Estonia marked the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its independence with a flag-raising ceremony
On August 20, Estonia marked the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its independence with a ceremony to raise the national flag on Toompea in Tallinn. The blue, black, and white flag was raised on the Pikk Hermann tower by Jüri Joost, Peeter Milli, Jaanus Kokk, and Uno Kasvali—the men who defended the Tallinn TV Tower from Soviet paratroopers on August 20, 1991.
According to ERR News, their participation in the ceremony symbolically united the two towers—Pikk Hermann and the Tallinn TV Tower—which the report describes as symbols of Estonia’s history of freedom.
Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu), stated that freedom should not be taken for granted. He recalled Estonia’s historical experience and the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, and emphasized the responsibility to defend the country, its language, and culture, as well as to support those fighting for survival and freedom.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal noted that over the past 35 years, Estonia has become a nation respected around the world, and its success is rooted in the determination and courage of its citizens. According to him, freedom does not preserve itself, and a nation can never be considered fully complete.
Archbishop Urmas Viilma of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church spoke about the need to pass on the value of freedom to future generations. Ants Veetysme, president of the August 20 Club, addressed the youth who have grown up in an independent Estonia, urging them not to allow the Estonian flag to be hidden away again.
At the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden near the Pikk Hermann Tower and the Riigikogu, performances were given by the Avis Animi chamber choir, the Mulgi mixed choir, the HUIK! and Noorus choirs, as well as the Tallinn School XXI Chamber Choir, accompanied by the Tallinn Police Orchestra. Special guests at the event were Icelandic President Halla Thomasdóttir and her husband.
