Poetry and Creativity

Happy New Snapping!

2012-01-18T04:30:00.000+02:00

Happy New Year to everyone be it writing, volunteering or...
take photos!

If you are interested in taking photos then there is the annual Photo competition with Looduse (Nature) Omnibuss. The closing date is the end of February and more details (in Estonian) can be found here.

Happy snapping!

Merry Christmas everyone

2011-12-23T21:53:00.001+02:00

Have a great time to everyone and to all the traditional festive fun round the world. A winter haiku can be read here.

Schnee

2011-12-20T12:54:00.000+02:00

All unique

covering the land

but who will miss me

from the rest

when I melt away?

Poem and Photo by Ian

Recipe 2: Cheese, Onion and Potato Layer Pie - my veggie Christmas Pie :)

2011-12-08T01:00:00.000+02:00

Here is a simple (very rough) guide to the pie that I like to make instead of having turkey for Christmas. (Also featured in a few Preston Poets Christmas buffets.. see photo at bottom)

Ingredients:

Try to get local where possible and also the varieties you prefer. Quantities depend on how big a pie you are doing. My pies end up bulging with stuff , you may prefer nicely shaped pies :)

Halved Peeled Potatoes - I don't think I have ever counted how many I put in. Is a guess whilst cleaning and peeling. A guess whilst writing this is 7 medium potatoes, the pie is mostly potato.
Chopped/ Diced Onions - 2 maybe 3 and I prefer red.
Grated Cheese - What ever variety / varieties that take your fancy! This will be grated so you can use the rest of the block up with your favourite crackers and wine or something later.
Plain Flour
Egg Yolk/Milk for pastry
Butter

Instructions:

Put the peeled and halved potatoes into boiling water with a pinch of salt. Cook until soft but not collapsing. I cook for 10/15 mins then have a poke. Drain and leave to cool.
Fry some onions in a pan with a knob of butter. Fry to soften and make sweet tasting flavour. Maybe slightly brown but not crisp. Leave to cool.
Make some short crust pastry. Enough for a base and a lid . Delia's guide to shortcrust pastry is here if you need any help.
Grease your pie dish and place the pastry in. Make sure it is flat against the dish and there are no bubbles. We want all the space for the filling :)
We are going to make different layers of the ingredients. First use some of the potato and slice up into smaller pieces so you can layer the base of the pie.
Next layer some of the onion over the top.
Grate (or use your pre grated :)) cheese over the top of this.
Continue with the layers starting from Potato until you run out of ingredients (either in the pie or through tasting :)).
Seal your lid on. Maybe a little egg yolk or milk to help seal it.
Put the pie in the an oven until pastry cooked and nice golden brown. Oven around 180c and again the guide of cook for 10/15 mins and check. As everything inside has been cooked that needs to be cooked then we are just waiting for the colour!

Any pastry left over can be used for mince pies, jam tarts... just make smaller pastry shapes and fill with (Christmas sweet) mincemeat or jam.

Enjoy with some salad / veg or some chilli jam. Lovely warm or cold.

Enjoy :)

Let me know what you think.

Sorry wasn't quick enough to take a photo of my last pie:

An Alternative Merry Christmas

2011-12-01T11:56:00.001+02:00

Picture by Mari-Lee

It is December again and the time to try and think up some unique new presents for everyone(if not already sorted)! If you are stuck like me then maybe here are some alternative ideas for presents.. or weekends away... or maybe something for next year. Also if you want to avoid those horrendously long queues and crazy people who use any means (and I mean any) to get the last sale item then maybe these are for you.

Of course there are plenty of online shops out there, but there are also plenty of charity shops with plenty of ideas. There are both national and international charities , so you can support the charities in your country or one of the big names whilst getting someone something special. They sell anything from candles to cuddly toys to diaries and sweets.

Here are some alternative ideas from some randomly picked charities:

WWF - Adopt an animal. Maybe adopt a penguin (with cuddly toy) with the WWF or ein Eisbär adoption (mit DVD) with Swiss WWF for example.

Amnesty - Maybe buy an Alpaca hat from Amnesty UK to help development in Peru or maybe Echarpe à chevrons en pashmina from Amensty France.

Oxfam - Buy a goat!!! (Well ok it is for someone who needs a goat) with Oxfam UK or Varkentje with Oxfam Nederland.

Of course if you are still stuck with ideas then maybe combine your shopping with a lovely (and maybe romantic?) trip away to a Christmas Market and explore a new place too. There are plenty to choose from in Europe (and beyond). Here is an article from last year's Telegraph about 10 markets... including Tallinn's Christmas Market (possibly the place of the first Christmas Tree).

Or if you just want to escape from it all... what about volunteering over the Christmas period? Such as at Belvoir Castle with BTCV. Then in the new year if you still want to adventure and help out then there are plenty of countries you can go to including the Estonian trip with BTCV or with ELF.

But all in all I hope you find what you need and enjoy this time of year!

And You Run Some More

2011-11-16T04:30:00.000+02:00

To follow on both from the poem last time and my little article here about Preston Guild Year in 2012 here is something else happening in 2012.. in Preston! Preston has been one of a few to be chosen as an European City of Sport 2012. (The others are Charleroi, Iaşi, Firenze, Pescara and Viterbo).

The aim is to of course to promote sports and improve health etc. Exercise and some kind of sport is good for you... and everyone can be involved in something!

I started playing football for fun a few years ago and from there started to do running. When I started running I could run for under 10 minutes only. I couldn't even get around the park I was running. But from there each week I got a little better and could eventually keep going for 15 minutes. Then gradually did further and further until my first proper 5k ... I was slow in this race but it meant that I had run the furthest I had ever done and run for over 30 mins!

I am never ever going to win any of the races but its the feeling of accomplishment. Most people should be able to do a 5k (even if I didn't think that when I started running).

But I went on...
to 10ks and over an hours run

and then finally this year a half marathon and over 2 hrs running. Which even though I was in the last third of finishers , I did finish! So now was in a minority percentage of people who have finished half marathons

So it may mean my next step ... getting back on track... is doing one of the sporting events in Preston next year. Some of the main events include:

Preston Guild Marathon (and Half Marathon)
Festival of Cycling and Guild Wheel
Big Dance
Tour of Britain final stage
Twin Town sports events

Get involved!

And if you cant get to Preston there are plenty of sporting events around the world... Of course there are the the Olympic games in the UK and a couple of Estonian events include the Tallinn Marathon, Tartu Marathon (although you may need some sticks for this one :)) . Or you could go skiing in the Alps, swimming in the Caribbean or football at your local park or running down your own street.
Enjoy and keep fit!

We Ran!

2011-10-25T15:39:00.002+03:00

We ran down roads, and up paths
We ran past quiet cows, and cheering people.
We ran over bridges, and through woods
We ran around a lake, and spied into a castle
We ran against our doubting legs, and the energy ran away
And then we ran even more… and we triumphed!

by Ian (all a true story too!)

(Photo and manipulation by Ian... Collection of shells and feathers by DA)

And we all must be lions

2011-10-12T23:11:00.002+03:00

Fierce, Roaring Cats
Guarding our pride
King under the sun
But our mothers
Still know how to pick us up by the scruffs of our necks !

by Ian

(Estonian and English (maybe French or Norman or something before) lions)

Switzerland # 2

2011-10-01T02:32:00.002+03:00

There are no words
no thoughts
no sayings
no rightness
just being
for the one
you

___
by Ian
art by Katrin in 2011

(story of the picture:
were in a cafe with children
and they had pencils there
for children to draw
and no newspapers
so had to draw myself
for not to get bored
while children were busy
playing around)

(story of the poem:
well it says it all in the poem
even the fact that even though I had written it
and typed it up I did not think it was good enough
it was not right! )

Auf Wiedersehen Butterfly

2011-09-20T02:04:00.001+03:00

It was probably the last lovely summer day

The summer bird had flown
The Sun was hiding away
I felt this was the last I’d see of you

So now as the Day, I Falter colourfully

and Night, I Falter greyly
I was ready for the final winter
and the ultimate freeze.

But Hey! I was wrong

lovely sunny summer day today.
As you displayed to me
your pretty wings once more

Fluttering in and around

in a chaotic dance
As butterflies randomly picking flowers.
You have found me.

So just as I thought I could see the end.

I now know, there are plenty more summers in between
I just have to survive the winters.
and be with you again.

by Ian and A

Most Estonian?

2011-09-18T22:23:00.001+03:00

In Facebook there is a group "You know you are from Estonian when..." where Estonians and people knowing Estonians have gathered lots of great and funny observations about Estonians. Like for example:

You know you are from Estonian when...

1. You use the word ‘normal’ if something is ok.
...
24. Your best friend's girlfriend is your English teacher's daughter and they live next door to your grandparents, who were colleagues with your advisor, who is friends with your...
...
61. "Ühesõnaga" means that a really long explanation is coming
...
93. When you hear "Kristina", you think of Shmigun, not Aguilera.
...
141. You say to a foreigner "Sure! I'll help you learn the Estonian language!", and then you disappear...
...
148. As a child you went looking for a fern flower on Jaaniõhtu.

In the moment it ends with number 148 and still says "to be continued..."...
___
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee "an one"

Least religious?

2011-09-03T01:55:00.003+03:00

The BBC reported that Estonia was the least religous country... by survey.
But do Estonians believe in anything?... or thats what they ask.
You can hear the radio version here This is quite interesting radio programme and includes a lot of interesting cultural and historical points... some can be read in the written summary here.

Here are some stats from wikipedia and interestingly it seems to be the "Scandanavian" countries that seem to have a low percentage of "Religion". On this page there is an additional column that says "I believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 54% Estonians said yes to this, along with the Scandanvian countries too.

Anyway no real comment apart from that interesting comparison.
___
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee "a two"

Sometimes

2011-08-31T20:23:00.002+03:00

Sometimes
I need the rain.

The cooling shower
to stop me from wilting.
The downpour and thunderstorm
to clear the air.
Or just the cloudy parasol
shading me from the intense heat.

Yet

Sometimes
I need the sun.

The clear blue heavens
encouraging to grow.
The bright light
to awake and flower.
The warming sky-fire
then I can ripen.

But to bear fruit
Sometimes
I need both

by Ian August 2011

art by 5-year-old Mari Lee

And they Sung...

2011-08-23T19:01:00.004+03:00

70,000 Estonians watched The Song for Freedom event in Tallinn. This is just a quick article to point you to a couple of news articles here and there.

The first article has a great link to a video of the coverage from Estonian TV! So you can watch the performances from the different bands. One being Brainstorm who I had seen live in Tallinn 2 years ago and are very good. They are from the fellow Baltic State.... Latvia!

Anyway there is a variety of music to watch and listen to at this link!
And this link from later on in the day!

