🇪🇪 Tallinn News and Events - Wed 16 Apr 🇪🇪

Find out the latest news and weekly events.

Apr 16, 2025

Wednesday: ☁️ 19°/10°⏐ Sunrise 6:03 - Sunset 20:40 ☁️

Thursday: ☁️ 16°/9°⏐ Sunrise 6:00 - Sunset 20:43 ☁️

Good morning Tallinn! Find below the latest news and the coolest events in the city 💛

🗞️ News For You

📚 School

The Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs has proposed a draft bill to delay the start of the school day to 9 a.m., aiming to enhance students' health and well-being. The bill also suggests regulations on school bag weight, break durations, and lesson planning. If approved, the changes could take effect by July 2025. Click here to learn more

🚎 Public Transport

The reopening of the tram connection to Tallinn Airport has been postponed to June 2025 due to delays in the construction of the Rail Baltica Ülemiste terminal. In the meantime, bus lines 2 and 15 continue to serve travelers between the city center and the airport. Click here to learn more

🚃 History

Tallinn's oldest tram, built in 1955, has been restored and is now back on the tracks. The refurbished tram, which previously served as a training vehicle, has been repainted in its original red-and-yellow livery and is set to operate on special occasions and city events. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve the city's public transport heritage. Click here to learn more

🔡 Language

German has significantly influenced the Estonian language, contributing numerous words and expressions. This linguistic impact is evident in everyday vocabulary, with many Estonian terms tracing their origins to German. The article explores how historical interactions between Estonians and Germans have left a lasting imprint on the Estonian lexicon. Click here to learn more

💣 Safety

Estonia has inaugurated its first purpose-built bomb shelter in a South Estonian village. Constructed in the basement of a new volunteer rescue depot in Võru County, the shelter adheres to Finnish standards and is equipped with ventilation, water, and electricity systems. This development marks a significant step in enhancing the country's civil defense infrastructure. Click here to learn more

💰 Economy

After a year of declining sales, Estonia's retail sector is showing signs of recovery. December 2024 marked a turning point, with retail turnover increasing by 1% compared to the same month in 2023, indicating a potential rebound in consumer spending. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, forecasting modest growth in 2025, though challenges such as tax increases and cautious consumer behavior persist. Click here to learn more

🧪 Research

Estonian researchers have identified a genetic variant linked to an increased risk of depression, potentially paving the way for more personalized treatments. This discovery, stemming from a collaborative study between the University of Tartu and international partners, enhances the understanding of depression's biological underpinnings and could lead to targeted therapies in the future. Click here to learn more

🎥 Theatre

Estonian movie theaters experienced a resurgence in attendance during the first quarter of 2025, signaling a positive trend for the country's cinema industry. This uptick follows a period of declining viewership in 2024, where total ticket sales dropped by 12.4% compared to the previous year, influenced by economic challenges and global uncertainties. Click here to learn more

🎪 Festival

Nearly 11,000 dancers are set to perform in Estonia's XXI Dance Festival, part of the Song and Dance Festival titled "Kinship," taking place in Tallinn from July 3–6, 2025. This cherished event celebrates Estonian cultural heritage through traditional dance and music, drawing participants from across the country and abroad. Due to overwhelming demand, 50,000 tickets sold out within 24 hours, leading organizers to add more seating to accommodate eager spectators. Click here to learn more

🛫 Airport

Tallinn Airport achieved a record-breaking 3.5 million passengers in 2024, an 18% increase from the previous year. This milestone surpassed pre-pandemic levels and earned the airport the title of Europe's Best Airport for service. Despite extraordinary expenses, including asset write-downs and tax allocations, the airport reported a net profit of €460,000.Investments in infrastructure, such as apron expansion and terminal upgrades, totaled €29.3 million. The airport's route network expanded to 60 destinations, with airBaltic, Ryanair, Lufthansa, and Finnair being the top carriers. Click here to learn more

🪖 Defence

Tallinn is set to host the inaugural Supply, Security & Defence Expo (SSD) from May 14–16, 2025, at Bekker Port. This premier event will unite over 70 exhibitors from Estonia and abroad, including companies like Samsung, Scania, and Nortal, alongside defence industry associations from the Baltic Sea countries. The expo aims to foster collaboration among decision-makers and companies to enhance the region's defence and resilience capabilities. Notable speakers include Estonian ministers and representatives from international defence firms. Please note that the event is by invitation only, with pre-registration required.Click here to learn more