Estonian Embassy in Athens :: News & events

EXHIBITION: Contemporary jewellery from Estonia

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:09:04 GMT

LANDSCAPE

Anneli Tammik, Kaire Rannik, Ketli Tiitsar, Kristi Paap, Maria Valdma

Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum
Kallisperi 12 & Karyatidon Str.
Acropolis, Athens

Exhibition duration: October 6-26, 2011
Tue., Thurs., Fri., Sat., 9.00 am - 3.00 pm; Sun. 11.00 am - 4.00 pm; Wed. 9.00 am - 9.00 pm

Landscape can be understood as the concurrence of the materials, colors, shapes, and structures reflected in the artists work. Certainly, the landscape is different and special for every creative person – it is more a condition than anything visually perceptual.

How can one describe the similarities between the works in this seemingly different-looking group and what distinguishes them from the other artist works and schools of thought in the field of art jewellery? One feature is the focus on people (often the author himself), his immediate surroundings, and his feelings: household, homesickness, the bad and the good, birth and death, and his own reflection ... Secondly – the idea ruling over matter. Despite the diversity of materials - wood, silver, birchbark, rubber, copper, plastic, gold, textiles, etc. - there is no place for apparency.

HORTUS MUSICUS CONCERT on Rhodes island

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:18:58 GMT

"Crossing Ages and Cultures"

June 18, 2011 at 21.00 in "Sound & Light" Garden, Rhodes downtown.

Exhibition of Estonian mittens and gloves in Tripoli

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:29:51 GMT

On Friday, March 11, 2011, at 20:00 hrs the exhibition of Estonian mittens and gloves will be opened at the Cultural Centre of Tripoli (contact person Mrs Marilia Michalopoulou 6947771023).

The history of Estonian mittens introduces Estonian culture and environment through the knitted ornaments of the gloves as well as through the people who used to wear them.

For Estonians, living in a northern climate, the mittens are an essential element in their lives. In addition to their practical value, mittens have also played a significant role in Estonian folk culture and customs: it was believed that the knitted ornaments would bring luck and protect from evil. The mitten patterns show people’s aesthetic preferences, reflect influences from other cultures as well as tell a story of ancient times.

The exhibition is organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Athens in cooperation with the Greek Guiding Association in Tripoli and the Municipality of Tripoli.

The exhibition will be open until March 20, 2011.

Young Estonian artists will perform in Athens

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:47:23 GMT

The Estonian Embassy in Athens and the Parnassos Literary Society organise a concert of Mrs Mari Poll, violin and Mr Mihkel Poll, piano performing the music of Sergei Prokofiev.

January 10, 2011, at 20:30,
at the Parnassos Literary Society
Karitsi str. 8, Athens

Mikhel Poll (piano) has won numerous awards and honorary distinctions while taking part in international competitions (1st prize in the Rina Sala Gallo contest in Italy, in the first international piano competition of Tallinn, in Spain, etc). He has collaborated with symphonic orchestras in Estonia, Russia, France, Belgium and has worked with famous conductors gathering excellent reviews. He has studied at the Academy of Music and Theatre of Estonia
http://www.mihkelpoll.com/

Mari Poll (violin) has participated and won prizes in many international competitions (Estonian Young String Players Competition, ESTA National Young Violinist's and Cellist's Competition, Louis Sphor International Competition, etc.). She has played as soloist with orchestras in Estonia, England, France. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London on a scholarship.
http://www.maripoll.com/

Tickets € 10 & 15

Ticket Service
Panepistimiou 39 (Pesmazoglou Arcade), Athens
210 7234567
www.ticketservices.gr

Mihkel Poll

Exhibition of Estonian mittens and gloves

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:32:36 GMT

On Thursday, December 16, 2010, at 19:00 hrs the exhibition of Estonian mittens and gloves will be opened at the Meeting Place of Guiding in Larissa, 8, Velli street (contact person Mrs Vassiliki Siapkali 6945498963).

The history of Estonian mittens introduces Estonian culture and environment through the knitted ornaments of the gloves as well as through the people who used to wear them.