The Song of Freedom

2011-08-19T19:04:00.004+03:00

"The Estonian people are celebrating two important events this year – 20 years has passed from the 20th of August when Estonia re-gained its independence and the capital of Estonia, Tallinn is proud to be the European Capital of Culture in 2011"

And to celebrate is of course some singing! Many Estonian singers will be performing (more details here) but also including a 20 year delayed performance by Sinead O'Connor.

Also the day after is Iceland Day in Tallinn. This includes performances from Icelandic bands. More details available here.

You can also read my poetry on this blog from my trip to Iceland here.
Of course there poems about Estonia on here but I will let you look for them :) but here is a link to a little talk I did on Identity including Gustav Suits

2nd Anniversary

2011-08-15T00:56:00.000+03:00

Ian thought it would be fitting to have an Estonian Poem on the 1st Anniversary Post.
I thought it would be fitting to have the non-poetic word-by-word translation of the 1st Anniversary Post poem here.

Korallid Emajõel
- Corals on Emajõgi

Betti Alver

Ikka meenuvad minutid
- still remember the minutes
millal
- when
viras vikerkaar
- the rainbow
üle vee.
- over the water

Me seisime raudsel sillal.
- We stood on the iron bridge
Sinu ees oli
- In front of you there was
raudne tee.
- the iron road.

Aeg raputas aardeid mu ette.
- Time shaked the treasures in front of me.
sinu ees oli
- in front of you there was
raudne tee.
- the iron road

Raudsillal
- On the iron bridge
viskasin vette
- I threw into the water
ma punakorallidest
kee.
- a necklace made of red corals.

Kõik mu aegade aarded on hallid.
- All the treasures of my times are grey
Jumet
- There is no complexion
pole ka jumalatõel.
- on the Truth of God either.

Veepõhjast
- From the bottom of the water
vaid punakorallid
- only the red corals
vahel vilavad
- sometimes shimer
Emajõel.
- on Emajõgi.

__
poem by Betti Alver, found by Ian, translation here by Katrin
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee - the coral fish

Lood ja laulud

2011-06-23T02:30:00.000+03:00

Sinugi lood on Sinu sees
- Your stories are inside You
ja piiluvad vahel välja.
- and peek out sometimes.
Kuigi kannad neid eneses,
- Although you carry them inside yourself,
saad nendega vahel nalja.
- sometimes some fun happens with them.

Sinu laulud on Sinu sees ja murravad vahel välja.
- Your songs are inside You and break out sometimes.
Räägivad Sinust enesest ja teevad Su kulul nalja.
- Talk about Yourself and make fun of You.

Sinu elu on Sinu ees. Alati ei tule välja.
- Your life is in front of You. Always it does not work out.
Hoolimata Su teenetest Sinustki teeb keegi nalja.
- Regardless of Your favors, someone makes fun of You, too.

Sinu hetked on Sinu sees. Keegi ei võta neid välja.
- Your moments are inside You. Nobody takes them out.
Parimates Su hetkedes ikka on killuke nalja.
- In the best of Your moments there alaways is a chip of fun.

Sinu naljad on Sinu sees. Kuidas küll saada nad välja?
- Your funny jokes are inside You. How to get them out?
Sügavamalgi südames juurdunud kurbuse viljad...
- In the deepest part of the heart the fruits of sadness have taken root...

Sinu kurbus on Sinu ees. Kes küll siit lasi ta välja?
- Your sadness is in front of You. Who on earth did let it out from here?
Tühjusetunne südames igatseb killukest nalja.
- Feeling of emptyness in the heart yearns for a chip of fun.

Sinu viljad on Sinu sees. Lase nad ometi välja!
- Your fruits are inside You. Let them yet out!
Oma laule Sa imetle kurbuses, tänus ja naljas!
- Your own songs do admire in sadness, in thanksgiving and in fun!
___
by Katrin in June 2011
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee 'a sea, a sunset and a sunrise'

Raha ... mõttes

2011-05-26T23:51:00.020+03:00

Raha. Aeg. Suhted.
- Money. Time. Relationships.
Raskused. Edu. Uhkus.
- Difficulties. Success. Pride.
Tänu. Alandlikkus. Austus.
- Gratitude. Humility. Respect.
Truudus. Püüdlused. Sihid.
- Loyalty. Aspirations. Goals.
Õnn. Elu. Surm.
- Happyness. Life. Death.
Ise. Vaba. Üksi.
- Self. Free. Alone.
Alati. Iialgi. Mis mõttes?
- Always. Never. In what sense?
___
by Katrin in May 2011
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee 'a house'

Scotland - The Solway Woodlands Experience

2011-05-19T21:16:00.000+03:00

Got an e-mail from ELF saying that two Estonians will have an opportunity to go to volunteer in Scotland in June to The Solway Woodlands Experience (the opportunity is somehow connected to ELF winning the BTCV Green Hero award, whatever that means :).

Anyway, seems like a good chance to meet some Estonians, if anyone interested :)

___

picture from btcv website

Euro - Vision / Volunteering

2011-05-13T22:50:00.011+03:00

Eurovision time… fun time
Volunteering time.. fun time

I am feeling a little creative so I am combining the Eurovision with an email I got recently from the BTCV about their Volunteering holidays. It was a BTCV holiday that I went on to Estonia that was the inspiration for this blog. A cool holiday where I could volunteer and help and explore the world...
I am surprised that the BTCV hasn’t done something similar but o well here goes

First off in Alphabetical order

Bulgaria – Where you can help build nests near the Black Sea or help manage habitats on the Sakar Mountains Details from the BTCV here

Their Eurovision song entry called Na Inat was in the second Semi Final on Thursday, but unfortunately did not get through.

Estonia - Where you can help look after the Alam Pedja Reserve. There are plenty of photos and thoughts on this blog about this. For instance here are a few from the start of this blog. A lovely remote but friendly place. A place to escape but also to find .

Their Eurovision song Rockefeller Street was performed in the second Semi Final too and has qualified for the final so you can watch it live again ! Its quite a catchy tune.

Iceland - You can volunteer and help at Skaftafell. Another interesting volunteering holiday I have been on. At Skaftafell the feel of the Sagas of old felt alive, and also a huge big glacier to wake up to every day. Also you may experience the looooooooooooong days where the sun never really sleeps.
Some thoughts and photos are here

As for their Eurovision entry it is called Coming Home. It was written by ‘Sjonni’ who sadly died in January, his friends decided that the song should stay in the competition and it has gone through the first Semi Final and qualified for the final.

There is a lot to do in Italy! You can revive mountains (apparently), help restore a villa and help with the olive harvest. More details here

As for Eurovision it is their first entry for 14 years. It is a jazzy song which I quite like. They are straight into the final so you can enjoy it there too.

For Portugal you best be quick! One holiday doing coastal work has already been booked up and the National Park work in June is fast approaching. More details here

Their entry Luta É Alegria is a traditional collective song and means the struggle is joy. Unfortunately it didn’t get past the first semi final but you can enjoy it here

Romania was one of the choices that looked tempting to me. It is volunteering in Transylvania! Doing community work and working in meadows. Looks a great way to learn about Romania. Details here.

As for Eurovision they qualified through the second semi-final with Change.

Slovakia you can volunteer, if you are quick again as it is June, in the Tatra Mountains with research and monitoring. Details here.

Their entry was interesting as the group was called TWiiNS as the girls were identical twins which was quite strange to watch with two identical people singing at once… which you can do here , as unluckily they didn’t qualify for the final.

Other places that BTCV have had or are looking at :
Albania
BTCV
Eurovision

France
BTCV
Eurovision

Germany
BTCV
Eurovision

Finally the BTCV does do the UK , these along with other holidays (USA , Japan etc) can be found here

Of course the UK are in Eurovision and there are plenty of other countries not mentioned here.
Enjoy Eurovision and volunteering :)

Morning Story

2011-05-05T01:55:00.000+03:00

Hommikujutt
- Morning Story

neljapäev 6. märts 2008
- Thursday, March 6, 2008

mees astus karusselli pealt maha ja vaatas enda ümber.
- the man stepped down from the carousel and looked around himself.
maailm kõikus veidike, kuid jäi vähehaaval pidama.
- the world wavered a bit, but little by little it stopped.
mees toetas jalad tugevalt maha ja vaatas ettevaatlikult karusselli poole.
- the man put his feet intensely on the ground and looked carefully towards the carousel.
see tundus imelikult kirju ja lärmakas.
- it seemed weirdly colourful and loud.
inimesed vihisesid kiiresti-kiiresti mööda, naersid ja hõikusid omavahel.
- the people swished by fast-fast, laughed and shouted to each other.
nad paistsid ennast hästi tundvat.
- they seemed to feel themselves good.
vahepeal mõni oksendas üle karusselliääre, pühkis suu puhtaks ja naeris ja hõikus edasi.
- now and then some of them vomited over the edge of the carousel, sweeped his mouth clean and laughed and shouted on.

inimestele karussellil paistis mees ... veider.
- to the people on the carousel the man looked ... weird.
selline ... ebastabiilne.
- such ... unstable.
kord on, kord pole.
- once he is there, then he is not.
kuidagi ... väljaspool.
- somehow ... outside.
teisel pool.
- on the other side.
lihtsam oli teda mitte vaadata ja tema olemasolu unustada.
- it was easier to not look at him and forget about his presence.
seal.
- there.

karussellil vihises mööda Suur Mees.
- on the carousel swished by the Big Man.
Habemega.
- with Beard.
Mees ei olnud teda varem märganud.
- the Man had not noticed him before.
karussellil olles.
- being on the carousel.
nüüd aga jõudsid temani Suure Mehe Sõnad.
- but now the Words of the Big Man reached him.
Suur Mees vihises mööda kiiresti, aga jõudis selle lühikese hetkega öelda Palju.
- the Big Man swished by fast, but could by that short moment say a Lot.

naudi seda aega. selliseid võimalusi antakse harva. see on suurepärane aeg Loomiseks.
- enjoy this time. such possibilities are given rarely. it is a wonderful time for Creation.

mees vaatas enda ümber. Maailm oli Loodud. mida on enam Luua ühel väikesel Mehel.
- the man looked around himself. the World had been Created. what else can be Created by a little Man.

mees vaatas karusselli ja tundis, kuidas maailm hakkab vaikselt jälle ringi käima.
- the man looked the carousel and felt, how the world slowly starts to go around again.
mees sirutas käe karusselli poole ja sai mööduva pulgaga valusalt mööda sõrmi.
- the man reached his hand toward the carousel and got a painful hit from the passing stick.
mees pistis sõrme suhu ja jäi mõttesse.
- the man put his finger in his mouth and stayed thinking.

mees heitis pikali ja vaatas kõikuvaid oksi ja mööduvaid pilvi.
- the man laid down and looked at the swaying branches and passing clouds.
Rahu oli Maa peal.
- the Peace was on the Earth.
mees jäi vaikselt magama.
- the man fell quietly asleep.
mees nägi unes, et ta on väike tüdruk, kes istub öösärgis arvuti ees ja kirjutab "Mees astus karussellilt maha..."
- the man dreamed that he was a little girl sitting in a nightgown in front of a computer and writing "the Man stepped down from the carousel..."

mehe silmist voolasid pisarad ja nendest tärkasid tema ümber maailma kõige ilusamad lilled.
- from the eyes of the man flowed tears and sprouted around him the most beautiful flowers of the world.

