Source: Jarek Jõepera
29.03.2021
Spring has already arrived and Easter is now following in its footsteps. In nature, Easter time coincides with new life and new beginnings. And while the birds get busy building their nests and the sun keeps warming up the soil, Estonians get busy tapping birches for juice and wrapping eggs into onion peels to boil them in pieces of cloth. (To create Easter egg patterns with dyes straight from nature, of course!) Easter customs and springtime traditions vary throughout Estonian regions. Want to learn more about the ways Estonians celebrate Easter and the time that surrounds it? Have a look below...
In nature lies the medicine the world seeks. This time of the year is all about restarts, fresh energy, soul healing and making yourself feel rejuvenated. Estonians have always had a spiritual connection to their natural environment and have turned to nature for remedies, strength and healing for centuries. There are restorative healing powers in Estonia's nature, wellness treatments and folk wisdom, some of them well known and some of them less so. How good is your knowledge of Estonia's healing powers? Put yourself to the test and find out!
When spring arrives with floods... that are awaited for. One destination among Estonia's 6 diverse national parks has a uniquely watery way of standing out in spring. In Soomaa National Park, the early spring floods render up to 17,500 hectares of lower forests, roads and meadows only navigatable by water. The floods start when one of the local rivers overflows its banks, ushering in an otherworldly fifth season and a magical way to immerse yourself in nature. Especially in a canoe!
Eating (in) the wild. Spring and Easter come with an abundance of vitamin-rich green shoots that nourish everyone who has missed the sun during the long winter. Be it cowslip, spruce shoots, fresh wild garlic, dandelion or nettles - Estonians have recognised their health benefits for thousands of years. Read more about the foods that you can eat straight from nature in springtime. And then go and forage for some edible plants yourself!
For Setos, Easter comes with egg "battling". Setos are an ethnic and linguistic minority living in Setomaa, South-East Estonia. They are renowned, admired and loved for their impressive vocal heritage, traditional villages, food, and many festivals and celebrations that combine some or all of these elements. Setos are people who truly love to rejoice. During Easter, munaloomka takes centre stage in Setomaa. Munamloomka is an area made of sand that is intended for egg rolling: you have to roll your egg down the loomka (the slide) and hit another egg with it. If you are successful, you gain a point and a chance to try again. See it herefor yourself!
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Easter is almost here! Here's to celebrating the power of spring, nature and new cycles of life:
https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/kerli-tips-homemade-remedies
For more information on travelling to Estonia please visit https://www.visitestonia.com/en
Before planning a trip, check out website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additional info:
Kadri Gröön | Head of International Media and Gastronomy
(+372) 556 56 5615 | www.visitestonia.com
