Friday, March 13, 2009

USA - New York / Long Island, Fire Island Lighthouse


Private swap, by cdempsey

CHINA - Wulingyuan Scenery / Southern Gate


Different countries RR, by Apple

FRANCE - Breton people in tradional clothes


Private swap, by Dina0711

ESTONIA - Kihnu

Kihnu is an island in the Baltic Sea. With an area of 16,4 km² it is the largest island in the Gulf of Riga and the seventh largest island of Estonia. The length of the island is 7 km and width 3.3 km, the highest point is at 8.9 m above sea level. Kihnu's mittens, troi, "ülalistmine" and striped skirts are famous in many countries, basically among craftsmen and scientists.
UNESCO proclaimed Kihnu's cultural space and traditions as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003. The Baltic islands of Manija and Kihnu are home to a small group of traditional people. For many years, the men of Kihnu have been frequently gone to sea while the women ran the island and became the guardians of the island's cultural heritage, which includes handicrafts, dances, games and music. Music is an especially important part of the island's traditions, and accompanies handicrafting, religious feasts and other celebrations. Ancient runo-styled songs are also important, as are traditional clothings adorned with decorations and bright colours that symbolize ancient legends and poems.
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ESTONIA - Haapsalu Castle

Haapsalu Castle (also Haapsalu Episcopal Castle, Estonian: Haapsalu piiskopilinnus) is a castle with cathedral in Haapsalu, western Estonia. It was founded in the thirteenth century to be a center for Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. When there is a full moon in the month of August, it is said that an image of a maiden, the White Lady, appears on the inner wall of the chapel.
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ESTONIA - Haapsalu / Railway Museum

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ESTONIA - Paide castle

Paide Castle, founded in the 1260’s, was built as a stronghold over several centuries, but was nearly completely destroyed in the Livonian War in the 1560’s and 70’s. The oldest building of the complex, the powerful six-storey keep, 30 metres high and with walls up to three metres thick, was first restored in the 1890’s, destroyed in World War II and built up again 1988-1992. The light-coloured local limestone (Est. Paas) of which the castle was built has given us both the Estonian (Paide) and the German (Weissenstein –White Stone) names of the place.
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