However, in April 1993 he agreed to grant the Estonian Orthodox Church autonomy." (Religion, 2012) .
Estonian culture builds upon the ascetic environmental realities and traditional livelihoods. Ideals of closeness to nature and self-sufficiency are prevalent in Estonian culture. Traditional Estonian cuisine includes porridge, soups, stews, casseroles, black pudding, sauerkraut, dark rye bread, preserves and pickles. Main meals consist of meat (chicken, pork, lamb, veal or beef) or fish (eel, cod, herring, plaice and salmon) with vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, beans, beets, carrots, peas and mushrooms. Dairy products, cheese, eggs, milk, cream and yoghurt, are part of the Estonian diet. Favorite desserts are cakes, pastries, ice cream and fruit: apples, cherries, pears, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries. Honey is used as a sweetener. Beer and kvass are the traditional drinks and tea and coffee are popular. (Estonia Information, 2012) .
Housing demand for properties in Tallinn reached an all time high in 2006, with foreigners attracted by the city's potential. Tallinn accounted for more than half of all real estate transactions in Estonia. House prices in Estonia rose by double-digit levels from 2000 to 2007. "In Tallinn, the average price of 2 room flats rose by an average of 27% annually from 2001 to 2005. House price growth accelerated in 2006, with prices rising by more than 50% y-o-y. The average price of 2-room flats in Tallinn rose by 448.7% from 2000 to 2007, in Tartu prices rose 431.5% and in Parnu 440%. Prices of three-room flats were equally impressive, rising 412% in Tallinn, 481% in Tartu, and 471.5% in Parnu. Meanwhile owner-occupancy rates rose strongly, up from 85% in 2002, to 96% in 2004. The rental market shrank from 12% of households (with 9% privately renting and 3% in social rents) in 2002, to just 4% in 2004. The house price falls in Estonia in 2008 were among the biggest in the world, rivaled only by Latvia.