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Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
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Helena-Reet: Öökuninganna (Night queen), seashore people’s festival “Sea song’s PARTY”, Tallinn Old Town and Meistrite (Masters’) courtyard

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet – It is the weekend.. It’s been a few days since my last blog, but so many things have happened. There are actually things happening all the time and it is way easier to post more frequently as opposed to making summaries over an extended period of time. After every day there are tens of new pictures in my phone and so many things have been seen-done-visited. Anyway, here you can read the best episodes from my past three days.

Me and Allan, we went to see Piret Jaaks’s play “Öökuninganna” in Kolga manor in Kuusalu parish on the Pudisoo river bank. Cast: Ülle Lichtfeldt (Rakvere Teatre), Miika Pihlak ja Jaanis Valk (roles of Elli, Jakob and Meemees/Honeyman). The hall was small but fully booked and the applause after the play ended was neverending. We liked the play very much (especially act II), but it has to be said that generally Estonian actors and the Estonian theatre are at a good level!




The last play we saw before the “Öökuninganna” was a long time ago. I guess it was the end of March in Kaja Culture Centre, a play directed by Jaanus Nuutre and set up by Mart Sander for Raimond Valgre’s 110th anniversary – a musical drama play “Peaksime rääkima Raimondist” (We should talk about Raimond). Cast: Liisa Pulk, Mart Sander, Nikolai Bentsler, Jürgen Gansen (Kuressaare Theatre), Hardo Adamson, Miika Pihlak, Kristjan Arunurm (Salme Theatre).

The play was “beyond the generation of me and Allan” and this was reflected in the play’s audience.. but… knowing bits and pieces of the history of that time, being aware of Valgre’s music, it was very proximate and profound and fascinating in Mart Sander’s style. By the way, “Viimne valss” (the final waltz), that was played at Valgre’s funeral in the play by Mart Sander, today belongs to Mart Sander. Fun fact, isn’t it?

Also today was a mega cool day! My older daughter Estella Elisheva (18) has actively started branding our Elisheva & Shoshana brand. When my daughters were young, at one point I was thinking that I’d love to give them something for life and so I created a brand after their names (see the story of our little family firm here: elishevashoshana.com).

Now for an n-th time already she registered us for a fair. This time it was July 13th in Viimsi Open Air Museum (Rohuneeme street 53a, Pringi village, Viimsi parish) where the seashore people’s festival “Sea song’s PARTY” took place. In the frame of this event also an extensive old property and handicraft fair was held. Estella Elisheva was selling our handmade Estonian handicraft cosmetics – handicraft soaps, hair care products and body care products, scented bath salts, etc. The pictures from the fair are taken before it started and therefore there are few people in the pictures.

The event was free of charge for the visitors and thus it was packed. Estella did a decent box office and is very enthusiastic about entrepreneurship. This is how one gathers experience… 🙂 I am very proud of her entrepreneurship. She not merely takes action and not merely collects in the piggy bank, but she also studies different possibilities for investment. Such a great baby that I have! Hopefully, once I am retired, I am gonna have at least a back-up wine fund 😀 hahaaaa… hahaa









We helped Estella set up the sales desk and then Estella stayed alone in the Viimsi Open Air Museum to sell E&S products. Ivanka Shoshana went with Margus to Tallinn Sea Days and me and Allan, we had a day for the two of us. The first thing we did was at Viimsi Pihlaka cafe, a Cafe Latte and lemon cream eclair! My all time favourite from among the shop’s cooking dough products. Yumm!

Then we drove to Tallinn old town with Allan, parked the car and just walked in the old town. I hadn’t done that in a while and it was so nice! Viru Street, Vene Street, Town Hall Square, Harju Street, etc. And then…


… All of a sudden we stumbled upon a tiny old town courtyard – Master’s courtyard (Vene street 6), where in the courtyard’s back pocket I found something astonishing — a Ceramics chamber! What fantastic ceramics! Firstly I thought it would be an exhibition, but it’s a ceramics shop where they sell the art of various artists. I may be wrong but I guess there are the works of six artists that have graduated from Estonian Art Academy (Rita Randmaa, Elize Hiiop, Üllo Karro, Ann Nurga, Janne Runin, Jana Zgun).

