BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Yet another record for Estonia who leads the EU in the use of amphetamines ...

Estonia leads the EU in the use of amphetamines by young people and holds second place after the Czech Republic for ecstasy use, the results of a fresh European study indicate.

According to the report by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) published Nov. 22, 5.5 percent of Estonian residents in the 15-24 age group had used amphetamine within the past year. This is the highest ratio in Europe, with Latvia reporting three and Lithuania a little over one percent, according to the results of the survey carried by Postimees.

More than six percent had used ecstasy, which places Estonia second after the Czech Republic, where the percentage was 12.

Katri Abel-Ollo, researcher with Estonia's national drug and addiction monitoring center, explained that the Estonian data reflect the situation in 2003, whereas the figures for other countries usually are either for 2004 or 2005. This could mean that the current ratios are even higher.

Xmas 2007 in Tallinn

* Putting the jõu back into jõulud, next Monday will see the erection on Town Hall Square of Tallinn's premier Christmas tree. At a neck-craning 20 metres tall, this year's tree is being trucked in from the 'Kadrina commune' (as they refer to themselves on the English version of their website: http://www.kadrina.ee/atp/?id=799) in Lääne-Viru county. For those interested in following its progress, here is a timeline of events:

Monday 26/11/07

*08.00 : Felling of the tree to commence in Ülo Kais' garden in Kadrina.

*11.00 : Cavalcade to set off for Tallinn.

*13.00-14.00 : Tree to arrive at Town Hall Square and erection to commence.

Wednesday 28/11/07

*Decoration of tree with lights to be completed.

Sunday 02/12/07

*14.00 : Lights to be switched on and advent candles to be lit.

The Kadrina tree was selected to represent the city from among ten entries received in a public competition. The tree alone set City Hall (or whoever paid for it) back 14,160 kroons, while transport, installation and decoration work will cost a further 53,100 kroons and eventual disassembly and chopping up for fire wood or whatever another 33,040 kroons. Total : 100,300 kroons.

And it will be worth every cent. There's something truly magical about wandering around the stalls of the Christmas market on Town Hall Square amid the falling snow with the tree all lit up and the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread in the air. Much as I love our traditional lazy poolside Boxing Days of cold champagne and turkey sandwiches in Australia, nowhere does Christmas quite like northern Europe.

Posted by phutty

Rüütli named new Estonia coach

Tarmo Rüütli has been appointed coach of the Estonia national team, the country's football federation said on Thursday.

Rüütli, coach of champions FC Levadia Tallinn, replaces Dane Viggo Jensen, who was given a six-month contract in July with the prospect of an extension.

But Jensen failed to lift the side and Estonia finished second from bottom in Euro 2008 qualifying group E with only seven points from 12 games.

Rüütli has coached Levadia since 2003 and the team's 2007 league title was its third in four years. Only formed in 1998, the club has won the league championship five times.

Rüütli will train both the national side and Levadia in 2008 before leaving his club duties to focus entirely on the Estonia role.

Tallinn strong rise in house prices in the past decade is over !

Robert Anderson

Like revellers plotting stag weekends abroad, buy-to-let investors are always looking for the "new Prague" - the latest, hottest destination in central and eastern Europe.

Tallinn, the Estonian capital, has become a magnet for both those seeking one last wild weekend before they are married and those eager to speculate on up-and-coming property markets. Cheap Easyjet flights from London are whisking both types of visitors to the Baltic coast.

Unfortunately, the party may have already moved on, and Tallinn has been left with a hangover. Property prices have risen by 10 per cent to 15 per cent a year for the past eight years, according to UK agency Property in Estonia, with growth peaking about the time of European accession in 2004. But the market is predicted to stay flat or even fall this year.

Apartments in Tallinn's medieval old town already start at €5,000 a square metre, above what you would have to pay in Prague's, much larger, historic central district.

Fears that Tallinn prices have converged too fast with European Union levels - propelled by over-eager local and foreign buyers and fiercely competitive banks - coincide with more general concerns over the overheating Baltic economies and the global credit crunch.

Ace of Base 28. nov. Tallinna Linnahallis

Valitud üritus : ACE OF BASE 28.11.07 20:00   TALLINNA LINNAHALL, EE

Vali aeg ja koht
	Saali plaan

Hetkel müügis olevad kohad	Vali hinnaklass	Vali piletite kogus
--Sektor-- Sektor A Sektor B Sektor C Sektor D Sektor E Sektor F Sektor G Sektor H Sektor I	--Hinnaklass--V hinnaklass ( 395.00 / 295.00)	Arv12345678910

Lisa järgmised piletid

The Leech with a taste for oranges

TALLINN - “In the year 2000 a small larvae started its life in the center of an orange. A regular orange, not anything too fancy or special, but boy was it tasty. The larvae grew and grew while eating its way out of its tasty but claustrophobic home to enter the world as a full-grown leech. Full of lust for all things new and oranges, he headed out into the wild, moving slowly but surely, from one orange grove to another, avoiding being stomped or trampled from adventure to adventure. One day, he will get wings and fly amongst the whales. And while no one is quite sure when, the monkey keeps saying  it will not take long, it will not take long.”

