Eesti Maja and Vastla Day

The experience of entering the Polish House in Sydney does not differ from entering the Estonian one (Eesti Maja). It smells the same, like someone decided to collect all rusty antiquates from the past exactly here. There were paintings of Estonian landmarks displayed on the walls around. I recognized the national hero Kalevipoeg, Jaani church and other buildings from Tartu and Tallinn too.

I could not remember the real explanation for Vastla Day. Before that day I was boasting around that I go for a party to celebrate some kind of less-known Estonian hero called Vastel. Me and Christina were treated with bear, with pea soup, sausages and of course Vastla sweet bread rolls. It was very yummy. In between the meals we were taught that this day is nothing but equivalent of English Ruby Tuesday and therefore strongly connected to Christian tradition. It was introduced into pagan Estonian society during the Swedish occupation. (something like “vastlamen” means in Swedish to fast).

But this kind of holidays is not only about digestive activities. I have learnt again more about this little country. To my surprise I met a young girl who manifested a will to farm. I think it is possible only in Estonia to find so many people willing to escape towns and cities. More than 50% of this country is covered with forest and seeing a bear or a wolf just behind your cottage house window is something as natural as having porridge with milk for a breakfast.