___
Short Story by Katrin in 2008
art by 6-year-old Mari Lee 'Egg and Mother' or 'Mother of the Egg'

looduseomnibuss news... (Photo Competition and new competition)

2011-04-27T08:35:00.002+03:00

You can now view all the winning photos here. All stunning photos! This time none of my photos selected but I can see why :)

But here is ANOTHER!! Painting Competition. Paintings are required of many places in Estonia. The link from Looduse Omnibuss is here.

Lahemaa Photo and Painting Contest

2011-04-25T23:39:00.000+03:00

information in Estonian here http://www.keskkonnaamet.ee/index.php?id=26905

anyone can send their paintings and photos of Lahemaa (a beautiful part of Northern Estonia) until May 15, 2011.

___
ad by Katrin

Lovely photos of Estonia for you to view

2011-04-13T14:17:00.002+03:00

Lots of photos have been sent in for the Looduse Omnibuss competition and you can view the gallery of them here. There are photos of landscapes, weather, nature, people ... close ups, long shots, some that will surprise, some that will delight. Anyway enjoy :)

Nature Quiz

2011-04-12T18:03:00.001+03:00

As everyone waits for the results from Looduse Omnibuss for the photo competition there are more prizes and some questions to be answered.
They along with a company called Overall have a quiz which you can enter by identifying places animals etc (in Estonian). You can win a new camera or something else by entering this Quiz

You have about 2 weeks to enter!

(Details in Estonian are here)

Bee Story Collecting

2011-04-05T20:54:00.002+03:00

see here: This year, in co-operation with Estonian National Museum, we are also collecting stories from people who have participated in the Day of Civil Actions and other kind of bees in different times. People can send us their stories as well as read other people’s stories on our website - www.teemeara.ee.

more information in Estonian here:
- collecting stories from March 15 until May 13, 2011
- story entering form in the website http://www.teemeara.ee/talgulood
- more information Tiina.Tael@erm.ee, tel. +372 7350420 (ask for example whether stories in English would be accepted ;)
- read stories here
___
photo by English Volunteer in Palupõhja Bee in 2009

Tallinn Music Week

2011-03-30T13:29:00.001+03:00

Tallinn Music Week took place last week. This is the third year that it has taken place.

When I was in Tallinn last year I managed to see a few bands at the Rock Cafe. On that evening were an Estonian band : Groundhog Day, Latvian : Instrumenti - with panda heads and remember this song . Finally there was another Latvian band called Brainstorm. They were a Latvian entry to Eurovision one year with My Star. Anyway it was great fun and recommended to all... so anyway...

This year it was part of Tallinn Capital of Culture and a review of the week can be found here in English. Also information about Music Week (maybe its something you might want to check out next time) and a list of all the bands (which you can check now:)) can be found here.
___
Photo of Crowd in Rock Cafe in 2010

World Poetry Day!

2011-03-21T12:07:00.001+02:00

Happy World Poetry Day!
A good reason (if you need any?) to read some poetry today.
Maybe something old ,
maybe something loved,
maybe something new?

Well for the "maybe something new" section here is a poem I have found recently. It is by Hermann Hesse. Which I feel is a good choice for World Poetry Day due to his connections to various parts of the world.

A quick summary: He was born in Calw, Germany. His mother was born in a missionary in India and his father was born in Paide, Estonia (Article on Hesse-Estonia). They moved to Basel, Switzerland and he obtained Swiss nationality (Previously Russian). He married 3 times; including Swiss and Ukranian wives. He won the nobel prize in literature and wrote various novels including Der Steppenwolf (which inspired the name for the Canadian-American band) and Siddhartha. He also wrote various poems including the one I now present to you below in both English and German:

English (from poems.md)

Without You
My Pillow gazes upon me at night
Empty as a gravestone;
I never thought it would be so bitter
To be alone,
Not to lie down asleep in your hair.

I lie alone in a silent house,
The hanging lamp darkened,
And gently stretch out my hands
To gather in yours,
And softly press my warm mouth
Toward you, and kiss myself, exhausted and weak-
Then suddenly I'm awake
And all around me the cold night grows still.
The star in the window shines clearly-
Where is your blond hair,
Where your sweet mouth?

Now I drink pain in every delight
And poison in every wine;
I never knew it would be so bitter
To be alone,
Alone, without you.

Translated by James Wright

German / Deutsch (from murmel.de)

Ohne Dich
Mein Kissen schaut mich an zur Nacht
leer wie ein Totenstein;
So bitter hatt ich's nie gedacht,
Allein zu sein
Und nicht in deinem Haar gebettet sein!
Ich lieg allein im stillen Haus,
die Ampel ausgetan,
Und strecke sacht die Hände aus,
die deinen zu umfahn,
Und dränge leis den heißen Mund
Nach Dir und küss mich matt und wund-
und plötzlich bin ich aufgewacht
und ringsum schweigt die kalte Nacht,
der Stern im Fenster schimmert klar-
o du, wo ist dein blondes Haar,
wo ist dein süßer Mund??
Nun trink ich Weh in jeder Lust
Und Gift in jedem Wein;
So bitter hat ich's nie gewußt,
allein zu sein,
allein und ohne dich zu sein!!

-Photo by Ian - Snowy Switzerland in the fog

Spring Conservation Holiday in Palupõhja 2011

2011-03-09T08:41:00.001+02:00

Conservation Holiday for People of All Ages (including Families, but not only)
March 25-27, 2011
in Palupõhja

Information and Registration in Estonian http://www.talgud.ee/talgud/2011/palupohja-1

___

ad by Katrin

photo from the official Palupõhja Holiday ad with the permission of the Project Manager of ELF Conservation Holidays

Short Story Competition (Seashore)

2011-03-06T11:58:00.000+02:00

As part of Tallinn being the Capital of Culture there is a short story competition which you can find details (in English.. other language options are available) here. You will also be able to read the stories later on.

Languages to a Valentine Theme

2011-02-16T11:56:00.000+02:00

Bodo Wartke wrote an interesting love song (Liebeslied) in 2009. The song is about wanting to sing how he loves someone and wanting to sing that in every language, which he does. Not only does he perform this you can also create your own version online with your choice of languages! Maybe too late for sending a Valentines but that doesn't stop you sending it now :)

He has the verses in languages from Swiss Dialects (which I found very useful :)) to English to Suaheli to Korean to Estonian and a lot more. Check it out and create your own love song here. (Insructions are in either German or English)

Armastus #3

2011-02-15T09:43:00.000+02:00

Ma armastan inimesi ja olukordi
- I love people and situations
(ja iseennast)
- (and myself)
koos nende vigadega.
- with all their errors.
See ei takista mind soovimast
- That does not prevent me either from wishing
(ja palvetamast),
- (and praying),
et nad paremaks muutuksid
- for them to beocome better
(ega neid selles aitamast),
- (nor helping them with it),
kuid mu armastus ei sõltu
- but my love does not depend on
nende (ega minu)
- whether they (or myself)
paremaks saamisest.
- become better.
Ma armastan neid (ja ennast)
- I love them (and myself)
ka siis, kui nad ei saa paremaks.
- also when they will not become better.
Ja kui nad paremaks saavad,
- And if they become better,
ei armasta ma neid sellepärast rohkem.
- I will not love them more for that.
Meil on lihtsalt kõigil parem.
- I'll just all be better off.
Aga me armastame üksteist ikka samapalju.
- But we love each other still the same.
Tingimusteta
- With no conditions
ja igavesti.
- and forever.
___
by Katrin in november 2010, translation in February 2011
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee - A Cave
__
ps. Happy Valentine Day to everyone! ... Especially the Special Ones :)

Send Your Volunteering Story

2011-02-07T14:50:00.000+02:00

Read the stories told by the volunteers themselves. And send your own!

Stories are grouped by countries. For example in Estonia department you can find BTCV Community Group of the Year :)

(wonder whether Ian's story should go under Estonia or under United Kingdom... ;)

Conservation Holidays for this Year

2011-02-01T02:32:00.001+02:00

You maybe interested in the holidays for this year. With the BTCV you can find information here and with ELF you can find some details here. O and happy birthday ELF... it is 20 this year :)

Looduseomnibus Photo Contest 2011

2011-01-23T11:37:00.000+02:00

The Looduseomnibus (Nature Omnibus) Photo Conest for 2011 is now open. I entered last year's competition, and one of my photos was good enough to go on display. However I am sure you can do one better and be in the top 3 of one of the categories.

Photos need to be of different categories of Nature and must be in by 14 March. There are prizes etc and all rules ... in a rough Google translation ... can be found here or in Estonian can be found here.

Good Luck!

Tallinn - Capital of Culture

2011-01-10T13:15:00.000+02:00

Tallinn is joint Capital of Culture (with Turku) this year and I spotted this article in The Telegraph. You can read about the programme for the year of culture and like the Programme Director says Estonians "have strong folk traditions in singing and poetry".

Enjoy :)

P.S. The official website in Estonian (Also English , Finnish and Russian options available)

things ... what

2010-12-30T02:06:00.000+02:00

things happen
life goes
people wonder
sometimes souls
are happy
sometimes not
no matter
what
__
by Katrin in October 2010
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee - nine tunnels

Armastus #2

2010-12-23T01:56:00.000+02:00

Another version of the previous regilaul, no translation this time:

Armastus tuleb aegamööda
astub aia ääri mööda
Eile eelmine eemaldus
et ei ehmuks hellakene
Ise ihkab ihaleda
ilma ilut imesteda
Ootamatuid ootamisi
uhkes ulmas uneleda
Õeke õisi õnnisteleb
ämma hälli äiuteleb
Öösel ööbikul ööjutud
üle kõige armastus
___
by Katrin in November 2009
photo by Ian in Wales (?)

