Shows
QuestoniaQuestonia Culture 2: Ingrid Lukas, new album 'Elumeloodia'S. Garlick talks to singer-songwriter Ingrid Lukas about her new album, 'Elumeloodia'. Ingrid discusses her creative process, plus the meaning behind the pastoral, progressive new tracks.Music: 'Strong, Bold and Brave', 'Dignity', 'Analogue Connections', and 'Minu Tänu' by Ingrid Lukas, used under licence from the artist, courtesy of Ronin Rhythm Records.Listen to more on Spotify
2023-07-0353 min
Questonia4-5: Lehtme & Slava Ukraini; Opposition Obstruction in RiigikoguS. Garlick and Maris Hellrand discuss the scandal involving former Riigikogu member Johanna Maria Lehtme and her charity, Slava Ukraini, plus the obstruction tactics by opposition parties that threatens the new government's agenda.Recorded on 20 May 2023.DONATE to Ukrainian refugees: https://www.pagulasabi.ee/en/help-ukraineSong: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4
2023-05-2342 min
QuestoniaQuestonia Culture 1: Britta Virves on her new album, 'Juniper'In this first edition of a new series by Questonia, S. Garlick talks to jazz pianist Britta Virves about the inspirations behind new debut solo album, 'Juniper'. Britta explains how the album channels her experiences growing up on Saaremaa, the largest island in Estonia, and playing with legendary jazz musicians in Sweden.Music: 'Downton', 'Saaremaa', and 'Interlude' by Britta Virves, used under licence from the artist, courtesy of Heartcore Records.Listen to more on SpotifyLearn more about Britta
2023-05-0238 min
Questonia4-4: Who's Worst Hit by the Tax Rises, and Why?S. Garlick and Maris Hellrand analyse the coalition programme for the new government, and the tax rises announced, plus ministerial appointments, and the arrest of pro-Kremlin politician Aivo Peterson.Recorded on 14 April 2023.Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4
2023-04-1749 min
Questonia4-3: The Marriage Equality U-Turn, with Vootele PäiIt looks, as of the time of publication, as though the new Estonian government may indeed back marriage equality, having seemed against it initially, in a stunning about-turn. S. Garlick talks to Vootele Päi, a Political Adviser to Social Democrat leader and outgoing Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets. Päi had set out the reasons why he felt Kaja Kallas's Reform Party wouldn't adopt marriage equality in the new governing coalition in an incendiary social media post, which was later reproduced by Estonian media. Here, he explains what he feels has changed, and why, to i...
2023-04-0755 min
Questonia4-2: Estonia, e-Voting, and Cybersecurity, with Karoliina AingeIn this special interview, S. Garlick talks to Estonian e-Voting and cybersecurity expert Karoliina Ainge, who used to work on those matters for the Estonian Government, and now advises countries all over the world as part of Independent Diplomat. Karoliina explains why e-voting works, and how Estonia became the centre of NATO's cybersecurity efforts.Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4
2023-03-2837 min
Questonia4-1: Estonia Elects: the Results, and the New GovernmentS. Garlick and Maris Hellrand analyse the Estonian 2023 Riigikogu (parliamentary) election results, which saw Kaja Kallas and the Reform Party hold onto power, in a new liberal coalition. What does it mean for Estonia, for Ukraine, and for the far-right EKRE, who were left disappointed? Will Estonia get energy security and LGBT rights? Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4
2023-03-131h 14
Questonia3-5: A Russian-Estonian Talks Narva, Putin, and IntegrationS. Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to YouTuber Artjom Dmitrijev ('Dufftie') about how a younger member of the Russian minority feels about being Estonian. They also talk about Yana Toom memes, government gesture politics, and why so many Russian-speakers in Estonia are still neutral or even pro-Putin when it comes to the war in Ukraine.Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4
2022-10-2538 min
Questonia3-4: Over 23% Inflation, and What the Narva Tank Tells UsS. Garlick and Maris Hellrand discuss the latest governing coalition in Estonia and its problems and challenges, plus how the moving of the Narva Tank was both a necessary step and something which highlighted tensions within Estonia. Recorded on Wednesday 7 September 2022.Subscribe to Questonia on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/questoniaSong: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4Ilmar Raag opinion piece (in Estonian): https://www.err.ee/1608705547/ilmar-raag-kas-riik-voib-inimestele-nende-vaateid-ette-kirjutada
2022-09-0741 min
Questonia3-3: LGBTQ+, Pride, and the Need for ProgressStuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Anette Mäletjärv, one of the organisers of Tartu Pride 2022 and an activist for the Estonian LGBT Association. They talk about the changes needed in Estonian law and politics for equal rights to become a reality. Maris and Stuart also discuss the coalition government negotiations. Recorded on Monday 27 June 2022.Subscribe to Questonia on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/questoniaSong: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4Estonian LGBT Association: https://www.lgbt.ee/Ida Raadio: https...
