Estonians in the United Kingdom

Estonian British
Eestlased Suurbritannias
Estonian Embassy in London
Total population
between 10 and 15 thousand (Estonian nationals residing in the UK in 2021)
Regions with significant populations
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Kingston upon Hull, York, Kings Lynn and Glasgow
Languages
English, Estonian, Russian.
Religion
Christianity · Judaism • Protestantism
Related ethnic groups
Finns in the United Kingdom, Swedes in the United Kingdom, Balts

Estonians in the United Kingdom are those born or raised in the UK, or residents, who are of ethnically Estonian descent or originate from Estonia, a country in North-Eastern Europe.

History, population and settlement[edit]

Lembit Öpik, British politician from Northern Ireland and Wales of Estonian origin

In the early 20th century, Estonian workers began to settle in industrial cities like Glasgow and Bristol.[1][2][3] Notable groups of Estonian-born migrants historically also included people of Estonian Jewish, Baltic German and Estonian Russian origin.

An estimated 10,000-15,000 Estonian citizens live in the UK, about 3,000-5,000 of them in London.[4] The most active communities are in London, Bradford and Leicester. There is a total of 13 Estonian societies in the UK, the oldest being the London Estonian Society established in 1921.[4] Organisations for Estonians include an Estonian School, Estonian Houses in London, Bradford and Leicester and the Association of Estonians in Great Britain. In 1947, the Estonian émigré writer and journalist Gert Helbemäe moved to London, and established the newspaper Eesti Hääl, which is currently published monthly.[5]

It is possible to study Estonian as an elective through the School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies (SSES) at University College London.[6] With support and help of the Estonian Embassy, the Estonian School in London opened in 2009, which offers supplementary Estonian language education to children.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kreinin, Lea (May 21, 2018). Estonians in Scotland. From isolation to transnational ways of living? (Thesis). University of Glasgow – via theses.gla.ac.uk.
  2. ^ Tammaru, Tiit; Kontuly, Thomas (September 21, 2011). "Selectivity and destinations of ethnic minorities leaving the main gateway cities of Estonia". Population, Space and Place. 17 (5): 674–688. doi:10.1002/psp.623 – via CrossRef.
  3. ^ Kay, Rebecca; Trevena, Paulina (2019). "'New' migrations transforming the city: East European settlement in Glasgow". Transforming Glasgow. pp. 159–178. doi:10.1332/policypress/9781447349778.003.0009. ISBN 978-1-4473-4977-8.
  4. ^ a b "United Kingdom - Relations". Estonian Embassy in London. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  5. ^ Vabar, Sven. "Gert Helbemäe". sisu.ut.ee. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Estonian". UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES). October 17, 2018.
  7. ^ "Estonian School in London Begins First School Year | Välisministeerium". vm.ee.
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