Armastus #1

2010-12-16T01:23:00.000+02:00

After searching and listening a lot of ancient Estonian folk songs (regilaul) made one myself.
Left it be for a year or so and then decided to try and translate:

Armastus tuleb arutades
- Love comes considering
arutades arvestades
- considering figuring
arglikult ja aegamööda
- timidly and slowly
astub aia ääri mööda
- steps by the edges of the fence

Eile eelmine eemaldus
- yesterday the previous withdrew
et ei ehmuks hellakene
- for the brownie would not be startled
ise ihkab ihaleda
- oneself craves to desire

ilma ilut imesteda
- to admire the beauty of the world (or weather)

Ootus lootus ohkab ihkab
- Expectation hope sighs craves
oivalisi ootamisi
- marvelous waitings
unes näeb ulmas unistab
- sees in dreams daydreams in a vision

uusi uhkeid ulakusi
- new proud naughties

Õde õhkab venda vihkab
- Sister sighs hates the brother
ämma äiutab väetit
- the mother-in-law lulls the puny

öösel ööbikul ööjutud
- in the night the nightingale's night chats
üle kõige armastus
- above all the love

the point in the Estonian version is the alphabethical alliteration - the words in rows start with A, E, I, O, U, Õ, Ä, Ö, Ü...

___
in Estonian and translation by Katrin
art by 5-year-old Mari Lee

Finland - #16

2010-12-08T15:07:00.000+02:00

I struggled through
the deep snow
with more following fast

I struggled through
the bitter cold and
with more following fast

I struggled through
hunger and tiredness
with more following fast

eventually arrived at Walhalla
and what's this to say about my journey
it was closed!

poem and photo by Ian

Finland - #2

2010-12-01T15:04:00.000+02:00

(Posting poems about snow in summer doesnt seem right so I have posted them now even though I wrote them months ago)
Out at Sea
Bracing against the wind
defying the beating waves
a fortress in the sea

Snow all around
Sun is blinding
a mix of hot and cold
I must guard

So I stand here
against incoming armies
against incoming tides
and against the deep loneliness
until the snow melts and flowers bloom

photo and poetry by Ian

Iceland #8

2010-11-24T18:17:00.000+02:00

there i sit
on a stone
like an elf
when no one is
around
i admire the
landscape
and peacefulness
but when someone comes
round the corner

I am gone!

poem and photo by Ian

Nature Photo Contest in Rakke School

2010-11-18T11:56:00.000+02:00

Take a look at http://www.rakkeg.ee/lfv_2010.php .

The Nature Photos Contest electronic voting until Dec. 6.
You can vote once in 12 hours from one external computer for one photo.
Vote by clicking on the button 'Meeldib'.

___
ad by Katrin
photo by Ian in Wales (?) (note from Ian: "Yes that is the Welsh moon :)"

Iceland #23

2010-11-17T18:10:00.000+02:00

and she sleeps tonight
and she dreams of love
of the beautiful sky
of the golden silence
of the one true person
of that moment that it all came together

when the fire burnt
and the moon met the mountain

poem and photos (photos from same night of bonfire) Ian

Iceland #21

2010-11-10T18:06:00.000+02:00

Lava burning
sweeping
fast
like love
racing through your veins

Glacier
cool
slow
like someone important in your life
leaving a longing impression

Written on a walk near Landmannalaugar looking over at the Lava fields and remembering the Glacier at Skaftafell.
Poem by Ian and photo of Glacier near Skaftafell by Ian

Iceland #17

2010-11-03T16:59:00.000+02:00

the earth
rumbles
all through the valley
like a troll
roaring
marking out its territory
beware of its bite!

photo and poem by ian

Iceland #16

2010-10-27T17:56:00.000+03:00

like saving an ice cube
in the sun

youth and beauty
may melt away

but the important part remains
like the life giving water

photo and poem by Ian

Iceland #14

2010-10-20T15:16:00.000+03:00

How can one place
make you feel so homesick
that drives you
to all the silly things
you miss
like
the flower in your garden
that you usually ignore
yet somewhere else
that flower just feels
like home?

Photo and Poem by Ian

Iceland #12 - Me

2010-10-13T15:12:00.000+03:00

I spy
with my little eye
something
beginning
with
I

Photo and Poem by Ian

Iceland #10

2010-10-06T15:07:00.000+03:00

Why volunteer?
it seems so much hard work!

yes it is I agree!

lying on rocks

sleeping after a lunch throwing
small stones at a bucket

in the hot sun

i agree its hard!

Photo and Poem by Ian

P.s. you can volunteer on such hard working trips at:
www.btcv.org
http://www.elfond.ee/

Iceland #7

2010-09-29T15:00:00.000+03:00

Trip trap trip trap
goes the troll
crossing the wooden bridge
over the deep valley

Splish Splash Splish Splash
goes the troll
having a shower in the waterfall
using moss for a towel

Slurp gulp slurp gulp
goes the troll
having a long cold refreshing drink
from the little windy stream

Stomp Crunch Stomp Crunch
goes the troll
avoiding the hidden holes and valleys
over the glacier face

Bang Clatter Bang Clatter
goes the troll
Jumping down the hillside
and starting little rockfalls

Rumble grumble rumble grumble
goes the troll
thinking of his next meal
that he will surely find soon

Then shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

as he waits...

round the next bend

for...

YOU!

Photo and Poem by Ian

For people who do like Trolls.. and like puppets (maybe one for the kids)
I have seen it recommended to go to the Estonian State Puppet theatre (although never been myself)
Anyway they do the troll boy which is described here :)

Iceland #6

2010-09-22T14:55:00.000+03:00

Around every bleak corner
every random peak
every rock fall
every untouched place
behind every waterfall
in every shadow
under all the ice
there are monsters
Poking out through the centuries
and they will live on
through the sagas
the stories
the songs
and if you belief they do

Poem and Photo by Ian

Iceland #4

2010-09-15T14:47:00.000+03:00

Like a written page
slowly and silently
shifting down
the valley
The Glacier's meaning
only seems to make sense
at the end
with its dropped boulders

poem and photo by Ian

P.S. :) Yes this was another conservation (not conversation as Katrin pointed out) holiday, this time in Iceland. Involving fixing paths and pulling Lupin. Details of BTCV holidays can be found at www.btcv.org.uk

Iceland #2

2010-09-08T14:43:00.000+03:00

#2
Is it worth chasing
from side to side
from point to point
always just quite missing
what was to be seen in the crowd
when you can sit patiently and wait
and see a magical moment?

poem and photo by Ian

Iceland #1

2010-09-01T14:36:00.000+03:00

Poems and Photos from Iceland trip 2010...
In 1991 (just over 19 years ago), "Iceland became the first nation to recognise the newly restored independence of Estonia" - wikipedia . In fact there is an Iceland Square (Estonian: Islandi väljak ) in Tallinn ... anyway back to my Icelandic poetry...

#1
The sun dips down
but never sets
on the night life
which only seemed to start
when the sun flirts with the horizon

poem and photo by Ian

Star Haiku

2010-08-25T14:34:00.000+03:00

If you concentrate
the dark sky will show Venus
and two shiny stars

by Ian, written in a tent in Iceland.... see following posts over the next weeks for more Icelandic poems

Similiar ideas are explored here by Katrin

Misserfolg

2010-08-18T12:37:00.000+03:00

I was told
how she was failure in life
Miss Erfolg
The receptionist at the local hospital
How her mother was upset that she wouldn't be a proud grandmother
no child to continue her line
no grandkid to coo over
How her father was disappointed
that she wasn't a doctor
a daughter with a great career
and something to boast about
How her colleagues looked down on her
saying that she must know so little
being in the position she is
her thoughts can be just dismissed out of hand

But all the names
they wanted to give her
and all the sections
they wanted to place her
did not mean they defined her

As Whilst others earnt more and in large debt
she saved so had more money then them

Whilst others had kids
she knew this was not for her

Whilst work colleagues ignored her
she stood up and spoke her heart to willing audiences

Whilst others stayed inside blocking out neighbours
She volunteered and helped society

Whilst others were to judge everything
she was willing to listen

Whilst some people called her Miss Erfolg
I know her name was Erma Erfolg

As she was not a failure
She was herself

by ian
__
picture by 5-year-old Mari Lee

1st Anniversary

2010-08-14T18:21:00.000+03:00

It all started here a year ago!

I thought it would be fitting to have an Estonian Poem here. A poem I found about the Emajõgi river. A river that flows from one lake (Võrtsjärv) to another (Peipsi). It flows through Tartu and past Palupõhja (which is where we were based for our volunteering).

Betti Alver was born in Jõgeva and live from 1906 to 1989. She is one of Estonia's notable poets and more information can be found
here.

I have included both the Estonian and an English version of the poem.

Korallid Emajões - Betti Alver (from a collection of the same name)

Ikka meenuvad minutid
millal
viras vikerkaar
üle vee.

Me seisime raudsel sillal.
Sinu ees oli
raudne tee.

Aeg raputas aardeid mu ette.
sinu ees oli
raudne tee.

Raudsillal
viskasin vette
ma punakorallidest
kee.

Kõik mu aegade aarded on hallid.
Jumet
pole ka jumalatõel.

Veepõhjast
vaid punakorallid
vahel vilavad
Emajõel.

English version
(From Tuulelaeval valgusest on aerud. Windship with Oars of Light. Estonian Modern Poetry, Huma, Tallinn 2001)

My own note here is that the translator decided to say "Ancient River" whilst the original text specifies Emajõgi which means Mother River. Ema being mother and jõgi being river. The Emajõgi is mentioned in the title and also on the last line.

Corals in an Ancient River

A shimmering rainbow’s high ridge
arched over the river that day.
We stood on the cast-iron bridge;
ahead lay your iron-paved way.

Time’s treasures have all lost their lustre,
God’s truth has a dull, lifeless glimmer;
but the river flows stronger and faster
where the beads of coral still shimmer.

This along with other poems by Betti Alver can be found at the Estonian Literary Magazine.

Gustav Suits - Estonian Poet: Identity and Independence

2010-08-10T02:25:00.000+03:00

Gustav Suits – Estonian Poet: Identity and Independence. by Ian F

Here is a speech I did for the Brownedge festival 2010 on a night titled "Poetry From Around the World". I chose an Estonian poet as I thought no one else would choose this. I knew I wasnt going to say anything new but gathered all the information I could to try and tell a story of Identity and Independence. There were a couple of comments at the end saying how it was interesting and they didnt know about such things... so it did its job.. hopefully it will do the same for you...

Gustav Suits was an Estonian poet born in 1883. He is considered to be one of the greatest poets of the country.

First I think I should explain the place he came from. Estonia is a country that lies south across the Baltic Sea from Finland. Finland is also considered to be one of the closest neighbours in consideration to the language. On the Eastern border of Estonia is Russia and on the south border is Latvia another Baltic state.