The exhibition is organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Athens in cooperation with the National Museum of Estonia and the Greek Guiding Association.

The exhibition will be open until January 16, 2011.

Estonian National Opera Boys' Choir Concert Tour in Greece 17 – 22 September 2010

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:42:10 GMT

Information about the choir: http://www.opera.ee/9934

17 September at 21.00
Atrium of Benaki Museum, Athens
More information here

18 September at 20.30
Central Square, Melivia village, Larissa

19 September at 20.30
Concert Hall of Larissa Conservatory

22 September at 20.00
45th Dimitria Festival, St. Dimitreos Church, Thessaloniki

Estonia Receives Invitation to Join OECD

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:40:21 GMT

Today, 10 May, Secretary General of the OECD Angel Gurría announced that Estonia will receive an invitation to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on 27 May, when the OECD Council on the ministerial level will be held in Paris.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that accession negotiations with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which began in 2007, have ended. “Estonia is achieving its goal by acquiring full member status in the organisation at the end of 2010,” said Foreign Minister Paet. Foreign Minister Paet said that OECD member states are each leaders in their own region. “The invitation to join the OECD recognises the innovativeness of Estonia’s development. As an OECD member, Estonia will have the opportunity to participate as an equal partner in discussions and share its experiences, while also learning more than ever before from the experiences of others,” said Paet.

The goal of the OECD is to support the expansion of general world economic development and world trade. The primary means for achieving these goals is close co-operation among member states, as well as utilising dialogue, consensus, and lessons learned from the better experiences of others. The OECD addresses various sectors (such as education and environmental issues) with comprehensive analyses and gives recommendations for formulating policies in the given area. In addition, economic reviews of the member states are compiled on a regular basis. As part of the accession process, a thorough economic review of Estonia was published in 2009.

The OECD press release can be viewed here:
http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,3343,en_2649_201185_45159737_1_1_1_1,0...

SPOKESPERSON' S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
pressitalitus@mfa.ee

Estonia and the Euro

Wed, 12 May 2010 11:39:01 GMT

In accordance with the accession agreement with the European Union, all the countries that joined the EU on 1 May 2004, including Estonia, became members of the European Monetary Union (EMU), within the framework of which the transition to the common European currency the euro takes place. On 12 May 2010, the European Commission evaluated Estonia’s readiness to adopt the euro and proposed that Estonia join the euro zone in 2011.

Estonia would like to join the euro zone because it would support the growth of our competitiveness, economic stability, and employment, thereby also ensuring an increase in the quality of life. The euro will also increase the confidence of foreign investors in the Estonian economy, and investing money in Estonia will become easier and safer.

Maastricht criteria

In order for Estonia to join the euro zone, it is required to successfully fulfil the Maastricht criteria:

EXCHANGE RATE

The country must, for at least two years, participate in the currency exchange rate mechanism ERM II and keep the exchange rate of its currency stable against the euro without serious problems. The Member State may not devalue the exchange rate fixed in ERM II on its own initiative. Estonia joined the ERM II on 28 June 2004 and has kept the Estonian kroon on a steady exchange rate with the euro (1 EUR = 15.6466 EEK).

European institutions approved the Estonian Monetary Committee’s suitability for the ERM mechanism. This was essential for the stability of Estonia’s economy, as it allowed it to retain the structure of the Monetary Committee, which has proved to work well, until accession to the euro zone. The fixed exchange rate system helps Estonia comply with the standard exchange rate fluctuation band.

PRICE STABILITY

A state’s annual inflation rate averaged over one year must not exceed the average of the three best-performing member states in terms of price stability by more than 1.5 percentage points. Estonia fulfilled the Maastricht price stability criterion in November of 2009, when the 12-months average harmonized consumer price index (HICP) was -0.7% (the reference value of the criterion was 1%).

INTEREST RATES

The interest rate of at least 10-year kroon-denominated government bonds must not exceed the average of the three best-performing Member States in terms of price stability by more than 2 percentage points. Estonia lacks this instrument for assessing the fulfilment of the criterion, but the European Commission stated in its convergence report that, despite this, Estonia does not have problems with meeting the interest rate criterion.