This is how the alternative rock band Leech introduce themselves on their official Web site. 
“The band is just like a marriage –  we all complete each other. Everyone’s crazy in a different way and everyone’s craziness completes the others’ craziness,” the band’s singer Rainer Peterson told The Baltic Times.
Craziness is something Leech seems to be comfortable with. Their music has always been eclectic – they blend together influences from progressive, space and riff rock, heavy metal and mainstream pop. And they always do this in English.

'Tortured' activist was leading looter

TALLINN - Yuri Zhuravlyov, who appeared in Brussels in June to speak about alleged torture of participants by police during the April 2007 'bronze soldier' riots, was in fact one of the instigators of the looting of a food store , the Postimees newspaper claims.

In the indictment filed against Zhuravlyov on Nov. 14, it is recorded that on the night of April 26 he on two occasions threw a wooden shelf against the glass windows of the Westmann store in Parnu Road , as a result of which the windows and goods displayed in the windows were broken.

"Together with other individuals he smashed the glass door of the Westmann store and illegally entered the premises," prosecutor Leelet Kivioja cited from the part of the indictment that deals with the looting of the centrally located food and alcohol store, which suffered damage totalling 3 million kroons (192,000 euros) at the hands of vandals.

Parts in the firing line

In cooperation with BNS

TALLINN - Pressure is building on Estonia ’s Economics Minister Juhan Parts, with some politicians calling for him to be replaced, according to press reports.

Parts looks like he may be caught in the crossfire as tensions rise between coalition partners from his own Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) and the Reform Party.

Parts and prime minister Andrus Ansip have a long-standing rivalry but in recent months they have been able to work together for the sake of economic and political stability. Both have occupied the positions of prime minister and economics minister in coalition governments. However, their relationship now appears to be crumbling.

In remarks made to the AFP news agency on Nov. 21, Parts broke ranks with Ansip, blaming Ansip's previous government for failing to pave the way for euro adoption.

"Estonia had a chance to speed up joining the eurozone under the last government, which led the country when inflation was much lower than now," Parts said.

Countdown to Schengen .. D - 29

By Talis Saule Archdeacon

Baltic airports are experiencing times of great change. Passenger flow has been skyrocketing since European Union accession, so much so that airports in the three capitals are all planning huge expansions to help cope with the extra passengers. These expansions are especially important as they provide the airports with the opportunity to adapt to upcoming Schengen zone membership.

While the large airports are struggling to cope with growing expectations, small airports in the region are experiencing the changing times even more acutely. In this week’s Industry Insider, The Baltic Times looks into some of these issues and tries to discern what the future holds for Baltic airports.

RIGA - Baltic airports are preparing to take part in a historic event. The Baltic states are set to be fully integrated into the Schengen border free zone by March 2008 – a move that requires significant changes to the infrastructure of the three largest airports – Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius – to become a reality. But how close are they to being ready ?

In a Nov. 15 vote, the European Parliament decided to support the accession of all three Baltic states – along with six other states – into the Schengen area, mirroring a Nov. 8 unanimous endorsement from the EU interior ministers. MEPs noted, however, that “there are shortcomings” in the preparedness of the nine states, the EUobserver reports. 

Each state, it would seem, suffers these shortcomings to varying degrees.

English language included in the future of Tallinn

TALLINN - A conference on the future of Tallinn, featuring several current and former city officials, floated a number of novel ideas – including making English an official language and turning the city into a banking center – in an attempt to boost the Estonian capital’s chances to better compete in the 21st century.
One of the most striking proposals at the Nov. 19 gathering came from Toomas Vitsut, deputy chairman of the Tallinn City Council, who said that by adopting English as an official language Tallinn would improve its competitiveness in attracting foreign investment.
“This, however, would require as radical an approach from state Estonian institutions as with the demand for commanding the official state language (Estonian – ed.),” said Vitsut, a member of the Center Party.
But English as an official language in Tallinn “would ensure higher incomes for residents of Tallinn and Estonia as a whole,” he said.