The Estonian landscape is very flat with the highest peak (Egg Hill) being around 318m, which is smaller then the size of Rivington Pike, Lancashire. The area of Estonia is about 45,000 Km2 which is bigger then the size of Wales, however its population is about 1.3 million people. This means there is a lot of room for nature and nature reserves including forests with wolves, bears , places to pick blueberries and hundreds of species of birds. As well as a lot of nature there is a room for a lot of little towns.
Gustav Suits was born to a village teacher in one of these tiny towns called Võnnu in the late 19th century. During this time Estonia was part of the Russian Empire, having in the past been ruled by countries such as Germany and Sweden. Twelve years later Suits moved to Tartu. Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia, smaller in population then Preston, Lancashire.

Suits had his first poem published when at the age of 16 and a couple of years later he was involved in a literature circle of school children. They were called The friends of Literature and included A.H. Tammsaare who would become, as some would see, Estonia’s greatest novelist.

Suits was then involved in with a group called Noor Eesti (which translated is Young Estonia). Young Estonia followed on from the national movement in the late 19th century in literature. (In the late 19th century Kalevipoeg the national epic was written, which was composed of various folktales of Estonia. This epic along with other poets and writers could be seen as a pre-cursor to Young Estonia.

Suits wrote the phrase in one of their publications saying “ Let us be Estonians, but also become Europeans”. Which may give an indication of the viewpoint of Estonians at the time.

Historians have varied views on Young Estonia group. Some say that is started a new Era in Estonian Literature, however others say that it just continued on what was started in the 19th Century. Anyway Young Estonia tried to extend literature influences to France and Nordic Countries. Although some people criticised the group for being alien, that they imitated other nations and other criticisms the group was essential in Estonian literature development.

After spending some time in Finland Suits was offered the position of Professor at the university in Tartu. This was in 1921 and just a few years into independence for Estonia. At the university there was some development in the fact that he was the first professor of literature to teach in Estonian, and his work as a scholar and professor as groundbreaking. He wrote papers on older Estonian work and made contacts and lectures through Europe.

However independence did not last long, only lasting 22 years from 1918. Estonia only seeing independance again in 1991. In 1941 Suits house was burnt down and his many scholarly papers were lost. He fled to Stockholm via Finland , along with many other Estonians. He did manage to continue his scholarly work and produce more poetry before he died in Stockholm, where he is now buried.

He is an important figure in Estonia and one of his poems is quoted on a monument for independance in Tallinn.

I have found two poems of Suits to try and show some of the themes I tried to pick out in my talk. His poetry had various themes including militant and romantic.
He had a collection of poems called Land of Winds. Some people suggest that this was his name for Estonia, others that it was about himself. The two poems I chose were "My Island" and "Under Quivering Aspens". Both of these can be found here to read along with two other poems.

I know I have said nothing new here but I hope this has inspired you to find out more!!
You may struggle to find some information on Estonian Poetry. So here are some resources that I used for my talk:
Estonian Literary Magazine and Article on Gustav Suits
Wikipedia entry for Gustav
Suits
__
speech by Ian
art by 7-year-old Laas Hendrik

Baturin ... pray ... request ... please ...

2010-08-04T20:39:00.000+03:00

at school did a research
about Nikolai Baturin
who is still one
of my favourite Estonian poets.

He has even a homepage
even partly in English,
but no translations of poems.

Some examples of his poems in Estonian
can be found by link 'Luulekogud'
(collections (kogud) of poetry (luule))
on http://www.baturin.pri.ee/
(the first one in a really old version of Estonian language
that is quite difficult to understand
for young Estonians too).

One example (nicely translatable):
Kui oskaks (if one could) palvetada (to pray)
nagu (like) valetada (to lie),
paneks (would put) käed (hands) kokku (together),
paluks (would request) mäed (mountains) kokku (together).

ok - the last 'kokku (together)'
is quite untranslatable.
it's not like
'would ask the mountains to come together'
but more like
'would ask huge mountains of everything i'd ever want to be mine'.

similarity of the words 'palvetada' (to pray)
and 'paluda' (to ask/request
(in the poem the form 'paluks'
with the -ks ending as 'would')).

the first form of the word 'paluma'
is 'palun' (direct translation 'I ask/request')
that means also the English word 'please'
and is one of the two most important words
to teach to polite children
- the other on is of course
'tänan/aitähh' (thanks).

The word 'palun' is used mostly in 2 kinds of situations -
when one wants something ('please give me')
and when one gives something to someone
(like 'palun anna (give me) ...'
- 'palun' (when giving the thing asked)
- 'tänan' (when taking the thing given).

I'm not sure
whether in English
'please' is used when giving sth
or then rather more 'here you go/are' or sth like that.

and also I don't know
what are the old roots
of the English word 'please'
but in Estonian
it is obviously connected with the
in-English-differently-sounding words
'palvetama' ('to pray' like 'God please give me...')
and 'paluma' ('to ask/request' like 'anyone, please give me...').

and 'paluma' (to ask/request) is often used
instead of 'palvetama' (to pray)
- some people say 'palvetama' (to pray)
some people say 'jumalat paluma' (to ask/request the God).

but we don't say 'palvetama' (to pray)
in situations
not connected with God
and we don't say 'jumalat palvetama',
but we sometimes say 'palvetama Jumala poole'
(to pray towards the God).

well, I'm really amazed
that English people have invented
3 absolutely different words (to pray, to request, please)
for the concepts
so closely connected
in Estonian :)

and I think you are very right
that in Estonia
singing/lyrics/poetry/literature
has been a way
of showing
identity
and independence.

could never put it
in words
so simply
myself :)

___
poem by Nikolai Baturin

translations ... explanations ... contemplations ... by Katrin
photo by Ian in Wales 2010

The Poem on Eesti Vabadussammas

2010-07-28T20:29:00.000+03:00

poem identified :)

The first part of the poem on the monument :

Tõsta lipp! Las aja käänul
lehvib tõotus tuulte väänul
üle mandri, üle vee:
tund on tulnud vannet vandu,
ei iial enam andu
ikke alla rahvas see!

quite untranslatable
word by word.

the main idea
that this (see)
nation (rahvas)
will vow
(in the poem 'tund (the hour)
on tulnud (has come)
vannet (the oath in 3rd form)
vandu (to vow)')
never (iial)
to be occupied
by anyone
any more
('andu ikke alla'
- really old
and poetic
way to say
'not be occupied').

probably there is
some translation
somewhere
in the world
or even in Internet
but no idea
how to find that...

and would not
help much in learning
Estonian
i guess :)

don't know much
about Gustav Suits.
but u post on blog
everything u find out,
would be really interesting,
really :)

___
poem in Estonian by Gustav Suits on Estonian National Freedom Monument
translation-explanation by Katrin
photo by Jenn in Palupõhja 2009

alliteration - algriim

2010-07-21T12:20:00.000+03:00

alliterations - words same letter/sound. It is used in very old poetry and Scandanvian type poetry like Beowulf...) :))
___
alliterations are in Estonian old songs too. the Estonian word is 'algriim' - 'alg' as the beginning of the word 'algus' that means 'beginning' and 'riim' meaning 'rhyme' that usually means the same sounding of the ends of the rows but in 'algriim' the rhyme is in the beginning instead of end. in one word - alliteration :) some examples of Estonian old songs (regilaul) here http://www.folklore.ee/UTfolkl/loengud/poeetika/2alliteratsioon.html
___
explanations by Ian and Katrin
picture by 7-year-old Laas Hendrik in 2010

What is 'Best Wishes' in Estonian?

2010-07-14T12:12:00.000+03:00

parimate soovidega,

now a bit of Estonian grammar:
parim - the best
soov - wish
parim soov - the best wish
parima soovi - 2nd form of the best wish (makes base for most of the other 14 forms)
parima sooviga - wish the best wish (ending -ga meaning with)
parimad soovid - the best wishes (ending -d meaning plural)
parimate soovide - 2nd form of the best wishes in plural (still making base for most of the other 14 forms in plural)
parimate soovidega - with the best wishes (combining the plural ending -d (that in parimate changes to t) and with-ending -ga that adds only to the last word)

___
language explaining by Katrin
photo by Ian of Michelle and Jenn in Wales 2010

#39 - 2010 - on ferry back

2010-07-07T13:30:00.000+03:00

On ferry back

Subconcious hears and learns

"Kiitos!"

... automatically becomes thank you!

O hang on... thats not right

Is it not

Aitäh?

by Ian
___
photo by Ian of the House with the Picture in Tartu 2010

#37 again - 2010 - shall my life...

2010-06-30T00:20:00.000+03:00

shall my life
be told
and retold?

like Kalev
and Kalevipoeg

shall I be an inspiration
a starting place
for some

or maybe at least some
character helping him on his tasks

by Ian
__
photo by Ian of a Man made of Tree Roots looking like Kalevipoeg in Emumägi 2010

#37 - 2010 - so I stand...

2010-06-23T00:18:00.000+03:00

So I stand waiting
for the ferry to Helsinki
and the rest of my life
no promises this time about
when coming back
but promises that I will
and hopes that others will visit
I wait and try to write
the perfect poem for Estonia
but o well...

will wait for next time

by Ian

__
photo by Ian of the Closed Walhalla To Be Seen Next Time in Helsinki 2010

#35 - 2010 - and here I am...

2010-06-16T00:18:00.000+03:00

and here I am again

and again

again

maybe another day

we will seeeeeeeeee...

by Ian
___
photo of a Part of a Duck by Ian
(check also the photo here http://palupohja2009.blogspot.com/2010/04/why-am-i-here.html :))

#34 - 2010 - hit by friendly fire...

2010-06-09T00:16:00.000+03:00

hit by friendly fire
in the back

one person

then the next

luckily just a snowball
and a look around

a friend
Revenge!

... will come later...

I shall wait... :)

by Ian
___
photo by Ian of the National Flag Lowered with the National Anthem while they had a Snowball Fight in Tallinn 2010

Conservation Holidays in Palupõhja in August 2010 - Estonian Registration Opened!

2010-06-02T21:13:00.000+03:00

This summer there will be 2 different Conservation Holidays in Palupõhja both with 6 Estonians + 6 British participants.

Estonian info and registration pages here:
#1 - Aug 3.-6.(11.) - http://www.talgud.ee/talgud/2010/alam-pedja-1
#2 - Aug 17.-20.(25.) - http://www.talgud.ee/talgud/2010/alam-pedja-2
See www.btcv.org for british entry - ian
___
info by Katrin
photo of the 2009 group from the #1 Conservation Holiday page, taken by ... Allan

#13 revisited - you make your own...

