(First Full) Day One: Who would have "thunk" it? I come to the Baltic Three to study a little bit, and I end up learning a great deal on my first day. To quickly summarize the day, we woke up for breakfast, then had a lecture by a local professor of Economics. After a "tight scheduled" lunch, we headed to the Kalev Chocolate Factory then had a walking tour of the city of Tallinn. We had our welcome dinner followed by a stop at a pub for a drink, ending now back in our hostel for a good night's rest. (11:30 pm local time)
Today was quite an exhausting experience, but worth every missed second of sleep. We all had to be up and walking to our breakfast cafe by 8:30 am (1:30 am ET/ 12:30 am CT) on little rest and jet lag. Once we finished our breakfast, we walked ten minutes to the University of Tartu Law School which is located here in Tallinn. (The main college campus is obviously in Tartu, Estonia.)
Our first speaker, Dr. Urmas Varblane is a professor of Economics at "UT," (the real UT for you Tennessee and Texas fans...BOOM, roasted!) and an advisor of economic matters to the Estonian government. Dr. Varblane started by introducing the University of Tartu, which was founded in 1632 by Gustav Adolf II (better known as Gustavus Adolphus in English) the leader of the Swedish Empire. While it was primarily focused on international studies, the University has broadened its curriculum into numerous fields including the Law School in Tallinn. Dr. Varblane highlighted some important facts and figures on Estonia including its famous high growth through the 2000's ended by its enormous hit from last year through today. Estonia was hit hard due to the economic collapse mostly from its high foreign investment. He also illustrated the shock therapy transition from its Soviet communist roots to a market economy while also describing the currency board system of fixed exchange on which Estonia runs. His lecture was a very informational introduction to our week in Estonia. Although many were tired, Dr. Varblane helped keep our eyes open.
We had an hour break for lunch before we headed to Kalev Chocolate Factory, however the poor guy at the cafe was the only person there meaning he took orders, cooked the food, and had to deliver the food to the table. Our hour lunch turned into a 5 minute scarfing of pasta. We hurried to the 13 seater bus to take us to Kalev Chocolate Factory. Kalev is a producer of confectionary items and the market share leader of such goods in Estonia. While the history of its founders and production of confectionary items dates to 1806, the Kalev Chocolate Factory was not privatized until 1993 after the Soviets exited Estonia. It's current powerful position is summarized by its Vision Statement: for Estonia to be known as the home of Kalev. We began our visit with a tour of the factory that directly produces chocolate. The tour gave us an immediate opportunity to examine a production line which in turn enabled us to critique and analyze the process and its workers. Followed by a few bumps in walls/beams, we made it back to the office for a presentation by the Kalev Factory's Chairman of the Board, Kati Kusman. Ms. Kusman helped us directly see, through its financials, the position Kalev holds on the Baltic chocolate and confectionary item industry. Kalev, currently part of Luterma AS and controlled on the market by Rubla AS (75% share in the company), offers many competitive advantages including its historic image, wide product range, "unique, natural taste," competitive product development, and first position leader status in the Baltics. Of course, Kalev has been hit by the economic collapse shown by its cuts in its production portfolio and employee vacation time. However, Ms. Kusman theorized that their investment in top-to-bottom integration will help them in the long run. If its historic past is any indication, Kalev will bounce back from the recession and continue to be a market leader.
After the bus ride back to the city, we gathered at the entrace to "Old Town" Tallinn for a city tour. Tallinn is an absolutely beautiful yet indescribable city. Truly a hidden treasure in Europe and the world for that matter, Tallinn has been shaped by its evolving past and present. Presided over by countless countries and states, each entity that has occupied the area has left its mark on the future 2011 European Capital of Culture. We capped off our city tour with a dinner and skit at the local Peppersack Restaurant consisting of Chicken, Salmon, Potatoes, Pork, Crianza, and Coffee. Of course, my camera died on me so as to eliminate a video post, but thanks to Graham I will try to include a video of the "skit" by tomorrow. For now though, I am posting one of my last pictures taken (Old Town shown by the red roof buildings in front and shadowed by the modern New Tallinn).
