Vana Tooma (Vana Toomas)
Old Thomas. Named after the character on the weather-vane atop the Raekoda (City Hall) spire. Toomas has stood there since 1530 at least. Damaged by the March 1944 bombing, a replacement was made in 1952 (or was it 1954?), and a new copy (the present one) in 1996. Legend has it (and by now you probably know I hate that word) that the character modelled was a city guard who <insert heart-warming story here> watches over his city to this day. Soviet occupation renaming (1963-1987) of Dunkri, although what political message they were sending out is not sure. Vana Toomas remains a popular symbol of Tallinn. For some, its spirit.
Vaprate (Vaprad [pl.])
Brave/Gallant/Valiant lads/men, etc. After the 3 Communists and one farmer upon whose land a shoot-out with the police occurred on the night of 1924-12-4/5, shortly after the failed coup d’état (see Vakmanni R.). Street and memory subsumed under present-day Vabaõhukooli.
Velikije Luki (Velikije Luki)
Великие Луки, City in Pskov Oblast, Russia (about 150 km SE of Estonia), where the Red Army wiped out a German force of some 7000 in the Battle of Velikiye Luki (1942-3). Also burial place of Matrossovi A.. Literally meaning ‘Great Meanders’ after the meandering Lovat River, but symbolised as longbows on the city’s coat of arms, Estonians ‘interpret’ it, inaccurately but humorously, as ‘Big Onions’ (onion is Лук). Soviet occupation renaming (1979-1995) of Virbi.
Liivakalmistu (Liivakalmistu)
Former (1966) streetname of Kalmistu, named after the Liiva Kalmistu.