Vitsut argued that since the April riots Russian businessmen have packed their bags and left, leaving the English language to fill the language gap in the capital.
The proposal was by far the most radical to come out of the conference “Tallinn Without Borders,” which was organized to brainstorm about how to reinvigorate the Estonian capital.
Deputy Mayor Ivi Eenmaa, a member of the Reform Party, said Tallinn should be more assertive in both public relations and business opportunities, to the point that the city should transform itself into the premier financial capital of the Baltic Sea region.
Eenmaa called for transforming the city’s expansive coastline and opening it up to maritime activity. “When will we be able to organize an international marathon along Tallinn’s nearly 40 kilometer coastline ?” she asked rhetorically.

Minimum salary to go up next year .....

In 2008, the minimum salary should be going up from EEK 3600,00 (EUR 230,00) to EEK 4350,00 (EUR 278,00) ... (still nothing to scream about ! What can one do with such and an inflation of 8,5% ?).

This is the salary that an estimated 15 000 to 70 000 people are getting (in 2007).

Trade Unions were asking for a EEK 4800,00 minimum whereas employers were offering EEK 4000,00/4500,00 ....

Linnaleht - 22.11.2007

Tourist numbers down in Estonia, but sales grow

TALLINN - Tourist numbers are down 4 % over the first three quarters of 2007, the Statistical Office announced Nov. 14, pointing to one of the most tangible repercussions to the two nights of rioting that strangled Tallinn in April.

At the same time the Estonian Association of Hotels and Restaurants announced that sales were up over the same period by 5.6 %, which would indicate that the hospitality industry has not suffered from the drop in the number of tourists.

Hummmm ! It all has to be checked .... !!

Estonian economy minister chides PM over sluggish euro moves

TALLINN - Estonia's economy minister broke ranks with premier Andrus Ansip, saying Ansip's previous government blew its chance to pave the way for the now-elusive goal of adopting the euro.

'Estonia had a chance to speed up joining the eurozone under the last government, which led the country when inflation was much lower than now,' Juhan Parts told Agence France-Presse.

However, he said, Ansip's former coalition had been 'too worried about its reputation and instead of making accession to the eurozone its priority, took misplaced steps such as too rapid an increase in state sector salaries'.

'Now, when inflation has racked up, accession to the eurozone is postponed for years,' Parts said in an interview.

Estonia had hoped to make the switch from its national currency, the kroon, to the euro, at the start of this year. However in April 2006 the government shifted the target to 2008 and was later forced to put the move on ice until at least 2011.

Estonia : the days of cheap thrills are over

By Joel Alas

TALLINN - It was during a recent weekend trip to Berlin that it dawned on me – Tallinn ain’t cheap no more.
I drank beer in a bar for 1.5 euros (23.4 kroons) and ate a spicy curry dish at an Asian restaurant for 3.5 euros (54.7 kroons). As we wandered the streets of Prenzlauer Berg, my German friend pointed out various fliers advertising rooms for rent in decent apartments in funky suburbs for around 200 euros (3,129 kroon).
When I started to compare these figures with my budget back in Tallinn, I realized the true impact of Estonia’s rapid economic growth.

“I remember when I got here 18 months ago, beer was 25 kroons,” another friend told me as we waited for our food at Hell Hunt pub in Tallinn. Hell Hunt is reliable and enjoyable, the standard choice for ex-pats and locals alike. Its costs are middle-of-the-road. If any place could be considered a barometer for economic change, it’s Hell Hunt. “Today, a beer here costs 40 kroons, and the food is more expensive,” he finishes his story. Looking at the menu I realize he’s right – costs have crept up in recent months. Nothing startling, just five kroons an item each six months or so.
I seem to eat out four or five nights a week. Meat and vegetable prices in the central supermarkets make it cost just as much to cook for ourselves as it does to order at a restaurant. But in recent months, both options have become more expensive. In my four or five favorite eateries, prices for a main dish range from 60 to 150 kroons.

Civic Visions

The conference on the future of Tallinn illustrated many of the issues the Estonian capital must resolve, and the diverse opportunities it must choose from, if it is to achieve the ambition of becoming a metropolis capable of competing with Helsinki, Copenhagen, Oslo and other northern business centers.
Speakers at the conference, which included current and previous civic leaders, did not come empty-handed ; they tossed around ideas left and right. One suggested making Tallinn a regional financial center. Another went for broke, proposing to make the English language the lingua franca of business and government in the Estonian capital. If Tallinn were an English-speaking beehive of commerce, the capital would receive an enormous boost in competitiveness, said Toomas Vitsut, deputy chairman of the City Council. Judging by the success of the Nordic capitals, his proposal deserves consideration.

One development model for Tallinn often mentioned involved merging the city’s administration and public services with those of Helsinki. As the cities converge in terms of costs of living, and labor deficits require increased effectiveness, this option might also look more attractive.

