European Christmas markets: Tallinn

Currently in its eighth year, the Tallinn Christmas Market is one of Europe s youngest markets. However, with the revival of the Christmas market tradition following the fall of the Soviet Union, organizers hope to make this Estonian festival one of the world s best. The Tallinn Christmas Market s festive scene or colorful lights and music is enhanced by the city s Old World charm. Centered around a massive Christmas tree, the market features 64 wooden stalls situated within Tallinn Town Hall Square s wide open spaces. In these quaint stalls, skilled artisans sell traditional and original wares including felt hats, slippers, buckwheat pillows, wooden bowls, wickerwork, hand-sewn quilts, knitted hats and scarves, cardigan sweaters, ceramics, glassware, homemade candles, and traditional Christmas wreaths. Hungry shoppers can find a plentiful supply of Estonian holiday foods including pork, sauerkraut, blood sausage, hot soups, gingerbread, marzipan, black pudding, nuts, honey, cookies and sweets.

Tallinn is the city of romance

Not only are tourism board competing with their neighbors they re competing with other cities in other parts of Europe, and the world. In the current economic climate tourism is one of the first things to suffer. It is a luxury after all. Still tourism boards are fighting back with a raft of clever measures to woe customs to the region. Tallinn has its romantic side. Riga, some would say unfortunately, is promoted as a party town. Next year Vilnius is the European Capital of Culture and in 2011 it is Tallinn s turn. Each Baltic capital has its own charm. Riga has its baroque architecture and Tallinn its medieval feel. But let s not forget the smaller cities. This week s Industry Insider is about city promotion. TALLINN - What people don t realize it that Paris is quite dirty, said Amanda Caldwell when asked why she picked Tallinn for her honeymoon.

Curd and the sprat tin view

The sprat tin view denotes the pretty picture that one sees when arriving in Tallinn by boat. This view includes the towers of the Old Town, the hill of Toompea and now also the tall buildings of the new city. This view has long adorned the tins of Estonian sprats. And sprats are Estonian food par excellence. This is why the word «sprat tin view» is a suitable title for this brief overview of Estonian food and eating places. Curd, on the other hand curd just goes very well with sprats. If I had to name one food that is most representative of Estonian cuisine, it would probably not be pork roast with sauerkraut (too German) or flummery (too archaic), but namely spiced sprats. Spiced sprats with hot boiled potatoes, sour cream and curd and onion and boiled eggs this is very Estonian.

Producer Price Index up in February

According to Statistics Estonia, in February 2008 the percentage change in the producer price index was 0.7 compared to January 2008 and 8.3 compared to February 2007. In February compared to January 2008 the producer price index was mainly influenced by the increase in prices in the energy supply and in the manufacture of textile and textile products. In February 2008 the percentage change in the export price index was 0.1 compared to January 2008 and 6.4 compared to February 2007. In February compared to January the export price index was mainly influenced by the decrease in prices in the manufacture of electrical machinery and apparatus. In February 2008 the percentage change in the import price index was 0.6 compared to January 2008 and 4.6 compared to February 2007. In February compared to January the import price index was mainly influenced by the decrease in prices in the manufacture of electrical machinery and apparatus.