Page 10 - travel guide 10.06

Cultural influences

Languages
Art Nouveau style in Estonia was Jacques Rosenbaum.
As you have read in the article on our website, Latvian
and Estonian come from two distinct language fami- To complete the article on architecture we wanted to
lies. It is very interesting notion to start understanding focus on the architecture today. Latvian architecture
the culture of these two countries because languages today looks forward to regenerating the traditional he-
are a clear reflection of local cultures. Ludwig Wit- ritage and embracing post-modernism. Distinguished
tgenstein said “The limits of my language means the local architects are devoted to saving and reconstruc-
limits of my world”; if we apply it on a larger scale it ting 19th century Latvian wooden architecture, such as
shows that culture creates words to answer a vision of private houses in Ķīpsala, Rīga, by Ms. Zaiga Gaile. They
the world, as the well-known example of the 50 words also have launched the redevelopment of the Spīķe- When considering politics in Latvia and Estonia, it is important to remember that they only gained their full
that Inuit use to say the equivalent of snow. ri district, bringing back to life each of the obsolete independence in 1991. Their experience with democracy in the 1920s was brief and ended up with an authoritarian
Here is the proportion of other languages present in red brick warehouses by opening galleries, museums, regime before turning into Socialist Soviet Republic. Therefore, their consideration over politics are quite different
these countries: shops and cafes. The district became a lively venue than what we are used to in our old democracies.
of the programme of Rīga – the European Capital of
Estonia Culture 2014.
Estonian 69% native speakers (official)
Russian 30% native speakers Estonia is a parliamentary representative
English 0,07% native speakers but understood at 38% Gastronomy democratic republic. The executive power is exercised
Others: German & French by a government, led by the Prime Minister (currently
Nowadays, Latvian cuisine is a melting pot of various Jüri Ratas). As a parliamentary regime, Estonia
Latvia influences. Most popular bread in Latvia is made of rye. has a President, who is a ceremonial figurehead
Latvian (Official) 62,1% Potato is "the second bread” for Latvians, which is used without executive power. The President has to be
Russian 37,2% in main courses, soups and even salads. Locals are independent and impartial: s/he must suspend his/
fond of dairy products like cottage cheese and curdled her membership to any political party and all his /
milk. Before settling down as farmers, Latvians used her elected offices terminate automatically. Kersti
to be hunters and gatherers. It is still reflected in the Kaljulaid is the current president and will stay in Latvia is a parliamentary representative
Architecture popularity of game, as well as in picking berries and office until 2021. democratic republic. The executive power is
mushrooms..The half a thousand kilometre coastline
exercised by a government, led by current Prime
The northern crusades brought about huge changes is littered with fishermen villages. They have provided The legislature power relies in the parliament, Minister Māris Kučinskis. Latvia is a parliamentary
in the society, culture and architecture of Estonia. In- Latvians with eels, flounders, lampreys and cods. called the Riigikogu, which has 101 members. They regime where the president, Raimonds Vējonis,
fluences came mainly from German-speaking areas and are elected for a four-year term, on proportional is a ceremonial figurehead without executive
Scandinavia. The new religion (Catholicism) prompted Domestic drinks from spring water to strong spirits can representation. In the proportional system, the power. The legislative power is vested in both the
the erection of churches like St. Olaf's church or the quench the thirst after a Latvian meal. Spring mineral electorate votes for a political party, which gets a government and the parliament.
church of the Holy Ghost which still testify Gothic style. waters from Ķemeri, Baldone or Zaķumuiža refresh and proportion of seats in parliament that represent the
cure. Most popular alcoholic beverage is beer. Dark la- proportion of votes they obtained at the election.
Medieval buildings from the civic architecture, known ger is the typical sort for Latvia. Estonia is based on a multi-party system. A party The Latvia Parliament, called the Saeima, has 100
as 'Tallinn Gothic', testify the importance of Tallinn as must gain at least 5% of all votes to gain entry to members, elected by proportional representation
a trading city; Tallinn Town Hall, the Raeapteek (town Traditional Estonian cuisine has substantially been the parliament. The last parliamentary elections in with a 5% threshold. The elections are held every
hall pharmacy) and the buildings of the former guilds based on meat and potatoes, and on fish in coastal Estonia were held on 1 March 2015. The Estonian four year on the first Saturday of October. In the
in Tallinn: the Great Guild , St. Olaf's Guild and the later and lakeside areas, but now bears influence from many Reform Party obtained 30 seats out of 101, which Latvian multi-party system, it is unlikely that
Brotherhood of Blackheads. other cuisines, including a variety of international wasn’t enough to form a majority, the Estonian Centre a single party has a chance of gaining power
foods and dishes, with a number of contributions from Party has 27 seats and the Social Democratic Party alone: parties must work with each other to
Tallinn is one of the world's best preserved medieval the traditions of nearby countries. Scandinavian, Ger- arrived 3rd with 15 seats. form coalition government. The last elections
architectural ensembles, and is listed as one of UNES- man, Russian Latvian, Lithuanian and other influences were held on the 4 October 2014. The Social
CO's World Heritage Sites since 1997. have played their part. The most typical foods in Es- Democratic Party "Harmony" obtained 24 seats
tonia have been rye bread, pork, potatoes and dairy out of 100, followed by Unity (liberal conservative)
At the end of the 19th century, Art Nouveau influences products. Estonian eating habits have historically been with 23 seats, Union of Greens and Farmers (green
reached Estonia. Major sources of inspiration were closely linked to the seasons. In terms of staples, Es- conservative) 21 seats and the National Alliance
partly from the vibrant Art Nouveau scene in Riga and tonia belongs firmly to the beer, vodka, rye bread and (national conservative) which obtained 17 seats.
partly Finnish national romanticism. Perhaps pork "belt" of Europe. The government was formed by Unity,
8 the most well-known architect who worked in the Union of Greens and Farmers and the 9
National Alliance.