Estonia lies on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia and Russia and has a rich history with cultural donations from many surrounding countries. The Estonian Sovereignty Declaration was not issued until November of 1989, with formal independence declared in August of 1991, and thus is a relatively new, yet modern country. Estonians consider themselves to be a Nordic people, based upon historical dies with Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
The media is a very influential in terms of change in Estonian society, and freedom of press has been ranked one of the highest in the world. The Estonian Song Festival, or Laulupidu, began in 1869 and has become one of the largest amateur choral events in the world. Historically, Estonian cuisine emphasizes seasonal ingredients. Typical meals include black bread, pork, potatoes and dairy, though Estonians enjoy fresh food whenever possible. Hunting and fishing are popular hobbies, as well as grilling in the summer months. Estonia first competed in the Olympics in 1920, and has strong showings in weightlifting, wrestling and cross-country skiing. An Estonian au pair will give your child an opportunity to unique cultural experience that most Americans don’t have access to.
