You're Not In The USSR Any More: Estonia Opens An Embassy In Second Life

estonia.jpgEastern European nation Estonia has opened an official embassy in Second Life.

Estonia for those not aware of the country is a former Soviet Republic that this year is celebrating 90th anniversary of its initial independence, before it was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940. It’s bordered by Russia to its East and Latvia to the South, and became a member of the European Union in 2004, the same year it became an American ally by joining NATO.

Estonia established an embassy in Second Life on the basis that Second Life was as progressive as its own society. The goals of the embassy are to promote Estonia among small groups of professional individuals by hosting discussions and lectures with people who not be able to travel to Estonia, and perhaps more interestingly, to act as a conduit for information to countries where Estonia has no representation (literally a virtual embassy).

The embassy itself is an interesting build that’s hard to describe in words. The post-modernist architecture hosts a variety of levels that includes art work and meeting spaces. During my time at the embassy I was impressed to note that it was manned by a “Estonia Republic” representative. I didn’t ask for a visa or particular information about Estonia, but I’m sure that I could have.

The embassy can be visited here (SLURL).

In related news, those keen on the environment can participate in a virtual Bali conference, the current major conference being held to discuss the post Kyoto environmental treaty. The space is hosted by the Nature Publishing Group and includes speakers such as Tara LaForce of Imperial College in London, Simon Buckle of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and George Monbiot, British enviro-nazi and enemy of Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame. Those interested can TP directly to the NPG island here (SLURL)

The news zone, where a traditional Estonian “Eesti hagija” dog welcomes you to the Embassy
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The architecture is hard to place
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Estonian Artwork
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