2022-06-2958 min
Questonia3-2: Stopping Deforestation, and the Far RightStuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Siim Kuresoo of the Estonian Fund for Nature about the growing deforestation problem in the country. The hosts also discuss in-depth what could happen now the government has collapsed. Recorded on Monday 6 June 2022.For an extended version of this episode, subscribe to Questonia on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/questoniaSong: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4Estonian Fund for Nature in English: https://elfond.ee/elf-enKoos Loodus in English: https://koosloodus.ee/in-english/
2022-06-0853 min
Questonia3-1: 'The Press in Estonia - How Free is it Really?'Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk again to Eesti Ekspress journalist Holger Roonemaa. Two of Holger's colleagues were recently fined for publishing a story suggesting that managers in Estonia's largest bank were being investigated for money-laundering. The court ruling that led to the fines has serious implications for journalism's ability to express truth about power.This comes in the same month that Estonia was named the country with the fourth-freest press of those surveyed by Reporters Without Borders.NotesThe methodology behind the 2022 World Press Freedom IndexSong: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music...
2022-05-2640 min
Questonia2-2: 'What Happened to the Estonian e-State?'Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to academic Keegan McBride, whose research has focused on Estonian e-governance. They discuss why the country's frequently lauded e-state and e-solutions have not been able to ease the impact of COVID-19 as hoped.Read Keegan McBride's article on the topic: https://neweasterneurope.eu/2021/03/11/image-of-digital-baltics-cracks-under-weight-of-pandemic/Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2021-03-2548 min
Questonia2-1: 'The New Government: Explained'Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand discuss the new Estonian government, look at the prospects for cooperation in a Reform-Centre Party coalition, and examine the agenda for Kaja Kallas and her team.Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2021-01-2451 min
Questonia13: "The 2020 Wrap"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand sort through the bin-fire that was 2020 for any traces of potential optimism to take forward to 2021, also discussing the Estonian response to the coronavirus second wave, the state of the opposition parties, and the possible marriage referendum.Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-12-2846 min
DialogiskEpisode 145: Questonia (med Frithjof Jacobsen)Gunnar har blogget om vaksiner og korona, så før Frithjof Jacobsen entrer studio tar Dag og Gunnar en viktig alvorsprat om obligatorisk vaksinasjon. Hvor sikre er egentlig vaksinene våre, og hvordan funker de? Produsent for den nye "Estonia"-dokumentaren Frithjof Jacobsen ble med i studio denne uken for å dykke ned i mysteriet og konspirasjonsteoriene som omhandler det katastrofale forliset i 1994. Hvordan går man frem for å innhente nye opplysninger mer enn tjue år senere? Og får vi noen gang svar på hva som skjedde med Estonia? -"Estonia" dokumentar på Dplay: https://www.dplay.no/programmer...
2020-10-141h 45
Questonia12: "Bike Locks or Parking Lots: Tallinn as a "Green" City?"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand discuss Tallinn's recent unsuccessful bid to be European Green Capital, and the city's green credentials, with urban expert Pärtel-Peeter Pere, in the final episode of Season 1 of the podcast - Season 2 is coming soon.Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-10-1035 min
Questonia11: "Veljo Tormis 90" - Kadri Voorand on the legendary composerStuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand are joined by musician and songwriter Kadri Voorand, who discusses inspirational composer Veljo Tormis, who would have been 90 this year, and his importance to modern Estonia.Music: Veljo Tormis, 'Ära Löö Noorikut' - Viljandi Vibes Live Sessions, originally filmed for YouTube, performed by Estonian Voices in 2016. Used under licence courtesy of Maris Aljaste and Linda Liis Eek formerly of Viljandi Vibes.