2010-06-02T00:14:00.000+03:00

You make your own luck
maybe fashion it
out of some haphazard plan
like some crazy pattern in a rock

You make your own luck
maybe keeping that promise
and it coming back
to pay you two fold

You make your own luck
even if thirteen is all around:

the thirteenth stop,

13 on the book

on the Tallinaa Leivake

and on the row of the Plane

embrace your luck and it will embrace you

by Ian
___
photo by Ian in Tallinn 2010

adventure #3

2010-05-26T00:11:00.000+03:00

adventure is
when your head aches
as much as your feet..

it takes a few days
before you can
tred either path

by Ian
___
photo by Ian of the Moon next to Town Hall Tower in Tartu 2010

#32 - 2010 - Loyalty

2010-05-19T00:07:00.000+03:00

Loyalty is like the trusting of the sun
After a long snowy winter
with a glimpse of melting
before the sun
shows its loyalty
and it comesback and the snow melts
and so like the sun
I come back
chasing a wintry path
following a promise left last summer
but somehow I was warmed
more then I warmed others

by Ian
___
photo by Ian of the Sun in Helsinki 2010

Estonian Recipes on BBC and elsewhere!

2010-05-13T21:06:00.000+03:00

The Hairy Bikers are two cooks in Britain. One from The North East and the other from Cumbria I believe. They are very entertaining and do do variety of recipes. From Raw Fish (Gravalax) from Norway to Estonian Kringle
Their new Mum's know best book is currently out, whether you want to buy this is up to you :)
However there are a few links to Estonian recipes and things are here
from facebook :

and a link here to the bbc page with a video (if it will allow in your region) and a pdf of some recipes (which appear in book)
which include lovely pork recipes and some nice desserts (probably :))

Please note that the hairy bikers dont appear in the video on the page..(which is why no one looks like their description :))

but other recipes can be found here

and their own page can be found here

So enjoy your Estonian Cooking!
___
post by Ian, title modified by Katrin
photo by Ian of a Wolf looking at Food in Helsinki 2010

#30 - 2010 - There once was

2010-05-12T00:05:00.000+03:00

There once was a man from Tartu
who didnt know what he could do
maybe travel to Tallinn
with a le coq and a gin
but walking back be to far to Tartu

A Tartu limerick by Ian

___
photo by Ian in Tartu 2010
another photo of the same place in 2009 here http://palupohja2009.blogspot.com/2009/11/quick-tour-of-estonian-music.html

Estonia Quiz until 31 May - Win a trip!

2010-05-05T12:02:00.000+03:00

Take a quiz and win a 6-day-trip for two to Estonia!
http://quiz.mfa.ee/quiz_2010
___

photo by Ian of his First Sight of Estonia in 2010

#28 - Summer house (my title :))

2010-05-05T00:01:00.000+03:00

It was strange
in the summer house
not because the house was strange
not because the company was different
not because it wasnt summer with snow being all around
but because it was summer inside
with butterflies awake
trying to escape
into the cold and probably last days
They should have enjoyed
like me
the summer house more

by Ian

Photo in summerhouse of butterfly looking out to the snow

#26 - 2010 - Pedja river

2010-04-28T23:41:00.000+03:00




Pedja river,
        long and wide
              winding river
   Never seeming to end,
but must slowly
   meet the sea.
        Never seeming to 
                  have a start
          like the universe
   an intriguing mystery.
Except we found
   the river source
           in a
             hut. 

by Ian

photo by Ian in Simuna - the start of the Pedja river - the river that ends near Palupõhja...

#24 - reprise

2010-04-26T17:25:00.000+03:00

Train to Preston
Much snow now gone
and a small chimney on my house
near a small bus stop
friendly family
seemingly foreign language
but my own
personal questions
drive to Leyland
the place of low lands
flatish land
Many tales to tell once again
of flatlands
but for now

sleep ahead
and then I agree is the rest of my life

by Ian based on Katrin's
__
photo by Ian of the Start of the Pedja River in Simuna 2010

#24 part 4 - Tallinn

2010-04-25T17:21:00.000+03:00

Finding Hotel
through melting snow
change shoes over again
they look a mess
o well
just a little late
finding Virge sat
at city hall
Piret arrive later
Another mini tour
Here you might remember this - Our hostel of last year
"Yes that's where I saw you last" I said
"You saying see you sometime"
Then over to monument
that I couldn't remember
and crossing over to steps
for Moscow Olympics
Then 2 snowballs in back
and HELLO HELLO
from Piret
Discussion of Stalker film
Then back over around town
Past Hotel Queen stayed at
and finally up to Toompea for lowering of flag and anthem
But Virge shouts REVENGE!
and throws a snowball at Piret
and a snowball starts
one narrowly misses my head
Virge sounds dissapointed
Finally we stop and the flag lowers
although the anthem was some snippet which wasnt so good
better in the morning
Can be heard all around!
Pancake place
which was busy last time
my pancacke with longnameicouldntpronounce but recognices had Juust
in it, was mushrooms and blue cheese
Ate whilst asking about Siim
Then off to find music in music festival
went to see Jazz
but Virge wanted to see Brainstorm
too expensive for both
So Bus
and bus ticket
which Piret pinched and punched for me
No Katrin this time

Insteresting Latvian bands
singing pandas
but Virge not translating this time :)
but I know that all songs are about the same thing
bopping Estonians
Screaming Latvians
Saku to drink
whilst we sat
then stood and bopped
and avoided the cameras
hopefully
Brainstorm on
good tunes
Never seeming to finish
even after encore
we leave with one tune playing on
Virge Taxi come first
Goodbyes and hugs
and once again "see you sometime"
Taxi with Piret
asking about Palupõhja
not this year
but one in future
and rememebering
a Kalev Chocolate
that Siim had asked to give me
finally hotel
Piret out for a hug
and taxi going off
but luckily she stopped it again
me saying hope she gets home
off to sleep if i can

but waking early trying to
catch sunrise but wasnt
when expected so back
and some more sleep
before off back to Helsinki
Bye Estonia for now

by Ian
___
photo by Ian in Tallinn 2010

#24 part 3 - Kadri

2010-04-24T17:17:00.000+03:00

Alone again
wander and walk over bridges
one was 68 steps over
but later only 62 steps back
I write silly verses
until I think Kadri is back
from Grand Canyon
A nervous call
Right number?
right person answering?
Tere? Hello?
O Hello is this Ian?
Before I could really say
Yes
A cocoa, definately not hot chocolate
and fish soup with useful translation
A talk of travels
some photos of summerhouse
invited to Kadri home
Son playing new game from London
A drink
and some potato porridge
A look through brochures
from the Canyon
with some stories
No photos as with husband
now in Mexico
Talk of nature photos
what is nature
a talk of British Competition with wolf jumping
which was disqualified

Old book of Tartu

1980
Interesting, as not sure whether its promoting soviet or Estonia
Then to a page with old black and white photo
Again a deer
with her Bambi
Exactly the same
I laughed

Then
See you tomorrows and lift back

In the morning
Wondering if Kadri
was Sleeping off the flight
Another nervous call
Hi!
And then and impressive Tere hommikust
in car
as practised the morning before to Katrin and Teet

Shopping Centre
with Ice Hockey Pitch
and look for dad's present
hopefully a leaning flass
with leaning building
from Tartu
in past explained by Katrin
one side based on wood
the other on stone wall
I just hope the glass
survives
Anyway a postcard bought
and sent with Tartu Bridges
Also Tallinna Bread bought for train
Back to house
off to National Museum
This time no one paid for me
was free on Fridays
Kids camp inside
playing stringed instruments
and then someone with Estonian bagpipes
Different colour dress
different tools
different ways of life
timeline through ages
timeline through personal stories
which got to a Kadri's kids favourite pizza place
across the road
maybe not so good looking
but pizza good tasting
pizza all gone this time
A look around another hidden art gallery
This one scary
some distorted comic then distorted pencil drawings
of some nightmares
with a video playing with sound track of some other one
I said I hoped not to sleep on train
Then off to Train
with Kadri saying
I hope this was as expected
Yes it was
Good to see again
with tales of adventures
and stories of Estonia
and friendly times once more

So a quick good bye and off to train
but not before wanting to see photos of Grand Canyon and all

So on train I travel to Tallinn and eat my bread

by Ian
___
photo by Ian in 2010

#24 part 2-2 - Next day

2010-04-23T17:15:00.000+03:00

Next day
Church only seen from bus by Katrin
and saw the statue of person
who made my pronounciation of Emajõgi all wrong
then
Zoological Museum
exhibits the same as when
Katrin was a child
butterflies
with many colours
the first determining the summer colour
a peacock butterfly stands out
a stork taking and bringing souls
An Australian Bird
An actual peacock
Then a deer
with bambi; I thought
and memorised.
Then the exhibit
she always liked to see
two wolves attacking an
elk or moose we could not decide
the moose looking likely to lose
but hasn't for all these years
The rock museum
metorite from Simuna
pointed out by Teet
a guestbook writing
of a great museum from me from Great Britain
a cafe
like museums
would never have found alone
cafe mix of soviet and new
paying for food again
2nd hand bookshop
üks Kroon Kids book for Katrin's Kids
convinved 2 books for myself
Uni library
Money trip to ATM
not allowed in library unless we
pretend to be in a conference
Tartu University History Museum
In the ruins of a church
History abound
Katrins intwined
Names mostly starting with K
Prince Charles' signature
A view of the arches of the ruins
back way through university
Art Museum
our names spelt in Greek
Main hall closed
Someone's office from Katrin's Uni days
closed too
John's Church
This time up the tower
Although had to get unlocked
Disoriented
Bells of Peter and Paul
Uni finally spotted
Walles inside still leaning
Organ in wrong place

Many things remembered
Many forgotten

A walk back to the bus station
"You should walk over this bridge and count the steps"
before some more bad good byes by me
but a hope of maybe seeing English music
and visiting England
and maybe or not seeing in Tallinn
a hug and Bye..for now

As I have to go home sometime to fill the blog

by Ian (waiting at terminal for the ferry)
___
photo by Ian of the weathervane of St. John's Church in Tartu 2010
links by Katrin mostly from Google Search

#24 part 2 - Train to Tartu

2010-04-22T17:06:00.000+03:00

Train to Tartu
Place of Good thoughts --- :)
but unfamiliar part of town
past national museum
University Corporations
University Colours
"Was that the one that created the Estonian flag?"
Student residence to drop off things
A cooker in room
but no time to cook
but swapped wet shoes for dry
Off to meet more Estonians
over a viking bridge
Katrin on the swing
then another
I was right that Estonains like swings
But not meet others here
A Chinese restaurant
they always go
but was too bust this time
An Italian restaurant this time
"Did you joke about paying?"
It wouldnt have been very funny
Pizza too big
Rest for a bit
Meet even more Estonians
on way to Oscar Wilde
Interesting conversations
on music
well in English
In Estonian
Schools
Off to Big Ben
Phonebox the wrong shape,
Winston Churchill portrait hanging on wall
Pub is not really more English then England
feel tired
but thought too rude to leave
no concentration on conversation
beer
or football
Finally after a fun but tiring night
set off my way
up Riia Street
did not want no short cuts offered
and right at Cinema
or else might end up in Riga

by Ian
___
photo by Ian in Tartu 2010

#24 - aptale :)

