Aastaraamatud

Aastaraamatud are Estonian yearbooks or annuals published yearly by schools, universities, government bodies, companies, and cultural institutions to summarize the year's events, developments, and statistics. The word combines aasta (year) and raamat (book); the singular is aastaraamat and the plural is aastaraamatud. They typically present a concise narrative of the year, a retrospective of major achievements and challenges, and a collection of data such as staff, students, graduates, financial figures, and milestones. Many aastaraamatud include photographs, articles by staff or students, and feature sections on culture, science, or community life.

There are different types and contexts. School yearbooks (kooliaastaraamatud) document graduating classes, clubs, and activities; institutional or corporate yearbooks summarize organizational changes, programs, and performance. In contrast, aastaaruanne is the annual report focused on finances and metrics, used for accountability by companies and public bodies.

Historically, aastaraamatud emerged with the broader European practice of annuals and almanacs, gaining popularity in educational and public institutions. With the rise of printing and later digital publishing, many institutions now offer online versions or digital archives, sometimes as open access.

Today, aastaraamatud serve as historical records, alumni resources, and sources for researchers interested in the institutional memory of a year. They vary in depth and style but share the goal of documenting a specific period in a structured, enduring form.