Patrik Maldre describes the crucial days of 1918 when the Estonia-UK alliance was born.* On 24 February 1919, the Republic of Estonia celebrated its first Independence Day with nearly full control of the nation’s historical homeland. And yet, only a short two months before that, the Red Army had been camped 34 kilometres (21 miles) […]
The United Kingdom and Estonia’s achievement of independence Read More »
At 19:00 on 23 August 1989, approximately two million people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined hands, forming a human chain from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius, spanning 600 kilometres, or 430 miles. It was a peaceful protest against illegal Soviet occupation, and also one of the earliest and longest unbroken human chains in history.* Prelude to the
Estonia commemorates the Baltic Chain – the longest unbroken human chain in history Read More »
On 20 August 1991, Estonia declared formal independence during the Soviet military coup attempt in Moscow, reconstituting the pre-1940 state. In the evening of 20 August 1991, Estonian politicians declared the nation’s independence – even as Soviet tanks were rolling through the countryside to quell the independence movement and the Soviet paratroopers were taking charge of the Tallinn TV Tower, preparing to
Estonia celebrates the restoration of independence Read More »
On 11 September 1988, an estimated 300,000 people gathered at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds to listen speeches by the Estonian independence movement activists and sing songs. On 11 September 1988, the Song Festival Grounds hosted arguably the largest mass gathering the Estonian capital had ever seen, when an estimated 300,000 people from across the
30 years since the most important Singing Revolution concert Read More »
As part of the country’s centennial celebrations, the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds will be hosting a singing event on 19 August where cherished Estonian songs will be sung simultaneously in Estonia and all over the world. “Singing together is in our blood. It’s something that we draw spiritual strength and a grounding of the soul
A unique sing-along to celebrate freedom in Tallinn Read More »
Young generation of Estonians cannot conceive of an Estonia that was not free, writes Justin Petrone, an Estonia-based columnist and writer. On a cold winter’s night, not too many weeks ago, I was enjoying a sauna with my eight-year-old daughter Anna when she turned to me and asked me a question. “Daddy, who was president
Justin Petrone: When Estonia wasn’t free Read More »
The Estonian head of state, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, gave his last Independence Day speech as president. In many ways, it was his most profound yet. Estonian World compiled the most significant quotes from the speech. In his last Independence Day speech as the president, Ilves was at his most candid yet. The president did not
President Ilves on Independence Day: 20 remarkable quotes Read More »
James Oates, a Tallinn-based British businessman and the Chairman of the British Estonian Chamber of Commerce, says that even as Russia seeks to destabilise Ukraine’s new government, there is a growing sense that the tide of history is turning against Putinism and that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s road to re-enacting Stalinism will ultimately fail. Down to
James Oates: The Estonian state of mind Read More »
On 24 February 2014, hundreds of Estonians living in London packed Westminster Cathedral’s large event hall to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Estonia. The event consisted of a mixture of Estonian arts on display, but no Estonian event would be complete without vocal performance as the main attraction. Several
Independence away from home: Estonians in London celebrate Read More »
Expat communities celebrated Estonian Independence Day all around the world. We bring you a selection of pictures of the celebrations from London, New York, Chicago, Toronto and Sydney. London (at Westminster Cathedral Hall) New York (at New York Estonian House) Chicago (at Chicago Estonian House) Toronto (at Toronto Estonian House)
Estonian Independence Day in pictures – London, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney Read More »
