If there were only one event I could go back to Estonia for (besides the song festival - Laulupidu - and Christmas) it wouldn't be the midsummer celebration - Jaanipaeve - or the beer festival or even the Old Town Days (which I loved), it would be the lesser known annual handicrafts fair for St. Martins Day.
This year, 2009, it will again be held at Saku Suurhall in the northwest area of Tallinn, called Rocca Al Mare, on November 5th to the 7th. You can get here by car (free parking) or by bus. It costs 50 EEKs for adult admission, and there are discount and family tickets also available. This small price tag is well worth it if you are interested in native cuisine, handicrafts, or Estonian music.
As you enter the oval outer ring on the second floor, homemade food goods: honey, jams and breads are set up for purchase on tables. Enter through the doorways between tables and you will see the main level laid out below. Go down several levels of stairs to browse these wares or have a seat on the plastic stadium seats to munch on a snack and watch the occasional musical performance at the opposite end of the hall. Here you can find handicrafts of all shapes and sizes. From amazingly warm wool baby buntings and all sizes of bed comforters, to woolen and flannel gloves, hats, boots and socks, from handwoven linens to leather purses, from wooden dishes and utensils to iron bells, the options seem endless in spite of the modest size of the arena.
Almost hidden between all the stalls is the best part of this fair . . . For between 30 to 60 EEKS per person, you and your kids can sit down and participate in Estonian culture. You can paint a ceramic figurine, shape ironworks or learn to weave using a real loom. My kids had a blast and so did I. We came away with some treasures and great memories.
The prices and variety of handicrafts here are the best you'll get all year. And with all there is to see and do, you may, like us, end up staying far longer than planned.
Saku Suurhall address:
www.sakusuurhall.eeAS ROCCA AL MARE SUURHALL
Paldiski st. 104B, 13522 Tallinn, Estonia
Can't wait to go back!
No comments:
Post a Comment