Estonian Ivanovo — Kihnu Island, where only women live

There is a place in Estonia where men are a very rare phenomenon. The island of Kihnu, located in the Baltic Sea 11 kilometers from the west coast of the country, is run by women. This island with a population of 400 people is one of the last strongholds of the matriarchy in the world.

It's not that Kihnu women have something against men. They simply have no choice but to take the reins of government into their own hands. The male population of the island leaves their father's house for many months to engage in fishing. For centuries, women have remained in charge on the island.

The women of the island are doing their best to preserve the traditions and heritage of Kihnu.

It is difficult to preserve the legacy when young people leave to get an education and find a job, and often do not return. In summer, the island is popular with tourists, but there is nothing to attract young people so that they do not leave the island.

Fortunately, officials are not sitting idly by, and the Kihnu culture, namely wedding traditions, have been included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. But for all its uniqueness, Kihnu has problems, and life there is not at all for the faint of heart. According to Myatas, there is a completely different way of life there than on the mainland, it is much more difficult. Nevertheless, the locals had no other way, and they believe that they live in the best place on earth.