour garden. The festival runs until 25 August.
■ We always appreciate your feedback. Tell us your thoughts on our content, layout, things you think we should add – good or bad. Write to: kristina@balticguide.ee. or send a letter to: THE BALTIC GUIDE Põhja pst. 25, 10415, Tallinn.
Contact Information
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Managing Director: Jane Konga Editor-in-Chief: Kristina Lupp kristina@balticguide.ee Contributors: Stuart Garlick Design: Evelin Linholm Photography: Andrei Chertkov Printing House: AS Kroonpress
O 'Malleys, Odessa Restaurant, Seitse Merd Restaurant, Troika Restaurant, Turg Restaurant, Waynes Coffee PÄRNU Astra Hotel, Legend Hotel, Pärnu Visitor's Centre, Strand Hotel, Sanatorium Tervis, Tervise Paradiis, TRK Viiking, Koidulapark Hotel, Pärnu Airport TARTU Dorpat Hotel, London Hotel, Pallas Hotel, Tartu Visitor's Centre, Tartu Airport, Turu Linna City Information Point WESTERN ESTONIA Pärnu Yacht Club, Arensburg Boutique Hotel, Fra Mare Thalasso Spa, Haapsalu Tourist Information, Hiiumaa Tourist Information, Johan Spa Hotel, Kuressaare Airport, Kuressaare Tourist Information, Promenaadi Hotel Haapsalu, Meri Spa Hotel, Rüütli Spa Hotel EASTERN ESTONIA Jõhvi Tourist Information, Meresuu Spa, Narva Tourist Information, Rakvere Tourist Information, Saka Cliff Hotel & Spa, Toila Sanatorium, Vihula Manor, Villa Theresa, Sagadi Manor SWEDEN EAS Stockholm, Estonian House Göteborg, Estonian Air Stockholm,Tallink Mariehamn, Tallink Stockholm RIGA Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel, Friendly Fun Franks Backpackers Hostel, The Blue Cow Backpackers Hostel, The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel
Põhja pst 25, 10415 Tallinn, tel +372 611 77 60 e-mail: balticguide@balticguide.ee
Andres Kõpper Photo: Eero Vabamägi
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JUNE 2017
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05 FLOWER FESTIVAL IN TALLINN