I read your blog and was frustrated with the image our country and people are able to portray when the truth may often be of vast difference. Racism, of course, deserves no excuse, but as an Estonian, I do feel the need to say that a lot of our ‘racist’ behaviour is caused by fear rather than anger. The fear itself comes from the fact that the country is just 20 years old- which is my age- and there have been only 20 years during which travelling from and to the country has been considerably easy. And let’s face it: how many people from outside the former eastern block and especially from outside Europe would dare or even want to come? There are not many people of colour permanently resident in our country and the number is stubborn to grow, because the reputation is hard to shake. I am convinced prejudice towards ethnic people is more widespread among the older generation, who, for most of their lives, have been surrounded with only caucasian people. It has not been their own choice and doesn’t describe their original attitude towards foreigners, but is a result of a Soviet regime that has left a scar on our nation: a scar that is healing, though slowly so, and is evident in our fear of the unknown.

What my point is: I feel terrible for you and your family for having such an unfortunate experience while visiting Tallinn, but am hoping you and other readers realise that not all people are the same. Not all looks that you feel on you are disapproving. We are like children: we are curious. I admit noticing a very dark skinned person on the street: he stands out among our blonde, pasty people. I turn my head, because sometimes I want to see if he looks like he’s enjoying himself here: because I’m hoping he does. I am thrilled to see people, who are obviously not from here, interested in our country and bold enough to dismiss all the criticism and bad reputation and experience Estonia themselves.

I can only hope that as time goes on, our people will become more relaxed and accepting about the country becoming more multicultural. I simply hope that the world understands: this is all still fairly new to us

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