WHAT AN AWESOME GALLERY SHOP!!! Really!! Oh how I love ceramics, I have been attending a ceramics class with Ivanka for years now… I was/am so amazed! I liked everything that they sold there.. but most of all I liked Ann Nurga‘s art. She can be found on social media under the name Savinõid. I am still so excited about what I saw. I liked it a lot, it was very inspiring… I got the exact feeling you get in your stomach when you feel like you’re ready to create something new, when you feel like you’re filled with inspiration. AWESOME, THANK YOU!!!



The day ended in a traditional Italian cuisine restaurant Controvento (Vene 12, Katariina passage).





Until next time! Hugs!

Estonia recommends strengthening EU tobacco and nicotine products regulations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Estonia considers it necessary to have a unified approach across the European Union, because in this way, not only Estonia, but the whole Europe will be healthier.

“This is already a question of survival—Estonians, especially the young people, hold the “black” first place in the world in e-cigarette consumption, our consumption is also growing very rapidly and we have an unprecedented number of different products registered for sale. We are very concerned about the health of the Estonians and the damage to the environment. If we act domestically, we will not be completely successful because goods move freely within the European Union. Unfortunately, we can also see the results of the tobacco lobby in Estonia, and there is a lot of misleading information and ignorance. It was especially positive today to hear young people’s representatives say that they expect more decisiveness from politicians in restricting nicotine,” Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta explained.

Estonia recommends the European Commission to establish lists of flavourings allowed throughout Europe and set upper limits for nicotine content, ban internet sales and introduce standard packaging to reduce attractiveness. It is also recommended to extend smoke-free areas and ban the marketing of single-use e-cigarettes.

“We support EU-level regulations, but we also want to see much more prevention and information activities at national level. This is necessary, so that the life and health of people, including our close ones, would be protected. In Isamaa’s opinion, it is necessary to channel more money into the promotion of healthy lifestyles, in order to introduce them in society more widely, but especially among the young people,” member of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Solman said.

According to the survey of health behaviour among the adult population, in 2020, regular e-cigarette users formed 3.8% of the adult population in Estonia, but in 2022, this percentage had already risen to 10.4%.

A worrying trend is the increase among young women, where the number of daily cigarette users had risen to 11.5% in just a few years. The number of nicotine pouch users has also increased among the younger age group, where a total of 20% of men aged 16–24 were regular users in 2022.

Estonia’s positions regarding the updating of the legal acts of the European Union on tobacco and nicotine products were discussed at the public sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu. Representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs, WHO Country Office in Estonia, National Institute for Health Development, Tartu University Hospital, Estonian Medical Association, Estonian Junior Doctors Association, Estonian Respiratory Society, Health Promotion Union of Estonia, Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonian Association of Youth Workers, Estonian School Students Councils Union, OÜ Eesti Elektroonikaromu, Youth Environmental Council and NPO Eesti Elektri- ja Elektroonikaseadmete Ringlus participated in the public sitting. Video recording of the public debate can be viewed on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, +372 502 6191

Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Estonia recommends strengthening EU tobacco and nicotine products regulations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee considers harsher rules on vapes and nicotine pouches

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

In the opinion of the Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta, Estonia’s main concern is its global record in the consumption of e-cigarettes. “Besides that, the growth trend in consumption has also been very rapid in Estonia, otherwise we would not hold this black record in the world, and the number of products containing nicotine that are registered for sale here is by far the highest in Europe. In this situation, we will hear what are the specific points of concern for both experts and the representatives of young people. I encourage everyone to listen and to think, because the health and environmental damages caused by nicotine are among the most easily preventable damages,” Pakosta pointed out.

“Usually we work with the draft legislation prepared in the European Union, but now we are ourselves making a proposal to the European Commission on behalf of Estonia to initiate a new draft and harmonise restrictions throughout the European Union,” Pakosta said.

