Holidays

Holidays in Estonia

Estonians are considered rather reserved, religion plays a rather subordinate role in their everyday lives. To the surprise of many German visitors, there are no motorways in their scenically diverse and charming country on the Baltic Sea. Estonians prefer to spend Victory Day and the following St John’s Day in June in the countryside outside the big cities.

On public and national holidays, which are heavily influenced by the country’s history, most government offices, banks and shops are closed or have restricted opening hours. Supermarkets, on the other hand, usually stay open.

Overview

New Year’s Day – January 1

Independence Day – on February 24

Karif Friday – two days before Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday – the Sunday after the first full moon in spring

May Day – on May 1

Victory Day (“Võidupüha”) – on June 23

John’s Day (“Jaanipäev”) – on June 24

Independence Restoration Day – on August 20

1st Christmas Day – on December 25

2nd Christmas Day – on December 26

Worth knowing about selected holidays

Independence Day

Estonian history was marked by Danish, German, Swedish and Russian occupation for centuries. On February 24, 1918, following the October Revolution, the country declared itself independent and a republic was proclaimed. In 1940, Estonia was forced to join the Soviet Union. Today, Estonia is a sovereign state and a member of the EU and NATO. On the eve of the national holiday on February 24, work is already shortened.

May Day

During its affiliation with the Soviet Union, May Day was celebrated with demonstrations and parades as a “day of struggle and holiday of the working class,” but today people have turned to older traditions. In many places, Walpurgis Night is celebrated before May 1 with large “witch fires”.

The May Day itself is celebrated by the students with exuberant parties. Big May fires are lit and people dance around the specially erected maypoles.

John’s Day

After many bright, warm June nights, the exuberant mood culminates in the Midsummer Night celebrations on June 24. One sits together at the Johannisfeuer, eats, drinks, talks and enjoys the night. In many places there are also small competitions. According to tradition, the fire must not go out all night. According to old rites, old boats are also burned on the islands.

The festival is equal in importance to Christmas, so it is by far the most important festival of the summer.

Independence Restoration Day

As early as 1990, there were anti-Moscow demonstrations in Tallinn. Then, in March 1991, the Estonian government organized a so-called “anticipatory referendum on the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia.” More than three quarters of the population voted in favour. Finally, on August 20, the Declaration on the Restoration of Estonian Independence was adopted by the Parliament. The liberation movement in the Baltics has gone down in history as the “Singing Revolution”.