Memorial plaque to Estonia's government-in-exile unveiled in Oslo

On October 2, 2015, a plaque was unveiled on the wall of the hotel in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, where the Estonian government-in-exile started its work in 1953.

"About 50 people were present, including Norway's European affairs minister Vidar Helgesen," Peep Pillak, the chairman of the Estonian Heritage Society, told BNS from Oslo. 

"It was a festive and high-level ceremony."

Estonia was represented at the event by head of the Government Office, Heiki Loot, and Aino Lepik von Wiren, the director general of the Estonian Foreign Ministry's department for European and trans-Atlantic cooperation.

Until 1992, von Wiren was the Estonian Justice Minister in the last lineup of the government-in-exile.

The first government-in-exile was led by August Rei in his capacity as prime minister and acting president, who appointed a five-member Cabinet in Oslo. 

The exile government met in Norway because; refugees in Sweden were banned from engaging in political activity. 

Members of the Estonian exile government could reside in Sweden but not act in their capacity as government members. 

The government-in-exile ended its activity on Oct. 7, 1992 after a legitimately elected parliament and president of Estonia was sworn in.

The unveiling of the memorial plaque was prepared by the Estonian embassy in Norway.

After the ceremony, participants proceeded to the Oslo cemetery to light candles at the grave of Richard Bjereke, the Estonian honorary consul in Norway in the build-up to World War II.