The purpose of the public debate held on Friday is to get information on the points of concern relating to the novel tobacco products sector with the help of experts. After that, the members of the Riigikogu will formulate their assessment regarding Estonia’s positions on the European Union legislation on tobacco and nicotine products, prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs. This is Estonia’s proposal to the European Commission to harmonise requirements for all products containing nicotine, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The aim is to reduce health and environmental damages in the EU.

Minister of Health Riina Sikkut, Liaison Officer of the World Health Organization in Estonia Kristina Köhler, Head of Dugs and Addictions Department of the National Institute for Health Development Anneli Sammel, Head of the Children and Youth Unit of the National Institute for Health Development Tiia Pertel, Senior Doctor and Lecturer at Tartu University Hospital Kristjan Pomm, representative of the Estonian Junior Doctors Association Patrick Pihelgas, representative of the Estonian Medical Association Neeme Tõnisson, member of Youth Environmental Council Brigitta Taling, CEO of WeeRec OÜ Hans Talgre, police service cadet at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences Taavi-Toomas Leemets and Research Fellow in Health Policy at the University of Tartu Mariliis Põld will present reports at the sitting.

The public debate will take place on Friday, 12 July at 9 a.m. in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu, and it will be live streamed online. Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, + 372 502 6191

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee considers harsher rules on vapes and nicotine pouches

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Helena-Reet: Summer!!! New strawberry beds (garden photos.. June vs July)

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet – It is summer (for quite a while!), but I don’t want to start each post with the sentence that I don’t know how time flies so quickly and that I haven’t been posting in ages again 😀 hahaaa… Well and now there are already three Spain trips that need to be reflected on… Also I need to post for March, April, May, June… Really, OMG!!! But no worries… Now I have got a good idea. I will just start scrolling my phone and write everything retrospectively… (at some point) 😀

But it is the easiest to start from today. Therefore… Today is Wednesday, July 10th. I woke up at about 8:00 (nice long sleep aaah?) and prepared a royal breakfast:

– Taarapõllu farm’s “Unquidonia juice” shot (boosts the metabolism). I bought it out of interest already a week ago to test it and I really like it.
– Warm oatmeal porridge with green salad, seasoned with sugar and drowning in sour cream.
– sandwiches with yellow tomato and ham and cheese
– strawberries, grapes and sweet cherries
– and COFFEE with milk!

PS! On the kitchen table up to today the daisies that I picked and the roses that Allan gave me last week still please the eye! These pictures are also from last week… such is our almost every breakfast and I do not take new pictures each time :).

Anyway… when everybody was full, Ivanka attended her online private lesson with my little sister Hanna-Liisa in Zoom (or maybe in Google Meet (they do one hour of general studies daily), I went to the garden to weed and mow and Allan was at the home office.




The garden is large, so I do a little bit every time. Today I completed the surroundings of the strawberry bed and planted salad seeds and dill, since those I planted 2.5 weeks ago didn’t grow. Mhmmm.. Also I am amazed that the various strawberries I bought from Bauhof (Korona, Ostara, Elsanta, Elvira, Senga Sengana) grow leaves and shoots but there are no berries. Maybe there will not be berries during the first year. Who knows? Not me..
Pictures from the day I planted the strawberries (June 2nd 2024). I asked Allan to build me some more boxes for plants. So I got two new beautiful boxes. The plants were so small when I bought them and it seemed that everything was alright… but now a month from that I realize I planted them too close to each other and I actually need more boxes…





On June 2nd we also did our first grill this year 😛

Now garden pics from today. PS! I first planted the seeds of salad, dill and basil on June 24th (these little tassels that you can see in the pics have been growing for a few weeks). Today I added to the same bed some salad and dill, it seems the seeds don’t grow. By the way, it is not the first time this happens that I buy the seeds and there is hardly any harvest. Maybe they sold me old seeds? Mhmmm… There’s also a chance that birds come and eat up all the seeds.

To conclude it, here are some pics from my latest manicure. Mega beautiful! Also the garden was super beautiful after the gardening works, the weather was amazing today and Ivanka was in a good mood… such a positive vibe!