SUSTAINABILITY OF PUBLIC FINANCES

The general government deficit must be lower than 3% of GDP. The general government debt must be lower than 60% of GDP. For years Estonia has followed a balanced budget policy and kept a low debt burden. In 2009 the government sector’s budget deficit was 1.7% of the GDP, which is considerably smaller than the Maastricht criteria’s 3% limit. The debt burden of the Estonian government sector is the lowest among EU member states, and thus there are no problems with fulfilling this criterion. In 2009, the debt burden of the Estonian government sector posted 7.2% of GDP.

2010 Plan

March-April – The European Commission and the European Central Bank conducted a regular assessment to ascertain Estonia's readiness for the adoption of the euro.

12 May – The European Commission unveiled the convergence report for 2010, in which Estonia’s readiness to join the euro zone received a positive assessment. The Commission recommends that Estonia adopt the use of the euro because Estonia fulfils all the economic criteria.

8 June – The Council of Economics and Finance Ministers of the EU (ECOFIN) will meet to discuss Estonia’s compliance with the euro criteria

18 June – The European Council will discuss Estonia's eligibility for joining the euro area

13 July – ECOFIN should make the final decision regarding Estonia’s accession to the euro area and confirm the exchange rate as of 1 January 2011.

Ever since it was put into circulation again, the Estonian kroon has been pegged to another currency—first the Deutschmark and later the euro. Therefore replacing the kroon with the euro will not bring about any major economic changes. However, adopting the euro will reduce transaction fees and risks that could threaten Estonia as a country with a small fixed currency. The Estonian kroon has had the unchanging exchange rate 1:15.64664 since 1999.

As of 2010, the euro is the common currency of sixteen European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

At the beginning of 2011, Estonia hopes to become the 17th EU member state to join the euro zone.

The Estonian euro coin will be adorned with the outline of the country of Estonia:

Additional information:

Estonian EuroWeb: euro.eesti.ee
Estonian Economy at a Glance
Summary of the 2010 Convergence Programme of Estonia

UMA concert tour in Greece

Sat, 22 May 2010 13:00:11 GMT

22 May at 20.00 Old Archeological Museum/ Παλαιό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο (Γενί Τζαμί), Thessaloniki

23 May at 19.15 The Holy Monastery of St. John The Forerunner, Anatoli Agias

25 May at 22.30 Bacaro Athens Jazz Bar Restaurant

26 May at 21.00 10^th European Jazz Festival, Technopolis, Athens

UMA is a co-operation of two musicians – Aleksei Saks and Robert Jürjendal – who came together in the beginning of 2007. UMA plays it’s members’ compositions, which have classical forming and Nordic ambient atmosphere enriched with free and jazz improvisations. London Jazz Festival 2009 presented UMA as "An unconventionally beautiful combination of guitar, trumpet and the rarely-heard corno da caccia".

Aleksei Saks plays trumpet and corno da caccia (hunting horn) both coloured with sound effects and looper. Robert Jürjendal plays mostly Ovation semi-acoustic guitar (new standard tuning) equipped with midi-pickup, Roland VG-8, loopers etc.

UMA has performed on Tallinn’s Days of Culture in St.-Petersburg, Tallinn Music Week, Matsalu Nature Film Festival, Viljandi Guitar Festival, London Jazz Festival.

First CD of UMA „Civitas Soli“ was released in the end of 2008 (Elwood) with great help of producer Markus Reuter (Germany) and ambient guru Robert Rich (USA).

Screening of historical documentary "Sisters across the Gulf of Finland"

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:17:01 GMT

Wednesday, 28 April at 7 p.m.
at the Finnish Institute, Zitrou 16,
Makrigianni, Athens

The documentary will be presented by director Imbi Paju and Dr. Tiina Kinnunen, University of Joensuu (Finland)

Director: Imbi Paju
Music: Arvo Pärt, Lepo Sumera

The historical-psychological documentary "Sisters across the Gulf of Finland" tells the story of the cooperation and friendship between the members of the Estonian and Finnish voluntary auxiliary organizations for women (Naiskodukaitse and Lotta Svärd) that began in the 1920’s and was cut off by World War II, the Soviet occupation of Estonia, and the subsequent realpolitik of the Cold War.

