#5: ?????? ?? ???????
I have been to Estonia over 25 times in recent years, but this time had a bit more drama than most. (Referring to the Estonian government’s decision to move a Soviet WWII memorial from the city center to a military cemetery and resulting anger from the Russian community. BBC story) I arrived on Saturday, 4/28 when everything was mostly calm after two nights of protests turned to riots in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn. I don’t work in the capital, I am out in the mostly Russian north-eastern part where there was some tension on Saturday night, but not it seems mostly gone. Although I am sure that there are still people mad on both sides of the issue.
As for me, I don’t have a strong opinion on this matter. This is even despite knowing basically only Russians here in Estonia. The way that the government handled the matter (suddenly in the middle of the night) just prior to the May holidays (May Day and Victory Day, 5/1 & 5/9) was inappropriate. However, the rhetoric from the Russians against the government (calling them fascists and SS, etc) cheapens the Russians’ case. From most reports, it seems like the violence was not isolated to Russians, but included some Estonians as well. But no matter who all was responsible for the rioting/looting, it seems clear that it was nearly completely detached from the actual matter. Anyway, I hope this mess will pass. The Estonian government has moved the memorial and will soon have the graves relocated. What will happen after that I don’t know.
On a more positive note, I took some photos to show some natural beauty of the northern coast of Estonia. Here is one showing the deep blue of the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland).
Contrasted by the unnatural hills formed in Kohtla-Jarve by oil shale mining.
The weather turned cold and we are going into May with a light cover of snow.