Hugs! XOXOXO
…Now I’ll have a look at what the markets (stock exchange) is doing and then maybe I will start another blog 🙂



Riigikogu will convene for an extraordinary session on 15 July

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The agenda includes the renewed deliberation of the  Motor Vehicle Tax Act (364 UA), which the President of the Republic has refused to proclaim, and an extraordinary election of the Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu.

As regards the working schedule of the extraordinary session, the Board of the Riigikogu proposes to work without a recess until all items on the agenda have been deliberated.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Riigikogu will convene for an extraordinary session on 15 July

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar attends NATO Parliamentary Summit in Washington

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

According to Hussar, Estonia’s priority is to achieve strong support for Ukraine. “It is necessary to create a NATO support mechanism to coordinate providing military aid and training to Ukraine. It is also important to underline that military aid is long-term and Ukraine can count on it. Coordinated and predictable military aid will create the preconditions for Ukraine’s victory and NATO membership,” Hussar said.

“The greatest threat to NATO from all strategic directions is Russia. It is important to agree with our allies how we plan to contain Russia’s aggressive actions in the long term and how we will respond to Russia’s robust hybrid activities,” Hussar said. “We must also continue with increasing the cost of aggression for Russia. We have to do all we can to help Ukraine to victory and to restore peace in Europe.”

“The discussions will also focus on strengthening defence capability and increasing defence spending. NATO’s new defence plans provide for the development of new capabilities and the acquisition of ammunition. As the new targets also require a higher contribution, it is necessary that as many allies as possible bring their defence spending to at least 2.5% of GDP. In the future, 2.5% should be the target level for all NATO member countries, and raising of the target level should be discussed already at the next summit in the Netherlands,” Hussar emphasised.

In Washington, Hussar will meet with President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal José Pedro Aguiar-Branco and President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain Francina Armengol Socias.

Lauri Hussar is accompanied on the visit by Head of the Estonian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Raimond Kaljulaid.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar attends NATO Parliamentary Summit in Washington

Source: Parliament of Estonia

OSCE PA Annual Session focuses on supporting Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“Russia has committed serious violations of international law. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly defends democratic values and supports a free and rules-based world order. Ukraine is a part of the OSCE family and we will not leave them behind. We continue to be ready to support Ukraine in every way and to stand for our common values,” Raidma said.

Member of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions of the OSCE PA Heljo Pikhof highlighted the importance of condemning the deportation of Ukrainian children. “Human rights violations against children must be condemned, and these children must be immediately released and allowed to return home. Russia must be brought to justice for all the crimes against humanity it has committed,” she emphasised.

The OSCE PA continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, and its Annual Session, held in in Bucharest, Romania, from Saturday to Wednesday, focuses on continued political support for Ukraine. The OSCE PA is also increasing its attention on the Middle East crisis, and is involving the representatives of Israel and Mediterranean countries in the work of the Assembly. For the first time, an OSCE plenary session will focus entirely on the Middle East.

The agenda of the Annual Session also covers security challenges related to artificial intelligence, disinformation and propaganda, climate change and water scarcity, countering the proliferation of synthetic opioids, antisemitism, corruption, migration, human trafficking and environmental protection in armed conflicts.

The aim of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is to increase the involvement of its participating states in resolving European political and security issues, to enhance civilian control over military affairs and to strengthen the responsibility and influence of members of parliament.

The Annual Session is streamed on the OSCE PA YouTube channel and the web page of the Assembly. 

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: OSCE PA Annual Session focuses on supporting Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar to Armenian Foreign Minister: Armenia is a priority country for Estonia’s development cooperation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia that Estonia was continuing the supporting of Armenia’s democracy and aspirations to accede to the European Union.

Hussar assured that Estonia’s bilateral relations with Armenia were excellent, and recalled the successful and meaningful visit of his Armenian counterpart to Estonia in March. “Since last year, Armenia is again a priority country for Estonia’s development cooperation. We have focused on supporting education and democracy,” Hussar said.

Estonia and Armenia have had successful joint activities in IT, space technology, education and culture.