2010-04-21T21:17:00.000+03:00

train to Rakke
much snow again
and a big chimney
near a small bus-station
friendly people
foreign language
personal questions
bus to Väike-Tammiku
the place of the small Oak Forest
talk with a neighbour
a phone call
walk over a small hill
to Kaasiku Talu
the Farm of the forest of birch
much snow
warm house
ancient way of living
candle light
and big big quietness
specially after the
radio has been shut down
potato soup
instead of a porridge
Baltic herring
and home-made bread
not much room left
for pancakes
and snowing more and more
more pancakes in the
morning
and a porridge cooked
through the night
a wet walk
on another hill
until the path ends
with more snow
a friendly car
to Simuna
the start of the Pedja river
a story of the spring
with the name of a disease
maybe curing water
taking water
small house on spring
and a swing
on the other side
walk by the church
parking by school
another house
not so ancient
drums and guitar
making music
in a cold room
through Käru village
to Emumägi
the hill of the
Australian bird
running fast and far
"Enter here with clean thoughts"
a funny hut
of the roots of trees
watchtower
and pancake picnic
in the sun
no way to the
other hut
to be seen the
next time
Rakke again
a silent cat
another hill
Rakke Linnamãgi
or Town Hill
with a song festival ground
and a ski-jump tower
another view
back through the snow
the place of a church
burned down
years ago
walk through Rakke
that has everything
Limestone factory
Post Office
Youth Center
Elders' Center
on top of the Youth's one
shops closed and open
railway and bus stations
library
pharmacy
apteek in Estonian
school, Kindergarten
pupils' house
museum
doctor and dentist
even a hairdresser
internet in library
nothing on Tartu
waiting for the train
no arguing about the tickets
and here comes the train
good bye my 24 hours
in Rakke
Tartu ahead
and so is
the rest of my life

by Katrin in train from Rakke to Tartu
___
photo by Ian of the Chimney of the Old Limestone Factory in Rakke 2010

a decent book to help learn Estonian?

2010-04-20T19:55:00.000+03:00

no idea about decency but the only ones I found:

http://www.raamatukoi.ee/cgi-bin/raamat?166793

http://www.raamatukoi.ee/cgi-bin/raamat?157080

Does anyone know any possibility to learn Estonian online? Or a decent book? Or a good Estonian bookstore to ask?
___
photo by Ian of the New Arched Bridge over the Unpronouncable Emajõgi in Tartu 2010

how do you make potato porridge?

2010-04-19T16:38:00.000+03:00

in Estonian http://www.nami-nami.ee/recipe.php?q=detail&pID=870

---

in Estonian - English with the help of GoogleTranslate:

Ingredients:
1 kg kartulit - 1 kg potatoes
2 dl sooja piima - 200 ml ( I think?) warm milk
50 g võid - 50 g butter
1 tl soola - 1 teaspoon salt
0.25 tl musta pipart - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Valmistamine: - Preparation:
Koori ja tükelda kartulid, keeda soolaga maitsestatud vees pehmeks. - Peel and chop the potatoes, boil in water seasoned with salt until soft.
Vala vesi ära ja lase kartulitel potis veidi auruda. - Pour the water and let the potatoes in a pot just evaporate.
Tambi kartulid pudrunuia abil katki, lisades samal ajal vähehaaval kuuma piima ja tükeldatud või. - Break the potatoes with pudrunui, while slowly adding the hot milk and butter.
Klopi puder puulusikaga kohevaks. - Whisk the porridge fluff with wooden spoon.
Maitsesta soola ja pipraga ja serveeri. - Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

---

Some additions by Katrin: I melt the butter in milk while warming the milk up before adding it to smashed potatoes. And you can add anything besides the salt and pepper - like all kinds of herbs (including carrot tops :) or onion fried with or without bacon.

And last but not least - eat it with Baltic Herring!
__
photo by Ian of Baltic Herrings being eaten in Helsinki 2010

#23 - 2010 - somethings

2010-04-14T01:16:00.000+03:00

somethings have
no words
just think

someplaces have
no guides
just see

somefood has
no description
just eat

some times have
no minutes
just Thank

by Ian (Train from Rakke)

photo by Ian of a root hut in Emumägi (the place to enter with good thoughts) 2010

#21 - 2010 - when you feel lost

2010-04-14T01:11:00.000+03:00

when you feel lost in
a white wilderness waiting
for a stop that you not sure is
when

someone says they
recognise you from
the place you were
last in.

Like the world acknowledging your existance.

Just before a friendly face
appears through the
falling freezing snow
to signal

you are here for sure!

by Ian

photo by Ian of Snow People in Emumägi 2010

#20 - 2010 - a poet's dream

2010-04-14T01:07:00.000+03:00

A Poet's dream is impossible
the dream
the ultimate task

to describe something
so perfectly
precise

but yet never achieving

it's like writing about
the snow
every word
every letter
is a step away from that blank page across
the landscape

by ian (train from Rakke)

photo by Ian in Tartu Toomemägi 2010

#18-2010 - and it came

2010-04-13T00:59:00.000+03:00

and
it
came

THUNDEROUSLY
quiet

.
.
.

POUNDINGLY
soft

.
.

.

SQUASHABLY
unstoppable

. . .

It snowed
and it Snowed

and I waited...

by Ian

(Photo on same trip but in Helsinki...)

#14-2010 - another dot

2010-04-11T00:57:00.000+03:00

Another dot on the horizon
but this one doesnt turn into
a gull, boat or floating ice

It grows
like strong plants in the sun
and heads for the sky

Like little seeds
I can't tell if I know them
but once fully grown
I recognize

I recognize my temporary home.

by Ian (Ferry across to Tallinn) (Photo on Ferry with Tallinn on Horizon)

and for people who want to learn and experience Estonia/UK

2010-04-10T23:45:00.000+03:00

People who do may be interested in the following:

First of all in 2011 Tallinn (along with Turku , Finland) is the Capital of Culture for Europe. A few years ago in 2008 Liverpool was the Capital of Culture and was a major success and included many events including a big mechanical spider which climbed down a tower block and paraded along the street. I was lucky enough to see this whilst travelling to and back from Stockholm via Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
I am sure there are a lot of events planned for Tallinn too. The Official website can be found here : http://www.tallinn2011.ee/?id=91 (In English but other languages available :)) and also the current events can be found by downloading a PDF here
http://www.tallinn2011.ee/?id=258
It would be an ideal time to visit Tallinn and Estonia and learn a lot from it be it by Music, Literature , Plays or whatever is going on at the time.

Now probably not really in the main vein but maybe good time to visit the UK is London 2012 Olympics. The various Olympic events are of course taking part in London but there are events around other places too including Manchester (Old Trafford, if that counts as Manchester? :)) and Weymouth. Of course there are great events on like the opening event which always seems try and out do the last country. So if you love sport and want to see the UK maybe this is the best time to come? The offical page is here: http://www.london2012.com/(Please accept my apologies for lack of other language options! Pesky English!)
and of course I dont guarantee that this will go ahead as the end of the world is 2012 sometime... maybe.

Of course these are just two major events but there are plenty of other events and lovely places to see anyhow.
___
photo by Ian of Estonia 2010

#1-2010 - so dark

2010-04-08T00:27:00.000+03:00

So dark is life
like the universe
expanding
racing away
with no hope in catching it
until you see
the little twinkle
that you can catch
can hold for a while
and hopefully meet again

by ian

and photo by Ian in Kaasiku 2010

Uncyclopedia about Regions of England

2010-04-07T23:12:00.000+03:00

Nothing as good as Estonia but
here you go

Quote 1:
" Lancastrians, so far removed from the others that scientists are considering changing their classification to a wholly different species".

Quote 2:
"Although claiming to be a separate country, the West-West country, locally known as Wales has in fact been owned by the British East India company"

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Regions_of_England
___
photo by Ian in Tartu University Museum 2010

Uncyclopedia About Estonia

2010-04-07T12:07:00.000+03:00

Estonia, (pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove) commonly misspelled as Kohuke, Boneraniia, Stonia, Stanistan, Setomaa, e-Stonia, Elbonia, Estoina, Iceland, MiR, I'm stoned or Australia, is the most important country in South-East-Western Afrasia, where everybody is stoned, being recognized by those with brains as the world's number one superpower because of its enormous army and cultural influence in the world, its colony Bolanga, and, last and definitely the least, because of its infamous shashlyk. ...
More nice Uncyclopedic information here http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Estonia

Quite Creative :)
(and don't take it too seriously - Uncyclopedia is an encyclopedia full of misinformation and utter lies.)

---
written by anonymous authors, copied by Katrin
___
photo by Ian of the Estonian Independance Poem in Tallinn 2010

Why am I here?

2010-04-03T01:48:00.000+03:00

Why am I here
they keep asking me
and I have asked myself
so many times

And I have asked myself
in many places
looking in each corner for the truth
but if there was any it had seemingly gone

I once tried looking in Valhalla
but it was snowed up
and it was definately closed
what can that tell me about life?

Another time viewing beauty
in all the scenic landscapes
but the loveliness soon escaped me
fading like a dreamlike memory

And yet again trying to find "the zone" in cities
with the bustling busy backstreets
which are full of tourist facts and figures
the only meaning told through friendly faces

I thought maybe I was here to spend all my money
I tried that once
buying ice lollipops in the snow
but still hang onto 5 EEKs in my wallet

Maybe I am here to keep a promise
Something that would hold me duty bound
but even this has no meaning
without a currency behind it

Finally it occured it was a subconcious thought
the mallard duck's wing flashing
its colours of here and now
but surely one would be foolish chasing birds?

So why am i here?

A friend asks just before I leave
If I had done everything I wanted
and Yes.

I saw you again.

by Ian (mallard in helsinki)

And yet Another Estonian Photo Contest

2010-03-30T18:15:00.000+03:00

http://www.dorpatensis.ee/activities/past-events/photo-competition

Foundation for Science and Liberal Arts Domus Dorpatensis announces a photo competition within the project "Tolerant Tartu"

Topic: TOLERANCE IN AND AROUND US

How do you see tolerance in your surroundings? Where can tolerance be hidden? How tolerant is Tartu and Estonia? Capture interesting moments connected to this topic and win a prize! Approach to the topic with creativity! Everybody is welcome to participate!

Send your photo(s) by e-mail in JPG format by 5 April 2010 to the address dorpatensis@dorpatensis.ee
Make sure to add your name and contact details. Each author can submit up to 3 entries. All images should be accompanied by a caption and if possible also with a supporting text describing the "story" behind the picture. Please keep the file size of the pictures under 1 MB.