Cheers!
Today was quite an exhausting experience, but worth every missed second of sleep. We all had to be up and walking to our breakfast cafe by 8:30 am (1:30 am ET/ 12:30 am CT) on little rest and jet lag. Once we finished our breakfast, we walked ten minutes to the University of Tartu Law School which is located here in Tallinn. (The main college campus is obviously in Tartu, Estonia.)
Our first speaker, Dr. Urmas Varblane is a professor of Economics at "UT," (the real UT for you Tennessee and Texas fans...BOOM, roasted!) and an advisor of economic matters to the Estonian government. Dr. Varblane started by introducing the University of Tartu, which was founded in 1632 by Gustav Adolf II (better known as Gustavus Adolphus in English) the leader of the Swedish Empire. While it was primarily focused on international studies, the University has broadened its curriculum into numerous fields including the Law School in Tallinn. Dr. Varblane highlighted some important facts and figures on Estonia including its famous high growth through the 2000's ended by its enormous hit from last year through today. Estonia was hit hard due to the economic collapse mostly from its high foreign investment. He also illustrated the shock therapy transition from its Soviet communist roots to a market economy while also describing the currency board system of fixed exchange on which Estonia runs. His lecture was a very informational introduction to our week in Estonia. Although many were tired, Dr. Varblane helped keep our eyes open.
We had an hour break for lunch before we headed to Kalev Chocolate Factory, however the poor guy at the cafe was the only person there meaning he took orders, cooked the food, and had to deliver the food to the table. Our hour lunch turned into a 5 minute scarfing of pasta. We hurried to the 13 seater bus to take us to Kalev Chocolate Factory. Kalev is a producer of confectionary items and the market share leader of such goods in Estonia. While the history of its founders and production of confectionary items dates to 1806, the Kalev Chocolate Factory was not privatized until 1993 after the Soviets exited Estonia. It's current powerful position is summarized by its Vision Statement: for Estonia to be known as the home of Kalev. We began our visit with a tour of the factory that directly produces chocolate. The tour gave us an immediate opportunity to examine a production line which in turn enabled us to critique and analyze the process and its workers. Followed by a few bumps in walls/beams, we made it back to the office for a presentation by the Kalev Factory's Chairman of the Board, Kati Kusman. Ms. Kusman helped us directly see, through its financials, the position Kalev holds on the Baltic chocolate and confectionary item industry. Kalev, currently part of Luterma AS and controlled on the market by Rubla AS (75% share in the company), offers many competitive advantages including its historic image, wide product range, "unique, natural taste," competitive product development, and first position leader status in the Baltics. Of course, Kalev has been hit by the economic collapse shown by its cuts in its production portfolio and employee vacation time. However, Ms. Kusman theorized that their investment in top-to-bottom integration will help them in the long run. If its historic past is any indication, Kalev will bounce back from the recession and continue to be a market leader.
After the bus ride back to the city, we gathered at the entrace to "Old Town" Tallinn for a city tour. Tallinn is an absolutely beautiful yet indescribable city. Truly a hidden treasure in Europe and the world for that matter, Tallinn has been shaped by its evolving past and present. Presided over by countless countries and states, each entity that has occupied the area has left its mark on the future 2011 European Capital of Culture. We capped off our city tour with a dinner and skit at the local Peppersack Restaurant consisting of Chicken, Salmon, Potatoes, Pork, Crianza, and Coffee. Of course, my camera died on me so as to eliminate a video post, but thanks to Graham I will try to include a video of the "skit" by tomorrow. For now though, I am posting one of my last pictures taken (Old Town shown by the red roof buildings in front and shadowed by the modern New Tallinn).
Cheers!
(John Harris)
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