Something more than just a lake When you look at it from afar, it may indeed seem that Võrtsjärv is merely a body of water in the middle of Estonian highlands. That it is only a blue spot drawn on the map reminding you of a peculiar balloon. This lake, however, contains much more than millions of cubic meters water. It is also a habitat, a home, a feeder, an employer, a rest area, a research object, a history keeper and a watercraft carrier. Võrtsjärv is a master and a servant, pleasure provider and mischief maker, a rebel and peace giver. Valma village elder Jaan Leetsar who lives near Võrtsjärv, has been very observant in saying that this lake has a thousand faces and colors. “Once it looks red, then it is pitch black again. Sometimes it is multicolored and sometimes even striped. It is ...