Pöff or Tallinn´s Black Nights

We will be screening Bomb It at the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn - November 15- December 9, 2007.

Bomb It will be playing in the section called :
Just Film Festival 24 Nov- 1 Dec. 2007

BOMB IT Screens :

November 24th at 21.00 (9 pm)

November 26th at 21.00 (9 pm)

For more info see : http://2007.poff.ee/justfilm

BLACK NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL /BNFF/

PIMEDATE ÖÖDE FILMIFESTIVAL /POFF/

E-Digit Tallinn

Tallinn - Toomas Seep - City Office

• We need common language
• Population - 400,000
• Half Estonian GDP comes from Tallinn
• 1m ID cards issued (including 230,947 foreigners)
• Central Registers, X-Road exchange between registers
• 52% have internet
• 62% use internet banking
• 80% send in tax declarations electronically (these numbers don’t add up !)
• Want to develop Electronic City Hall, Selected services 24×7, Local government transparency, back office integration
• Free wireless access in public spaces (parks, squares, beaches)
• M-Parking : pay for parking via mobile network, 60% of revenue comes from M-Parking
• ID-Ticket : Virtual transportation ID for all public transport, 120,000 users per day
• Digital Document processing via Internet
• City council sessions on web via video and audio
• All council meetings held in public and publically accessible on the web
• All legal acts online on register
• E-School : All reports and marks are online
• eVoting used universally, no security issues! (Shurely, shome mishtake, ed).

Still many things to be improved, but in the right direction ...!

Tallinn the English-speaking city ?

TALLINN - In order to provide Tallinn with a greater competitive edge, English should be granted the status of an official language in the Estonian capital, chairman of the Tallinn city council Toomas Vitsut said at a conference outlining visions for the city's future.

The adoption of English could help invigorate Estonia's weakening economy given that Russian entrepreneurs are leaving the city, he said according to spokespeople.

"That, however, would require as radical an approach from official Estonian institutions as is the demand for command of the official state language. It would ensure higher incomes for residents of Tallinn and Estonia as a whole," Vitsut said.

The Center Party politician said that owing to its position Tallinn was responsible for the whole of Estonia in terms of generating welfare and remaining competitive.

Vice Mayor Ivi Eenmaa, of the Reform Party, invited Tallinn to assert itself more strongly among cities of the Baltic Sea countries. She described very low coverage of Tallinn in the international media as an indicator that the city was becoming provincialized.

Eenmaa called for special legal status for the capital city and backed the idea of turning Tallinn into the financial capital of the Nordic region.

Another vice mayor, Tonis Palts, of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union, said the way out for Tallinn to rid itself of the status of periphery of the European space was to eliminate mental borders between Tallinn and the rest of Estonia. 

NATO Pros and Cons

Helsingin Sanomat's NATO Guide compares how NATO membership or non-membership in the alliance would affect Finland's position in different circumstances.

Russia - or any other country you care to name - threatens Finland militarily, and Finland asks for support. Who is going to help us, or will we be left to shift for ourselves ?
      
Finland in NATO :
      If Finland is attacked, the government will tender a request for assistance from the North Atlantic Council (NAC). The Permanent Representatives of each member-state can meet in session in the Council at a couple of hours’ notice. The NAC must decide unanimously on the granting of assistance.
      If and when a positive decision on help is forthcoming, each NATO member will then decide independently what kind of aid it is to provide.
      NATO no longer has detailed plans for the defence of its member-states, as existed during the Cold War era, when NATO units were on permanent stand-by to rebuff the threat from the Soviet Union. Finland would probably lead its own defence, and NATO assistance would be coordinated through one of the European command and control centres.
      Troops will need to be sent to Finland from abroad, as in peacetime Finland will not have NATO bases or troops on its soil.
      It is possible that NATO would initially send a rapid response force of the type in readiness somewhere in Central Europe. Finland has already modified its ports and airports in such a way that it is easy to accommodate NATO troops and materiel.

Brothel in Limerick

Two women returned to their homes in Estonia last night after they were arrested at a brothel in Limerick following a garda surveillance operation.

Kristin Pukk and Mare Koller had been in Ireland less than 48 hours before their appearance at a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday.

The court heard that the brothel was being organised through a website.

Detective Garda Dave Bourke told Limerick District Court that an apartment on William Street had been under surveillance for a number of weeks because of suspicions that a brothel was being run at the premises using a website as first point of contact.

Last Friday night gardai raided the premises under warrant and discovered the two Estonian women 26-year-old Kristin Pukk and 30-year-old Mare Koller along with one client.

The women were each charged under section 11 of the Criminal Law Act for permitting the premises to be used as a brothel.