Welcome to Tallinn!
A brief history Tallinn is an old town, with the earliest traces of human settlement date back 5000 years and it first appeared on a map in the year 1154. Its written history is similar to Estonia’s history in general, consisting mainly of different larger neighbours conquering and pillaging. Over the centuries different parts of Estonia have belonged to the Danes, Poles, Swedes, Germans and Russians (rinse and repeat). The lone heroic moment from the dark and middle ages comes from 1187, when allegedly Vikings from Estonia burned Sweden’s capital Sigtuna to the ground. Estonia finally gained independence in 1918. This brief window of freedom lasted only till 1939, when the tiny country was first occupied by the Soviet Union, then Nazi Germany and then Soviet Union again. The Soviet era finally ended in 1991 when Estonia regained its independence. Today we have about 1.3 million inhabitants and one of the lowest population densities in Europe. This does have its advantages though – it’s one of the most forested countries as well, having over 50% of its area covered with woods!
The city Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and its largest city – which is not saying that much considering its population of 400 000. The city is most known for its largely intact medieval Old Town, which is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The Old Town with its unique atmosphere is full of cafes, galleries, restaurants, hotels and pubs and is popular with tourists and locals alike. It houses such landmarks as the Tall Hermann (guard tower by the Toompea castle) and the rudely named Fat Margret (the widest guard tower) as well as many churches, merchant homes and the town hall. A pharmacy on town hall square is the oldest working enterprise in Estonia, dating back to 1422.
Modern Tallinn built around the Old Town features a diverse mixture of architecture – from new high rise buildings in the city centre, to fully restored districts of small wooden apartment buildings from the early 20th century to massive residential areas built during the soviet era that feature prime examples of unified soviet architecture where function prevailed over form. Disclaimer: your experience may vary!
The venues
Accommodation You will be staying in the Viru Hotel – a four star hotel directly in the heart of the city. Most of the competition takes place in the Viru shopping centre that is in the adjoining building! It’s also a stones throw away from the Old Town – a lot of you can enjoy the view over this historic district from your windows. Be sure to check out the KGB museum that is housed in the hotel. Since it was one of the only places in Soviet Estonia where foreigners could legally live, then its rooms had to be monitored closely by the KGB. As the museums webpage puts it: “There once was a hotel that came to be named the Viru. The year was 1972, and there were still two decades or so until the fall of Communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Any hotel that was appropriate for foreign visitors also had to be appropriate for the KGB...“
Estonian National Opera Built in 1913 it has an opera house and concert hall. These are the rooms in which the Estonian President traditionally hosts the reception on Estonian Independence Day. You will be doing your presentations on the stage of the concert hall that seats 500 people and has perfect acoustics.
Viru Shopping Centre This is one of the biggest shopping centres in Tallinn – a go-to place whatever you might need. In addition to a vast selection of shops the centre includes cafes, restaurants and even a rooftop open air cinema!
Song Festival Grounds This is symbol of Estonian freedom – in 1987 almost 400 000 Estonians gathered here for mass demonstrations to sing national songs and hymns banned by the Soviet government. This meant the beginning of the Singing Revolution – these events took place over and over again in the next four years and are today viewed as the cornerstone of regaining Estonia’s independence. Today the Song Festival Grounds are used as a venue for both national song festivals and concerts – you will dine the rooms that have been used by Michel Jackson, olling Stones, Robbie Williams, Britney Spears and other international superstars!
Seaplane Harbour The Seaplane Harbour is one of the most visited museums in Estonia. First completed as a part of a naval fortress it houses the exhibitions of Estonian Maritime Museum. Before dinner you will have time to explore the museum. The museum houses old naval equipment, a seaplane and a real submarine! Homepage: http://lennusadam.eu/en/
Port Noblessner Port Noblessner is a shipyard built by Imperial Russia in the early 20th century. This huge complex was once used to build and repair warships, it had factories, ports, housing for all the workers and administration and even a railway system. The historical buildings survived both world wars and because of exceptional acoustics the main hall of the abandoned shipyard is mostly used as a concert venue for classical music.