The first photo in this photo blog was taken at the Tallinn TV Tower, a Soviet era construction that controls the airwaves in the country. This was the site of a confrontation between Soviet forces and Estonian civilians during the struggle for independence that ultimately avoided bloodshed. The best views of the city can be seen from the observation decks.
On Wednesdays, we skip the classroom to go on cultural trips around Tallinn. This picture was taken at the Estonian Jewish Museum, where we learned about the history of the Holocaust in Estonia, when an already-small Jewish community barely numbering in the thousands was nearly extinguished. In Judaism, men generally cover their heads upon entrance to a synagogue.
I was surprised to find a Mexican flag during a trip to the Tallinn Botanical Gardens. They were showcasing an exhibit of New World flora, some of which was donated by the Mexican embassy in Finland, which also covers relations with Estonia. Although I came to Estonia as part of an American group, it was cool to see some exchange happen in Estonia that relates to my Mexican side.
Here I was reading Scripture in Russian during Mass at a chapel in the Dominican monastery in the Tallinn Old Town. Attending Sunday Mass has been a great way to use my Russian in a setting of personal significance to me. Despite there being several native speakers of Russian in attendance then, I was allowed to do some of the readings myself!
On the 4th of July, the American Chamber of Commerce hosted an event at Texas Cantina, a local Americana bar. There, ambassador George Kent addressed the community in full farmer garb. Here, I am speaking to an Estonian man who told me all about a folk hero also named Andres (the Spanish and Estonian versions of Andrew the Apostle are spelled the same, with stress on different syllables). Almost all Estonians assume I am of Estonian heritage when I tell them my name.
By Andres Loretdemola
Title VIII Fellowship for Overseas Language Study and Research Recipient
Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program
Tallinn, Estonia, Summer 2024