Tallinn Talks, Episode 3 - Refugees in Estonia

In the 11th episode of the Tallinn Talks podcast, we provide you with an overview of the latest city updates. In addition to that we’re going to be speaking to Kaarel Oja, the deputy mayor for culture in Tallinn and Natalie Mets, the ‘nightlife advisor’ for Tallinn City and Board member of KultuuriKatel about all of the various events we can fill our bright nights within the coming months. And for those for whom summer might mean more about keeping kids and teenagers entertained than being out and about in the nightlife, we'll be speaking with Tiina with the Tallinn Education Department, Maria from the Lasnamäe Youth Centre and Ivar from the City Centre's Youth Centre about the upcoming youth festivals around the city.To read more about the festivals in Estonian click here.

In the 10th episode of Tallinn Talks Chantel Rowe presents you with the latest news about Tallinn, followed by an inspiring interview with Ukrainian volunteers Solomiya and Sofiya.It has been almost two months since the war in Ukraine escalated and shocked the whole world. A day has not gone by when active Tallinners - local natives and expats alike - did not collect humanitarian aid for the people in need. Our guests will paint you a picture of the difficult, yet essential job of volunteers working together for a better world.🤲 If you are out there and wish to support Ukrainians struggling in their homeland, please visit Estonia for Ukraine🙏 Solomiya on Instagram🤝 Sofiya on Instagram

In the 9th episode of the Tallinn Talks podcast, we provide you with an overview of the latest city updates, introduce to you one of the Estonian national holidays and ask Ukrainians residing in Tallinn to share their thoughts about the war raging in their homeland.March 14th is known in Estonia as Emakeelepäev – a day to celebrate the country´s native language, Estonian. Chantel Rowe will take a deep dive into the topic of the occasion and the Estonian language itself with our guests Martin Lään, Monica-Linde Klemet and Daniil Osipov from Expat Relocation Estonia.On a more morbid note, we’ve brought in young and brave Ukrainians Bohdan, Jane and Khrystyna to talk about the unimaginable tragedy unfolding in Ukraine during these days. Our host Solace-Rose Quartey asks her guests revealing questions to give you a better overview of what’s in the minds and hearts of Ukrainian nationals standing up for their independence and freedom against injustice.Want to help out Ukrainians?🙏 Khrystyna’s charity channel: https://flowersforukraine.com/🤝 Bohdan’s Dushka aid collection centre: https://bit.ly/3woFH62🤲 If you are out there and wish to support Ukrainian war refugees, please visit: https://www.ukrainaheaks.ee/✋ You can also donate to the Estonian Red Cross or become a volunteer. Simply visit https://redcross.ee/ for more information.

In the 8th episode of Tallinn Talks, after Chantel Rowe and Solace-Rose Quartey present you the latest news about our beloved Tallinn, we take a deep dive into the topic of Independence Day of the Republic of Estonia.On February 24 people around the country gather to celebrate the 104th birthday of the republic with their friends, family members and fellow patriots. In the studio with us we have an Estonian politician and previous Member of the European Parliament Indrek Tarand and art historian and critique Aleksander Metsamärt – both of whom know a thing or two about the history of Estonia’s strive for independence, the symbols all Estonians hold dear for themselves and the many ways of traditional celebration practices today. 🇪🇪 Links:Visit Estonia’s Independence Day summary: https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/independence-dayLatest news in Tallinn: https://www.tallinn.ee/eng/uudisedSolace-Rose Quartey’s homepage: https://thesolacerose.com/

In the 7th episode of the Tallinn Talks podcast, we provide you with an overview of the latest city updates.In addition to that Chantel Rowe will also be talking about mental health. For some of us, the season can get tough, particularly those from sunnier climates, the cold, dark winters in Tallinn, paired with COVID-19 restrictions and potentially not being able to travel to see family and friends. Luckily enough, Andrei Petuhhov from the Health Board of Estonia (Terviseamet) and Mari Lipp from Tallinn’s Mental Health Centre are here to give you tips, resources and coping strategies for this charming but difficult season.Stay safe! Links: ●  Health Board of Estonia: https://www.terviseamet.ee/en●  Tallinn’s Mental Health Centre: http://www.vaimnetervis.ee/tallinn-eng/●  Tallinn City Centre for Expats Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199304950256641●  Tallinn in Brief newsletter: https://forms.gle/sipgb3QSg5uDkeq2A

In episode 6 of Tallinn Talks, the Christmas edition, our presenters bring listeners the news on what's been happening in Tallinn in December. As expected, our guests Merit Hallang (Tallinn Christmas Market) and Mari Pever (Visit Tallinn) join us in the studio to talk about the legendary Christmas market and what to expect.Christmas came early for Tallinn as the city will be known from 2022 permanently as the UNESCO City of Music. Our guests Lennart Sundja (Tallinn Culture Department) and Reigo Ahven (Fairmus) delve into what this means for the creative industry and the impact this will have on Tallinn and Estonia as a whole.

