Michael Cole

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Articles

Why is Estonia's largest military exercise named after a hedgehog?

1 month ago | news.err.ee | Helen Wright |Marcus Turovski |Michael Cole

Lt. Liis Vaksmann, of the EDF HQ Public Affairs Section, told ERR News the name Hedgehog has been in use since 2008. It was selected because the EDF has a preference for names that are short, easy to remember and symbolic. Hedgehog – siil in Estonian – fits all the categories. "It has a small body but can defend itself successfully against larger adversaries — it is well suited to Estonia, a small country that must be prepared to defend itself against bigger threats," she said in a written reply.
Feature | How do you talk to children about war?

Jan 15, 2025 | news.err.ee | Michael Cole

When she arrived in Estonia from Kyiv in March 2022, writing and illustrating a children's book was definitely not part of Hanna Davidova's plans. "I remember in the beginning, I didn't even have my materials with me, and I felt like I didn't want to paint," Davidova says. "And, for maybe the first three months, I didn't."Like many affected by the war in Ukraine, at first, it took Davidova a while to process what was going on.
Gallery: Ice jams behind Emajõgi River's rising water levels

Jan 14, 2025 | news.err.ee | Airika Harrik |Michael Cole

According to the Environment Agency, the Emajõgi River's water levels have been rising an average of one centimeter per hour due to the accumulation of blocks of ice, or ice jams. In other words, the water level has risen by around 70 centimeters in the last week. There are several blockages on the river: one of which is in Luunja, near the Luunja bridge. According to the Environment Agency's latest forecast, water levels in the river could rise to as much as 220-230 centimeters as the snow melts.
Estonian Super Cup final set for Viljandi on February 22

Jan 11, 2025 | news.err.ee | Michael Cole

Traditionally, the season-opening showcase sees the reigning Estonian champions face the winners of the Ewald Tipner Trophy. However, FCI Levadia's league and cup double in 2024 means they will instead be up against Nõmme Kalju, who finished in second spot in last year's top-flight. Levadia have already won the Super Cup eight times, with their last victory coming in 2022 when they defeated Flora Tallinn on a freezing cold February evening in a penalty shootout.
Tartu Winter Folk Dance Day and Christmas market take place this Saturday

Dec 10, 2024 | news.err.ee | Michael Cole

This year will be the fifteenth annual Tartu Winter Folk Dance Day, with record numbers of folk dancers expected to join the celebrations in the city's Town Hall Square. "The repertoire includes old favorites such as the 'Perekonvalss' ('Family Waltz') and 'Vengerka,' as well as some dances that have never been seen or performed at a winter dance day before," said artistic director Raul Markus Vaiksoo. The traditional dances will be accompanied by music from the Maatasa Folklore Club.
Feature | 'Music is what I feel in my soul': Estonia's most acessible concert

Dec 3, 2024 | news.err.ee | Michael Cole

When I meet Jakob Rosin, he is about to do something no one has ever done before. "I think I'm the first blind camera guy to do a live show" he tells me. "In Estonia at least." And things seem to be going pretty well. "They didn't tell me about any bad things during the rehearsals," he laughs. "So, I think we're good."Jakob is the chair of the Estonian Blind Union.
Gallery: Former Estonian National Museum building demolished in Tartu

Nov 28, 2024 | news.err.ee | Merili Nael |Airika Harrik |Michael Cole

By the afternoon of Thursday, November 28, the main part of the building had been demolished and the glass facade around the front door was being lowered. The right wing of the building, on the Veski tänav side, was still standing. A dozen or so passers-by gathered to watch the demolition. The public auction for the ERM's former exhibition building was won in March 2023 by the non-profit association Korp! Sakala Alumni Association, which paid €1.2 million.
Watch again: Fully accessible inclusivity concert 'Elukoor'

Nov 27, 2024 | news.err.ee | Rasmus Kuningas |Michael Cole

The concert, which this year was held for the third time, is the only fully accessible cultural event in Estonia. To enhance accessibility, the concert offered Braille programs, sign language interpretation, written translations, audio descriptions, and simple language translations. The venue was accessible to wheelchair users and those with other mobility aids. Allergy-free flower arrangements were also part of the decor. Additionally, an overview of the materials used in the room will be provided.
MKM secretary general: Working in the office has many advantages

Nov 21, 2024 | news.err.ee | Karin Koppel |Michael Cole

At a time when many private companies have begun to request people return to the office and imposed limits on working from home, remote work remains a common for staff at Estonian government ministries. Ahti Kuningas, secretary general of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MKM) told ERR that he thinks a lot about the efficiency of remote working. "I used to go to the office myself during the Coronavirus pandemic and I see many advantages of working in the office.
Feature | 'My pain is my huge motivator': Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Tartu

Nov 19, 2024 | news.err.ee | Michael Cole

It was standing room only for those at the back of the University of Tartu Museum's White Hall on Monday. Such was the level of anticipation for the arrival of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, political activist and leader of the Belarusian democratic movement, who was here to give a public lecture about the latest situation in her homeland – "Belarus after 2020: Dictatorship vs. European Future."In her speech, Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need to keep Belarus' message in the public consciousness.