Mothers' Day in Estonia

Date: Mothers' Day in Estonia is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, aligning with many other countries worldwide.

History

• Origins: The celebration of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to ancient festivals, but the modern incarnation of Mother's Day has its roots in early 20th-century American activism.
• Establishment in Estonia: It was first celebrated in Estonia during the interwar period of the 1920s and became an official holiday in 1922.
• Soviet Era: During the Soviet occupation, Mother's Day was not officially recognized; however, International Women's Day on March 8th somewhat took its place.
• Post-independence: After regaining independence in 1991, Estonia reinstated Mothers' Day as a national holiday.

Traditions

• Estonians celebrate Mothers' Day by honoring mothers and mother figures.
• Families often gather for a festive meal.
• Children typically give handmade cards and gifts to their mothers.
• Schools and kindergartens often host events or performances leading up to the holiday where children sing songs and recite poems dedicated to their mothers.

Activities

• Many people use the day as an opportunity to spend quality time with their mothers, such as going for a walk or visiting a favorite place together.
• Flowers, particularly carnations and roses, are popular gifts on this day.
• There is also a tradition of wearing a "mother's pin" (emadepäeva märk), which is usually designed by schoolchildren and sold to raise money for charity.

Mothers' Day in Estonia serves as a celebration of motherhood and maternal bonds, reflecting both personal gratitude towards individual mothers as well as broader societal recognition of the contributions of all mothers.