In the 5th episode of Tallinn Talks, after presenting city news, we discuss the municipal elections (11-17 October 2021) results with the lecturer from Tallinn City University Tõnis Saarts, and the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Estonian World online magazine Silver Tambur. We also interviewed Katerina Chantzi about Climathon Tallinn 2021 - 24-hour global hackathon, where teams compete in developing innovative solutions to their cities' major climate and sustainability challenges.Apart from the city news, neither the discussions nor interviews in this podcast series reflect Tallinn City’s official position. The podcast serves as a platform for members of the international community of Tallinn to share their thoughts. We are happy to offer our international residents an opportunity to touch upon subjects that they consider to be important, both from the point of raising awareness and from the desire to contribute to the development of the city of Tallinn Links:Estonian World https://estonianworld.com/Climathon Tallinn 2021 https://www.facebook.com/events/982252759193577Excellent guide for sorting waste in Estonian, Russian and English: https://envir.ee/liigiti-kogumise-juhendid-ja-sildidAlternative waste sorting options:order a packaging waste container and removal for an apartment building/private home:Tootjavastutusorganisatsioon OÜ, https://tvo.ee/teenused/kortermajaEesti Pakendiringlus OÜ, https://pakendiringlus.ee/teenused/korteriuhistule/segapakend/-glass container from Rohenool, Eesti Pakendiringlus or Tallinna Jäätmete TaaskasutuskeskusAdditional information is available on the Tallinn City Government and Ministry of the Environment websites:Tallinn waste stationshttps://www.tallinn.ee/est/keskkond/Jaatmejaamad-TallinnasWaste related instructionshttps://www.tallinn.ee/keskkond/jaatmed-juhendmaterjalidhttps://www.envir.ee/et/jaatmete-sortiminePackaging wastehttps://www.tallinn.ee/est/keskkond/taara

In the 4th episode of ‘Tallinn Talks’, after presenting city news, we discuss upcoming local elections with the lecturer from Tallinn University Tõnis Saarts, and City Secretary Priit Lello. Tõnis Saarts presents a brief overview of the Estonian election system, as well as major political parties with their ideologies and agendas. Priit Lello explains the organization and rules of the upcoming elections.We are here to remind you that you can vote in the local elections as a foreign citizen if you have a permanent right of residency or a long-term (permanent) residence permit!Links:• Elections in Tallinn: www.tallinn.ee/eng/elections• Participatory budget 2022: www.tallinn.ee/eng/participatory…ticipatory-budget• Vaccinationvaktsineeri.ee/en/covid-19/getting-a-vaccination/ • Tallinn becoming the European Green Capital 2023 www.tallinn.ee/eng/greencapital/

In the 3rd episode of the 'Tallinn Talks' podcast, we provide you with an overview of the latest city updates, including upcoming Tallinn Old Town Days. Tallinn Old Town Days or Vanalinna Päevad is a prominent annual culture event acknowledged both in Estonia and abroad. The festival has been held in Tallinn since the late 80s, offering various concerts, exhibitions, theatrical and dance performances, and more. Tallinn Old Town Days celebration is strongly associated with the Estonian Republic regaining its independence for the second time and the renewed Estonian national identity. Take a look at the packed festival program here: https://vanalinnapaevad.ee/en/program-2021/.In this episode, we also talk about refugees in Estonia with Anu Viltrop from the Estonian Refugee Council, and manager of the social enterprise Siin & Sääl, Rait Parts. We discuss the history of refugees in Estonia, the main difficulties that they encounter during their adaptation journey, and how the international community of Tallinn can contribute to making the lives of people who came to Estonia, unfortunately not by choice but rather due to tragic circumstances, easier.Links: ●   https://www.pagulasabi.ee/en●   https://siinjasaal.ee/●   Tallinn City Centre for Expats https://www.facebook.com/groups/1199304950256641●   ‘Tallinn in Brief’ newsletter https://forms.gle/sipgb3QSg5uDkeq2A

In the June episode, we bring you the latest city news and discuss celebrating Pride Month in Tallinn with Canadian/Estonian transgender artist Kaido Strange and youth activist Rosemarie. We also chat with Tiina Põldmaa from the Tallinn Central Library about how they support the local international community and library services in general (some of them nicely surprised us).