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The New York Times (13/12/2005) characterized Estonia (population 400,200 as of May 2007) as “a sort of Silicon Valley on the Baltic Sea”. Estonia’s accession to the European Union , Tallinn’s picturesque old town, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the current novelty of the destination and the cheap prices attract many tourists. British bachelors and other sex tourists unfortunately also find their ‘sex-souvenir’ at the price of a chocolate (800 krones)! Tallinn’s nightlife is endless. Unfortunately, poverty does not end at the suburbs, even if Estonia has one of the highest incomes per capita among the new EU member states. Tallinn has the largest number (27.8%) of non-EU nationals because immigration from other Soviet republics during the period of Soviet control (1944-1991) brought large numbers of non-Estonians, mostly Russians (36.6%). The Russians, even if they born in Tallinn have to pass Estonian language and history exams before being eligible for Estonian citizenship. Also, because of the Soviet occupation, couples in Estonia were not marrying, even when they were expecting children. Today, young couples continue this tradition, and unfortunately many women become single mothers.

Photographs & Text: © Maro Kouri

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21 Estonia, the new face of Tallinn Tallinn Art House. Artist Inesa Josing protests for the Estonia's Sex Industry, with her exhibition "Sex Market" © Maro Kouri 22 Estonia, the new face of Tallinn Tallinn Art House. Artist Inesa Josing protests for the Estonia's Sex Industry, with her exhibition "Sex Market" © Maro Kouri 24 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Club 'Hollywood': dance till early in the morning © Maro Kouri 25 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Central Tallinn's nightlife is endless -mostly for the foreigners but for the women of Estonia who search for the rich foreigner too. Unfortunately, poverty does not end at the suburbs, even if Estonia has one of the highest incomes per capita among the new EU member states. British bachelors and other sex tourists unfortunately also find their 'sex-souvenir' at the price of a chocolate (800 crones)! © Maro Kouri 26 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Casinos, cabarets and nightclubs are in demand, from foreign investors, as also from locals - rich and poor -, and of course from tourists © Maro Kouri 27 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn British bachelors and other sex tourists unfortunately also find their 'sex-souvenir' at the price of a chocolate (800 krones)! Central Tallinn's nightlife is endless - mostly for the foreigners but for the women of Estonia who search for the rich foreigner too. Unfortunately, povert does not end at the suburbs, even if Estonia has one of the highest incomes per capita among the new EU member states © Maro Kouri 29 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Narva central avenue. An old man waits for the old tram in front of modern newly--constructed shopping malls, offices and apartments. © Maro Kouri 32 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn German tourist -artist gets inspired by the beatiful snowy night in the medieval town. Tourism increases every year in Tallinn, because of the hospitable, and, cheap life. © Maro Kouri 33 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn 'Olde Hanse' medieval restaurant © Maro Kouri 34 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Raekoja plats (Town Hall square) on a snowy night © Maro Kouri 35 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Contemporary art flirts fashion. Tallinn's nouveaux riche citizens respond to modernism, so they like to spend money on clothing, expensive cars, mobile phones e.t.c © Maro Kouri 36 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn The proximity to Scandinavian countries, well-known for their innovative telecommunication systems, has a positive result, so that wireless connection is all over central Tallinn. Couples in love, drink their shot in the club surfing on the Internet at the same time! 93% of the population (400,200 as of May 2007 ) uses mobile phones & 55% use the Internet. © Maro Kouri 37 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Because of the Soviet occupation, couples in Estonia were not marrying, even they were obtaining children. Today, the young couples continue this tradition... © Maro Kouri 38 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Because of the Soviet occupation, couples in Estonia were not marrying, even when they make children. Today, young couples continue this tradition... © Maro Kouri 40 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn The KGB were secretly based at the top of the Viru Hotel, during the Soviet occupation, spying on all clients, 24 hours non-stop! © Maro Kouri 41 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Due to the Soviet occupation, Estonians do not marry and the percentage of single mothers is higher than 50%. © Maro Kouri 43 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Pirita beach, 2 km north-east of Kadriorg. © Maro Kouri 44 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn 'Lasnamae' is one of the poor suburbs with blocks of worker's flats © Maro Kouri 45 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn KUMU art museum. © Maro Kouri 46 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn The old medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the modern buildings that are 'growing up' exponentially after Estonia's accession to the European Union © Maro Kouri 47 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn At the port, the old steamship 'Auralaev' hosts a romantic restaurant, open day & night. © Maro Kouri 48 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Into the beautiful Kadriorg Park, Kadriorg Palace hosts (part of) the Art Musum. © Maro Kouri 49 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Esthonian man with his girlfriend from St' Petersburg admire the view from the top of the medieval town © Maro Kouri 50 Estonia, Tallinn old town. Prime minister Andrus Ansip drinks beer with student's chief on Independence Day © Maro Kouri 51 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Pirita is this coastal district, 2 km north-east of Kadriorg. The marina was built for the Moscow Olympics of 1980, but for the less capable, boats can be hired on the Pirita river © Maro Kouri 54 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Hollywood club:dance till early in the morning © Maro Kouri 53 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn 'Moscva' is one of the most known cult Estonian cafes. © Maro Kouri 55 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Mostly Russian women work at night. Greek cafe bar 'Island' is well-known among Tallinn's youth, who drink their shots while surfing wireless Internet on their laptops. © Maro Kouri 56 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Just before landing at Tallinn's airport, panoramic view of the sunshine city. © Maro Kouri 57 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Little girl outside her school in Kalamaja. A poor suburb with beautiful wooden houses, where in recent years, nouveaux-riche and celebrity citizens have bought properties to renovate and live in. © Maro Kouri 58 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Most of the Russian immigrants are poor and buy their food from the cheap Baltijaam Market. At the same time, young Estonians take advantage of foreign investment and do their shopping in new shopping centres such us 'Viru'. © Maro Kouri 59 Estonia, The new face of Tallinn Fishermen in the snowing Pirita river, 2 km north-east of Kadriorg. The marina was built for the Moscow Olympics of 1980, but for the less capable, boats can be hired on the Pirita river © Maro Kouri
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