More information: http://imbipaju.wordpress.com

Estonia to reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:32:45 GMT

For security reasons, Estonia will reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the unofficial meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers from 17 – 23 April in Tallinn. To ensure the highest possible level of public policy and internal security, controls at the border will be introduced at Estonia’s border with Latvia and at ports and airports.

Border controls will be carried out in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code and State Borders Act.

7th Spring Organ Series in Athens

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:17:25 GMT

17 March 2010 at 20:30
Anglican Church of Athens
27 Philhellinon Str., Syntagma

"BACH IM SPIEGEL"

Concert by


ANDRES UIBO organ (Estonia)	AARE TAMMESALU cello (Estonia)

PROGRAMME:

1
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Passacaglia in C Minor BWV 582 (BWV 582/1) for Organ (1706-1713)

2
Andres Uibo (1956)
"Bach im Spiegel" for Cello and Organ (2005)

3
Artur Kapp (1878-1952)
"Prelude" for Cello and Organ (1918)

4
Arvo Pärt (1935)
"Trivium" for Organ (1976)

5
Tõnu Kõrvits (1969)
"Wanderer's Song " for Cello (2003)

6
Andres Uibo
"And I heard.... "
2nd movement from "Apocalypsis Symphony" for Organ (2003/2004)

7
Johann Sebastian Bach
Sonata No.1 in G Major BWV 1027 for Cello and Organ (1720?)
Adagio
Allegro ma non tanto
Andante
Allegro moderato

More information: http://www.specsnarts.gr/index.php?id=60

Foreign Ministry to Send One-Day Consular Mission to Cyprus

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:12:50 GMT

During the course of the consular mission, it will be possible for all Estonian citizens residing in Cyprus to apply for new passports or ID cards or receive pre-ordered documents. Other tasks in accordance with the Consular Act will also be carried out for Estonian citizens and holders of Estonian alien passports.

Due to the fingerprinting requirement, starting on 29 June 2009 it has been necessary for all passport applicants to personally visit a foreign representation of Estonia or a location of the Citizenship and Migration Board while in Estonia. The Estonian representation closest to Cyprus is located in Athens, and therefore the Foreign Ministry is sending its consular mission to Cyprus so that Estonian citizens can file their passport applications without having to travel to Athens.

The consular official will be working on 26 February 2010 at the Estonian Honorary Consulate General in Nikosia:

5 Themistocles Dervis Street
Elenion Building
Nikosia

We ask that you register to see the consular official beforehand at the phone number +357 22 555 000.

Passports that have already been applied for can also be picked up later at the Estonian Honorary Consulate General in Nikosia.

Additional information about honorary consuls in Cyprus: http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/6549

In accordance with the Consular Act, consular missions are sent to nations where Estonia lacks a foreign representation but there is a justified need for consular services.

VÄLISMINISTEERIUMI PRESSITALITUS
637 7654
521 3085
pressitalitus@mfa.ee

Estonia is waiving the visa invitation requirement

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:37:24 GMT

Estonia is simplifying the visa application process for people travelling to Estonia. On May 7 the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) approved an amendment that will waive the visa invitation requirement. The amendment will enter into force on July 30. Visa invitations submitted to and approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board before July 30 will be valid in foreign missions of Estonia as documents certifying the travel purpose within 6 months following the date of the corresponding decision,Waiving the visa invitation requirement means that those applying for visas no longer have to present an invitation approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board or other form of invitation, and from now on other documents will be sufficient to prove the purpose of travel.

The waiving of the invitation requirement will make the visa application process faster and easier. All other requirements will remain as before.