The photos will be judged by a jury consisting of members from Domus Dorpatensis, the Tartu City Government, the Tartu Art School and the University of Tartu.

The best photos will be displayed as a slideshow at the final conference of the project "Tolerant Tartu" on 23 April 2010 in the Domus Dorpatensis (Raekoja plats 1/Ülikooli 7). The authors of the three best images will get a prize which will be handed over at the conference. The prizes are gift vouchers amounting to 300, 200 and 100 EEK for the photo shop "Photo Point".

For more information contact us via e-mail at dorpatensis@dorpatensis.ee or call 733 1345.

We wish you good ideas – have fun taking the photos!

The project is supported by the National Foundation for Civil Society.

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photo by Ian in Tartu

Ian's BBC Story

2010-03-30T02:18:00.000+03:00

Introduction

It was mid 2009 and I needed a new adventure. I needed something different to happen this year, maybe a holiday to a new place for me. Now I am not a person for sitting on a beach and soaking up the rays or anything like that. Then again thinking about it I wouldn’t say I was the biggest dancer, rapper or woodchopper. I didn’t know these things would happen in such a great extent when I booked my volunteering holiday to Eastern Europe. Of course we had been given details on the nature reserve we would be staying , and how the nearest shop was miles down the road. However I couldn't guess what I would learn, the people I would meet or how many mosquitos would bite me!

For me it was a trip to get away from it all and hopefully do a little to help in the world. A trip that had many surprises, many rules broken and many familiarities in a place in the middle of nowhere and unfamiliar.

There were many adventures and stories on the trip which may be left untold here. I would however like to show you a glimpse of the holiday into the unknown...

Or at least I thought it was the unknown before I set off for Estonia... and
how did I end up being serenaded to?

Story

I don’t like being the centre of attention. I don't enjoy all those eyes looking at me. I know am no one special. However breaking rules sometimes is good. This year I wanted a new adventure. I had set off to a place that was unknown to me, a language that was only similar to Finnish and people I knew nothing about. However I ended up here on this evening in Estonia...
We were in a renovated farm house that was used as a nature reserve school. It was literally in the middle of nowhere with the nearest shop being many miles along a bumpy country road. The mosquitoes were probably buzzing outside and maybe the racoon dogs were calling, but we couldn’t hear all that inside. We gathered around a circular wooden table. It was the last night that the Estonian volunteers were spending with us and they would be leaving after lunch the next day. Why I was here was a good question that not only echoed through the night but also the holiday.

On the first day the twenty volunteers and leaders from Estonia, America and Britain were discussing why we were here.
I explained
“In the past I've volunteered with the BTCV in England and helped to build fences and swan nest platforms. I say helped. I mean I tied a bit of string or something”. I remember people smiled at that.
“I also wanted an adventure and see somewhere I had never been before and this looked great”
These were my reasons and everyone had their own reasons.

This last night as we gathered around the circular wooden table people had given reasons to go off to sleep in their tents. A few of us had stayed up to do some weird and wonderful dances. From dancing holding other peoples noses to another called the Happy Beer Maker’s song where we danced on the floor, on chairs and then under the table. Unfortunately for Ellen, this was the point she decided to come inside for something. She was greeted to a dozen bottoms stuck out from underneath a table, which I don’t think is a common occurrence in Wales.
What is the etiquette to seeing 12 bottoms in the air under a table?
I jokingly said “It’s traditional” with a shrug and a smile; well it sounded like a good reason to me even if i knew it wasn't true. She made her excuses and escaped the scene. After all the dancing a few more people left until it was just me and most of the Estonian volunteers.
I forget who; but I was told
“You have to stay to represent the rest of the group”
I smiled and thought I wasn't going to argue with 6 women and anyhow I had my reasons. I looked in the middle of the table where some mushrooms that had been handpicked were floating in vinegar. They were contained in a clear glass bowl with a light hung down, highlighting it up like an art feature.

This reminded me of the mushroom and blueberry picking from one of the days, I was part of the blueberry picking group. Kadri had shown us where to go blueberry picking and we collected jars full. The funny thing is that I am colour blind and so picking something of a particular colour was quite amusing to myself. But everything I picked was bluish in colour so everything was ok! The food we picked and the food we bought was created into wonderful meals during the week by all of us but especially treated to great Estonian cookery.

Anyhow Kadri wasn't picking blueberries this night but was capturing blues and all sorts of colours with her camera as she had been during the holiday. She was also now contributing in a unique way to the singing that had replaced the weird dancing. Some traditional Estonian... Rapping! On the other side of the table Virge decided she would float some tealight candles in the art feature amongst the mushrooms. I hoped that the mushrooms wouldn’t have a waxy taste in the morning!

Those tealights ,looking back, seemed to symbolise our first days of volunteering. On those first days we were chopping down shrubbery and burning them in a massive fire. Of course the temperature outside was already 26c , warm enough for me , but the fire kept the mosquitoes off us. This gave us an awful dilemma: Either get burnt or get bitten by ten zillion mosquitoes. We were still getting to know everyone but the mosquitoes soon wanted to get familiar with us. We were bitten on heads, arms and on the hand exactly where we needed to later hold crowbars and other implements. As for my choice, the evidence is in the burn holes in my hat. I had a go at chopping with a little machete but I feared my life with it and so passed it back to Virge who was hundred times better then me. I instead decided to drag stuff to the fire, no skill needed here! So we cleared the path back...

Back at the evening I had numerous songs in Estonian sung to me. Luckily I had Virge who tried explaining the songs:
“This one is about a boy and a girl and lake and love and everything like that”
I guessed the next song was about the same theme but I was wrong. However this did not matter as I was enjoying the culture and creativity in singing. Many songs had now been sung, none that I could join in as I only knew a few words in Estonian. The night drew to its end with people saying good night and whispering as not to wake anyone who were asleep in the nature school .Although it was probably too late to be quiet now. Katrin was still sat there and she said how she had enjoyed the night of singing and amusingly to me told me:
“That at one stage we were asking each other why you were still sat here?”
I laughed, I had kind of guessed that even if I didn’t understand a word.
“And we wondered if you really wanted to know the explanations”
I smiled maybe I was just enjoying the night. I disagreed that I was at the suggestion I was too scared to leave. I tried to explain my thoughts at the time but I am sure they were no use. I had come a long way both in mileage and spiritually. People had come from strangers to friends. Everyone had been well fed on stories, food and friendship. A language I didn't know I guessed what had been said. A place I didn't know now seemed like home. They say that time is precious and so I was giving this to them all.
Katrin said
“I think you deserve a hug”. And then good night.
I didn't know why I deserved anything. As I said before I am no one special. I was just sat up being a representative for all those volunteers that I unfortunately do not have space to introduce in this story. So here I am writing this to try and explain the night and explaining singing. But at the end of the day I guess its hard to explain singing, I think Virge would agree! You just have to enjoy each note as it flows.
So I braved being the centre of attention I broke a few rules. I felt I had been part of a unique evening, even if I was there just to leave a good story for everyone else to tell. I went back to my tent with a smile and felt that i was sleeping under the colours of blue black and white.

Epilogue

This story was written with the people I could get permission at the time.
And I guess I still dont have the permissions so will give you initials :)
There was also two "P's" with wine, one with homemade wine and the other with a bottle. The bottle I was asked to pour out for others, but poured too much :) Was asked to drink someones glass as it was too much!

But another ending I toyed with was this:
The next day the Estonians were leaving
and we all sat in a circle telling about our time there and our highlight.

I said that my highlight was the night before, which I was sung to.

"I" who was there the night before and been explaining some meanings too then explained how I was seranded to and other volunteers said that they were sad they missed out.

Yes I was lucky!

And If I was to explain singing now... I would just point to the fact that I have been back to visit since

http://palupohja2009.blogspot.com/2010/01/ians-story-of-palupohja-holiday-on-bbc.html
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photo by Ian of the monument of a great Estonian writer Friedebert Tuglas in Tartu Toomemägi 2010

Palupõhja Early Spring Family Holiday - Varakevadised peretalgud Palupõhjas

2010-03-12T07:49:00.000+02:00

Date: March 25-27, 2010

For anyone who has found this site , people have been, have wanted to go, and people who long to go back
there is a volunteering holiday coming up in Palupohja at the end of this month.

Good chance to do some good things in fresh air and have fun around it.
Katrin was there on the Autumn Holiday and it was lovely and fun as always.

info in Estonian http://www.talgud.ee/talgud/2010/palupohja-1
for getting the info in English try google translate or ask siim@elfond.ee

the autumn family holiday post here - http://palupohja2009.blogspot.com/2009/10/palupohja-holiday.html

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text by Katrin partly copied from post by Ian
photo from the talgud.ee website, looks like a moment from our summer 2009 Palupõhja Holiday

Another Estonian Photo Contest

2010-01-21T19:12:00.000+02:00

Estonian announcement http://www.looduseomnibuss.ee/node/1169

A short overview in English with the help from Google Translate:

The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2010. Results on April 18th.
Go to download images: http://www.looduseomnibuss.ee/laf2010/
In the category "Maailma loodus" (Nature of the World) can submit photos taken outside Estonia, in other categories only photos taken in Estonia.
The competition is organized in three age groups: children (up to a 13, inclusive), youth (up to 19, inclusive) and 'Üldarvestus' (the age of participants is not limited).Each photo will participate in only one age group in one category.
Category A - Animals and other living creatures.
Category B - "Animals in action".
Category C - "Plants and Mushrooms".
Category D - "landscape".
E-category - "People in Nature". Images that reflect the human and natural harmony, as well as conflicts.
Category F - "Form Games in nature." Shapes and patterns in nature. Can focus on the depiction of nature in abstract form.
G-category, "Nature of the World". Nature photos taken outside Estonia.

Each participant can submit up to 15 photos.

The length of the longer side of the image file must be at least 2000 pixels and max 6000 pixels.
.jpg file max 5 MB.
There are prizes too :)

Further information: tel 648 1740, 56 476 297, 56 483 480
info@looduseomnibuss.ee
www.looduseomnibuss.ee

previous competition post here http://palupohja2009.blogspot.com/2009/12/fotokonkurss-elamusi-emajoel.html
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photo by Ian of the Man Cleaning the Roof of Snow and Answering the Mobile Phone in Tartu 2010

Ian's story of Palupõhja Holiday on BBC!

2010-01-05T11:34:00.000+02:00

everyone should go here read it and click like this... http://www.bbc.co.uk/mystory/stories/discovery/167775/

see also #5 and the photo there :)

we'll copy the full story here when bbc allows it ...
until then, use the link!

update: the full story now posted here http://palupohja2009.blogspot.com/2010/03/ians-bbc-story.html
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photo of the Bell named Paulus by Ian Paul(!) in the tower of Tartu Jaani Kirik (St John's Church) 2010