Mirzoyan also expressed satisfaction with bilateral cooperation. “We have historic sympathy between our two counties,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia said. According to him, it is important that Estonia supports Armenia’s aspirations to become a member of the European Union, to be a part of the democratic world.

The situation in the South Caucasus and the factors influencing the situation there were also discussed at the meeting. Hussar underlined that Estonia considered it important to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in the region.

Hussar and Mirzoyan also spoke of Russia’s war in Ukraine and discussed the changed security situation in the world. Hussar emphasised that Ukraine’s victory and Russia’s continued international isolation were of key importance to ensuring feeling of security in relations between countries.

Chairman of the Estonia-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Mati Raidma also participated in the meeting.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal,
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: Hussar to Armenian Foreign Minister: Armenia is a priority country for Estonia’s development cooperation

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar discussed economic relations and cooperation in education with President of Singapore

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the meeting that Estonia and Singapore had much in common, as they both were small and efficient countries with open economies. “Estonia learnt from you when we started building our country 30 years ago, and now we have reached a level we can be proud of,” he stated.

Hussar pointed out that the two countries were also united by a high level of education. “According to PISA tests, Estonia and Singapore are both leading countries in basic education. Good education is the foundation of future development and also provides the basis for future economic growth,” Hussar said. He also acknowledged the strong economic ties between the two countries and underlined that Estonia would like to develop the relations and cooperation further, especially in the digital sector.

Speaking of Russia’s full-scale war, which has lasted nearly 2.5 years, Hussar said he was concerned about the developments in Ukraine. “We have to help Ukraine in every way and as much as we can, so that Russia would be defeated in this war it has itself started. Otherwise, it will have a much wider impact – not only in Ukraine, but also in the rest of the world,” he said, and thanked Singapore for supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions against Russia. It was also emphasised at the meeting that Russia must be held accountable for the crimes and destruction it had committed in Ukraine.

Topics relating to education, as well as the global security situation, the impact of Russian propaganda and the developments in China were also discussed in depth at the meeting. Besides Hussar, member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Andres Sutt and member of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Kadri Tali participated in the meeting.

The President of Singapore, who is on an official visit to Estonia, has already had meetings with President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and representatives of Estonian start-up companies. Today he will also meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna. The President of Singapore is on the visit together with his wife Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar discussed economic relations and cooperation in education with President of Singapore

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Report of the Expert Panel on Competitiveness completed

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Expert Panel was convened last year. The result of its work is a comprehensive report “The Situation and Perspectives of the Estonian Economy. Report of the Expert Panel on Competitiveness to the Riigikogu” that discusses the future prospects, opportunities and obstacles of the Estonian economy, and outlines forward-looking economic policy recommendations.

Members of the press, You are welcome to attend the press conference where Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Jaak Aab and members of the Expert Panel on Competitiveness Ülo Kaasik, Priit Vahter, Kadri Männasoo and Uku Varblane will give an overview of the contents of the report and its recommendations.

The press conference will be held today at 12 noon in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu. The press conference will be webcast live.

The report shows that changes in business models multiply the positive impact of digitalisation, and artificial intelligence also has a great potential in increasing productivity. The report also focuses on energy, highlighting new incentives to invest in Estonia brought about by the green transition, underlining the need to think about energy efficiency when valorising green electricity, and setting out that 60–80% share of renewable energy will ensure the lowest price of electricity. At the same time, Estonia’s productivity is held back by education drop-outs, mismatches between jobs and skills and excessive labour turnover.

The members of the Expert Panel on Competitiveness are Deputy Governor of the Bank of Estonia Ülo Kaasik, Professor of Applied Economics of the University of Tartu Priit Vahter, Tenured Professor of Applied Econometrics at Tallinn University of Technology Kadri Männasoo and Head of Research at the Foresight Centre Uku Varblane. Numerous experts and stakeholders, like other universities and research institutes, representatives of employers and employees as well as public authorities were also involved in the work of the Expert Panel.

The video recording can be viewed later on the YouTube channel of the Riigikogu.
Photos can later be found in the Riigikogu photo archive (author: Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu).

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Report of the Expert Panel on Competitiveness completed

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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