ERR Proposes New Word for New Type of Town
ERR's Estonian news portal has held a contest to choose a new word describing a town that has administratively merged with its surrounding municipality.
From among the 45 entries, ERR chose "kund" as the Estonian name for such blended municipalities, uudised.err.ee reported.
Towns like Saue and Viljandi have expressed worry that their status as “cities” might be downgraded, making them just a part of the surrounding rural municipality. "Kund" might allow them to save face.
The original idea for the competition came from the Ministry of the Interior's project leader for the local government reforms, Sulev Valner, who said both Finland and Latvia have already chosen a word describing such towns.
The word will be submitted to the ministry and to the president for consideration.
Valner said the ministry has not yet discussed the topic and was unsure if it would result in an actual change.
“But now no one can say the topic hasn't been up for discussion and the issue can't be silenced,” he said.
The other two word finalists were "kärgla" and "hald."