Language/Standard-estonian/Culture/Estonian-celebrations-and-holidays

Standard Estonian Culture → Introduction to Estonian culture → Estonian celebrations and holidays

Estonian Celebrations and Holidays

As an Estonian language teacher, I believe that learning about the culture of Estonia is just as important as learning the language itself. In this lesson, we will explore some of the most important celebrations and holidays in Estonian culture.

Midsummer Day - Jaanipäev

Jaanipäev or Midsummer Day is one of the biggest celebrations in Estonian culture. It falls on or around June 24th and is celebrated in a variety of ways. One of the most popular traditions is the lighting of the bonfire, which is believed to ward off evil spirits. People also enjoy dancing, singing, and eating traditional foods such as grilled meat, potatoes, and pickles.

Traditional Food

If you want to experience traditional Estonian cuisine during Midsummer Day, try preparing or sampling these dishes:

Estonian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Vastlakuklid	[ˈʋɑstlɑ.kuklid]	Shrove Tuesday buns
Verivorst	[ˈʋeriˌʋorst]	Blood sausage
Kama	[kama]	Kama - a flour mixture made from toasted barley

Christmas - Jõulud

Christmas is a beloved holiday in Estonia and it is celebrated between December 24th and 26th. Many of the traditions are similar to those found in other parts of the world, such as decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols, and enjoying festive foods. However, there are also some unique Estonian customs, such as visiting the graves of loved ones and offering candles as a symbol of remembrance.

Traditional Food

If you want to experience traditional Estonian cuisine during Christmas, try preparing or sampling these dishes:

Estonian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Verikäkk	[ˈʋeriˌkækː]	Blood pudding
Pohlamoos	[ˈpoɦlɑ.moːs]	Cranberry sauce
Piparkoogid	[ˈpipɑr.koːɡid]	Gingerbread cookies

Independence Day - Iseseisvuspäev

On February 24th, Estonians commemorate their independence from the Russian Empire in 1918. This day is celebrated with parades, concerts, and other cultural events. It is an opportunity for Estonians to reflect on their history and national identity, as well as to celebrate their freedom and independence.

Traditional Food

If you want to experience traditional Estonian cuisine during Independence Day, try preparing or sampling these dishes:

Estonian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Mulgipuder	[ˈmulɡiˌpuːder]	Mulgipuder - a hearty potato and barley porridge from southern Estonia
Kiluvõileib	[ˈkilu.ˌʋøi̯leib]	Smoked herring on bread with butter
Kodune hapukapsas	[ˈkodu.ne ˈhɑpukɑpsɑs]	Homemade sour cabbage

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of the many celebrations and holidays that you can experience in Estonia. As you learn more about the Estonian language and culture, I encourage you to further explore and immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant traditions of this fascinating country.

Table of Contents - Standard Estonian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Estonian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

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Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Cases
• Personal Pronouns

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Free Time

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Declension
• Adverbs

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Food and Dining

• Food and Drinks
• Eating Out

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Estonian Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

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At Home and Work

• Home and Furniture
• Work and Professions

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Estonian History

• Historical Overview
• Estonian Language History

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Negation and Questions

• Negation
• Question Words and Formation

Related Lessons

• Estonian politics and governance
• Estonian international relations
• Estonian sports and leisure
• Estonian nature and landmarks
• Estonian language and dialects
• Estonian environment and sustainability
• Estonian music and arts
• Famous Estonians
• Estonian society and lifestyle
• Estonian education and research