The most important thing for the visa applicant is to present his or her travel plans honestly and clearly and to fill in the visa application with his or her contact information and primary address of residence in Estonia. It is also required to submit documents that certify the purpose of travel and prove the existence of sufficient resources to cover return travel, sustenance and accommodation. It would also be useful for the applicant to indicate his or her connection to Estonia (for example, documents proving marital or family status, or a letter or email written by the person being visited in Estonia describing the person’s connection to the visa applicant).

The consul still reserves the right to ask the visa applicant or relevant individual or organisation to present oral or written explanations of the need for a visa. As before, the consul may request documents that certify the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen area upon the expiration of the visa: return tickets, sufficient means of subsistence, proof of employment, proof of real estate in the country of residence, proof of ties with the country of residence (family ties, professional status) etc.

To prove the purpose of travel, the following supplementary documents could be submitted (the list is non-exhaustive):

For business travel: written confirmation from the company organising the meeting, conference, etc.; invitations/tickets to a fair or seminar; documents that prove the existence of business ties or certify the applicant’s connection to or status in a company.

For personal travel: documents confirming accommodation (hotel reservation, a letter or email which confirms that the receiver will allow accommodation for the visa applicant); travel package; copies of travel tickets.

Tuule Kann and Jaak Sooäär performing in Athens

Wed, 28 May 2008 21:00:00 GMT

At the 8th European Jazz Festival in Athens, Estonian jazz musicians are being represented by Tuule Kann and Jaak Sooäär.

Music Night of the Johansons and Tõnis Mägi

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:00:00 GMT

At St.Paul's Anglican Church in Athens, a concert is being given by Tõnis Mägi and "Johanson & Vennad" including Jaak- the guitar and song; Kärt - the song; Mart - the guitar, song; Ants - the busuki and song.
The beginning of the concert is at 7:30 pm. The booking of places by phone: 210 7475660 or by e-mail: embassy.athens@mfa.ee

Estonian nature photos in Greece

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:00:00 GMT

An exhibition composed of the best works of the photo competition "Nature Photo of the Year 2005-2006" arranged by Nature Omnibus has been set up at the Arts Center of the American Community School of Athens.
The official opening of the exhibition is scheduled for 7 February at 12.00.

"Autumn Ball" at Thessaloniki Film Festival

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:00:00 GMT

The feature film "Autumn Ball" by Veiko Õunpuu is participating in the competition program of the 48th Thessaloniki International Film Festival

Fingerprints in travel documents

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:04:09 GMT

Starting from June 29th, 2009, all applicants of Estonian travel documents are required to give their fingerprints. The fingerprints are included onto the chip inside the passport cover. Children above the age of 6 are also required to give fingerprints, children below the age of 6 will not have to give fingerprints. As the result of compulsory fingerprint-giving, the procedure of applying for repeated passports by mail will change. In the future, it is possible to apply for a repeated passport by mail only in the case when the person has already received one passport containing fingerprints and less than 2 years have passed since the issuance of this passport.

It is possible to apply for a repeated passport by mail until June 28th, 2009 (passport applications bearing a postal stamp of a later date will not be reviewed without fingerprints - the applicant will have to go to an Estonian foreign representation or to Estonia to give fingerprints). Applications for repeated passports until June 28th, 2009 can be submitted by those persons, whose passport will expire soon (a few months are left until the expiration date) or by persons who for any other reason would like to receive a new passport. There are no changes in the procedure of applying for the initial passport (applications can be turned in at Estonian foreign representations, it is not possible to submit them to the Honorary Consuls). Additional information concerning the fingerprint-taking, use of fingerprints and other questions can be found on the website of the Citizenship and Migration Board.

Estonia at the 8th European Jazz Festival in Athens

Thu, 29 May 2008 11:08:10 GMT

The Embassy of the Republic of Estonia would like to invite you
to the concert of Estonian folk-jazz duo

Tuule Kann – Jaak Sooäär

at the 8th European Jazz Festival in Athens,

on Thursday 29th May 2008 at 21.00 – 22.00
in the City of Athens Technopolis Cultural Centre
(Pireos 100, Gazi)

Free entrance

More information on www.myspace.com/tuulekannjaaksoor