Wednesday is flag day in Estonia to mark 34th Restoration of Independence Day

TALLINN - On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Estonia is to mark 34 years since the restoration of its independence, and the national flag will be raised on all residential, commercial, and office buildings.

Flags are hoisted at sunrise or by 8 a.m. at the latest, and lowered at sunset. Wreaths will be placed at the base of the August 20 Memorial Stone, the August 20 Club will gather, and the president will host a reception at Kadriorg. Museums and institutions across Estonia will organize events for the day.

Celebration of the restoration of Estonia's independence will begin at 11 a.m. with a memorial ceremony at the August 20 Memorial Stone at Toompea. Ants Veetõusme, president of the August 20 Club, will deliver a speech. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar will lay flowers at the memorial stone on behalf of the Riigikogu. Prime Minister Kristen Michal will also attend the ceremony.

At noon, the August 20 Club will hold its traditional festive meeting in the White Hall of Toompea Castle. Hussar and Michal will deliver welcoming addresses. Deputy chairman of the board of the August 20 Club Alar Maarend will give a speech.

President Alar Karis is to greet all people of Estonian at 6 p.m. at the Rose Garden in Kadriorg's during the traditional summer reception, accompanied by live music. The event will be broadcast by public broadcaster ERR.

Free tours of the Tall Hermann Tower in Tallinn will take place every full and half hour between 11 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.

Estonian museums and cultural sites host family-friendly events, including workshops, tours, performances, traditional meals, music, dance, and interactive activities across Tallinn, Viimsi, Narva, Tartu, and Viljandi.