2020-09-2735 min
Questonia10: "Hands Across the Baltic" - the Latvian ViewStuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Mike Collier, a journalist based in Latvia, about the country's coronavirus response, why it has a lower infection rate than Estonia or Lithuania, and the Baltic reaction to protests in Belarus.Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-09-1038 min
Questonia9: Michelle Obama, "going high", Belarus, & EstoniaStuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to climate activist Kertu Birgit Anton, as the three of them discuss what goes into a memorable and meaningful campaign in 2020 in the wake of protests in Belarus, and Michelle Obama's speech about campaigning to the Democratic National Convention.Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-08-2644 min
Questonia8: "Estonia: Making Contact?"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Priit Tohver, E-services Development and Innovation Policy Adviser for the Ministry of Social Affairs, who among other tasks is one of the leads for the Estonian contact tracing app, Hoia, due to be released on 20 August on iOS and Android. The app has been slow in development, and they look into reasons for this. They also talk to SALTO 'Hack the Virus' Hackathon winner Sophie Wharrie, whose team developed a contact tracing app in the Estonian tech event, but whose experience was not used by the government...
2020-08-1350 min
Questonia7: "He Hired the Law, and the Law Won?"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to investigative journalist Holger Roonemaa, who broke the story that a lawyer hired by Estonia's Finance Minister Martin Helme to seek reparations for historical money laundering scandals had, himself, defended a company involved in money laundering. They discuss the fallout of this scandal, its long-term repercussions, and what is likely to happen next.Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-07-2931 min
Questonia6: "Radio Free Europe & Estonian Independence"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Dr. James Vaughan of Aberystwyth University. They discuss how Radio Free Europe helped Estonia and other Soviet-occupied countries regain their independence, Maris's recollections of working at the station under Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and the uncertain future for the United States Agency for Global Media under the Trump Administration. Recorded on 15 July 2020.Music and news clips: taken from original studio recordings of Radio Free Europe, provided by Maris Hellrand.Radio tuning sound: Creative Commons, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cowZPPHGBpA
2020-07-1643 min
Questonia5: "LGBT in Estonia"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Kristiina Raud, Communications Manager and board member for the Estonian LGBT Association.They discuss the challenges that may be faced by the LGBT+ community in Estonia in the near future, those faced by young trans people, and what it was like to celebrate Pride Month in a socially-distanced world. Recorded on 1 July 2020.Music:Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-07-0145 min
Questonia4: "Black Lives Matter"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to musician Yasmyn about her experience of being an Estonian person of colour, and there is coverage from the Black Lives Matter protest in Tallinn on 10 June. Recorded 9-10 June 2020, published 11 June 2020. Contains some strong language.Music:Excerpt from Last Laugh ft. Moeazy from Illusions by Yasmyn, used under licence and with permission from the artist. https://open.spotify.com/track/6inICCNw4goRA7xGA4KqIk?si=nsQM5el0TFKzsAvWRqpyMwTheme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-06-1137 min
Questonia3: "From a Discord"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk about education, specifically the new Estonian Interior Ministry directive that may prevent third-country nationals from coming to the country to study in higher education, and the implications of this for the country.They also talk to schoolteacher Matthijs Quaijtaal and Tartu University student Sille Võsaste about how they have adapted to distance learning, and what the education system can learn from the developments of recent months. Recorded on 27 May 2020.Music:Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-05-2848 min
Questonia2: "Throwing shale"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand discuss the implications of the Emergency Law that is being heard by the Riigikogu, and talk to Madis Vasser, Advocacy Expert for the Estonian Green Movement, about the €125m government loan to Eesti Energia, the effects of oil shale mining, and renewable energy alternatives. Recorded on 13 May 2020.Support Kuressaare Hospital: https://www.facebook.com/saarehaiglaMusic:Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0
2020-05-1438 min
Questonia1: "Back to the island"Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand discuss the relaxing of aspects of the Emergency Situation in Estonia, the gradual reopening of the major islands, and how fair the restrictions were on Hiiumaa in particular. They also hear from Trad.Attack's Sandra Vabarna on the band's new album, Make Your Move. Recorded on 29 April 2020. Support Kuressaare Hospital: https://www.facebook.com/saarehaiglaMusic: Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0Kuressaare advert: Serenity by JayJen [Audio Library Release] Music provided by...
2020-04-3053 min