Deprived for centuries of freedom and cultural opportunities, repeatedly decimated by war, famine, and pestilence, Estonians have preserved their language and traditions even during the gloomiest periods of their national history.

After the youth waited for some time, maidens of unearthly beauty appeared and approached the golden benches hanging from the trees.

Presently occupied by the Soviet Union, Estonia is the northernmost Baltic country, bounded on the west by the Baltic Sea, on the north by the Gulf of Finland, on the east by the Soviet Union and Lake Peipsi, and on the south by Latvia.

Because of its geography, the country has been invaded throughout its history. Danes, Swedes, Poles, Germans, and Russians have all had designs on Estonia's access to the Gulf of Finland.

The thirteenth century marked the beginning of Estonia's struggle against its conquerors. Under the pretext of Christianization, Swedes, Danes, the German Order of the Knights of the Sword (later the Teutonic Order of Knights), and Russians fought for the land. After three decades of struggle, Estonia was conquered in 1227 and divided up by the Teutonic Order, bishops, and Danes.