Not long before that, it was actually a friend who initially mentioned the nascent sport forming in Estonia. Axtoniais Estonia's first, and so far only, place where you can go for a drink (certainly not more than two) and throw axes (kirveviskamise). Might we call Axtonia a type of kirvesaal (“hall of axes”)? Or a kirve gild (“axe guild”)? I don't know if these terms could ever fit into the Estonian lexicon, but it suits the image of a sport that could take place in a viking mead hall or a logger's cabin in the Canadian wilderness.
Actually, it's more centrally located than that. At Liivalaia 5 in Tallinn, a 12 minute walk from Vabaduse väljak, you'll find a bright, laid-back hangout spot with tables, chairs, and sofas to enjoy some beer and snacks before, during, and after you throw.
I wasn't just joking though, there is actually a two beer limit, as Axtonia takes safety just as seriously as they do having a good time! There are chainlink fence barriers in between lanes. And to answer a common question, it is unlikely that their provided wooden-handled axes would bounce back at you, compared to those with metal handles.
It's straightforward. For 17 Euros (roughly $26.50 CAD) per person, you get your own supervised lane for two hours, to throw at the wooden target at the end of the lane. After six hours, if you put the right amount of force into your throw, that wood will be decimated and likely need changing.
Estonian-Canadian entrepreneur Erik Rudi Jylli and his cousin are the owners of this centre. Erik also steps in at the beginning of sessions to give an instructional overview of the technique, before letting you give it a go. Rave reviews indicate that Axtonia has become a solid fixture in the recreational landscape of Estonia's capital.
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) has even gotten into axe throwing: as part of the ESN card, you can get a 10 percent discount on a session of axe throwing. In terms of promotion, they've kept it simple, tempting international students with “great and safe anger management for all ages!” Hey, formalizing all that learning agreement paperwork is frustrating!
What's more, Axtonia is a place where you can “unleash your inner viking”. On at least a local level, it's interesting to note that this sport is considered a viking activity. A European pastime. Jylli was spot-on when he said this activity fits well with Estonian culture. It's athletic in a rustic way. It's doesn't have too many bells and whistles either. Sharp metal and wood can't be exaggerated or become cumbersome with extra gear. Adding to the viking ambiance is the chance to don a helmet and shield while you're there.
Writing for Tuglas-seura, the Finnish-Estonian friendship society, writer Ville Hytönen refers to the character of Andres from part one of A.H. Tammsaare's Tõde ja õigus, when talking about kirvevise. Axe throwing could be a party activity, but you could do it alone just as well. Like Andres, you can go your own way, with individualistic intensity, seriousness, and focus.
It's almost surprising that it's only more recently that axe throwing has caught on in Estonia. But it stands for an Estonian willingness to embrace the classics. To throw an axe is a simple pleasure.
This article was written by Vincent Teetsov as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.
