Independence Day celebrated

TALLINN - Estonia celebrated the 92nd anniversary of its independence on Feb. 24. While last year the Estonian Independence Day parade was held in Narva, this year the focus of the celebrations was again in Tallinn, reported Eesti Paevaleht.
As The Baltic Times was going to print, citizens, state leaders and foreign representatives were gathering as Speaker of Riigikogu, Ene Ergma, was preparing, as is tradition, to hold a speech during the ceremonial hoisting of the flag, at daybreak, in the Pikk Hermann tower in Toompea. At 9 a.m., the state leaders will place wreaths on the footing of the Victory Monument in Vabaduse Square and then will move to a service at the Toomkirik church.

The biggest ever parade of the Defense Forces will involve 1,200 participants and will take place on the fully renovated Vabaduse Square, starting at 11 a.m. The parade will be headed by Commander-in-Chief of Estonia’s Defense Forces, Ants Laaneots, and will be received by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Weather permitting, French Mirage-2000 jets will fly over the square. After the parade, everyone will be invited to inspect the weapons and other equipment.
Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip will hand out the state’s annual science and culture awards at noon. At 6 p.m. the traditional festive concert of Independence Day starts at the Vanemuine theater and concert house in Tartu. It will be followed by the reception of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Mrs. Evelin Ilves.

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter of congratulations on Feb. 23 to Ilves for the country’s anniversary. “On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my warmest wishes to you and the people of Estonia on the occasion of Estonia’s National Day on February 24,” wrote Obama.

“We are deeply grateful for your nation’s contributions to our transatlantic partnership and to international security. We admire the extraordinary progress Estonia has made since regaining its freedom, as well as the strength of its commitment to the ideals of democracy and human rights. We are proud to count you as an ally as we face the challenges of today and tomorrow together. I look forward to continuing to strengthen the close cooperation between our two countries,” wrote the U.S. president.
All over Estonia, festive meetings, concerts and exhibition openings will take place. The most central events take place in Parnu, where 92 years ago the Declaration of Independence was read first. There will be a memorial ceremony by the Konstantin Pats monument in Tahkuranna. Traditionally, there will be a meeting at the Ruutli Square where the Declaration will be read, as it was in 1918.

In Tallinn, several schools mark the anniversary with a traditional joint meeting by the monument dedicated to pupils and teachers of Tallinn who died in the War of Freedom. Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar participates at the meeting by the monument.