TALLINN — In an unprecedented move, the Estonian government is considering a national day off dedicated to honoring citizens’ inner peace. The proposed holiday is meant to allow all citizens to spend time relaxing, meditating, and, according to one senator, ‘pretending to care about what their neighbor does.’
Senator Mart Vaher explained, “We feel it’s vital for our people to practice inner peace after decades of stoic sauna sessions and consuming excessive amounts of leib. Why not promote a day where no one has to show up to work, or even come out of their homes?”
“If we’re honest, most of us are already on a permanent holiday from work. This is just a formal recognition of that fact.”
However, the proposal has its critics. Many senators believe the holiday would turn into an unscheduled protest of people choosing either not to leave their houses or to only emerge for coffee.
Political analyst Kadri Jürgensen noted, “Estonian winter is basically a holiday where we avoid human interaction at all costs. I don’t see how this new holiday would improve that.”
Citizens were lukewarm about the idea. One local, Peeter, remarked, “Every day is a holiday when you work from home. I’m more concerned about how to ensure my sauna is stocked with enough vihta during stressful periods.”
As the debate continues, the idea of ‘inner peace’ looms large. At press time, the government was rumored to be considering adding a complimentary day dedicated to black bread appreciation.