A ceremony was held this morning in the Governor’s Garden on Toompea to celebrate the 134th anniversary of the Estonian national flag, where the President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor thanked the Estonian Flag Association, Tallinn Secondary Science School, and General Johan Laidoner Society, and presented each with a national flag.

“It is a particular pleasure to hoist our national flag today – on the centenary year of the Republic of Estonia,” Nestor said. “No one knows whether the members of the Estonian Students’ Society could foresee that they were giving us the colours that would stay with us for centuries, keeping us together, protecting and teaching us. But I’m sure that when they gave our flag for safekeeping to Lääne-Mardi farm in Vaimatsvere, they strongly believed that our Republic will one day be reborn.” 

“The flag is flying and we should be proud of it, just like we are proud of the Republic of Estonia!” Nestor declared.

The President of the Riigikogu thanked the Estonian Flag Association for safeguarding the traditions surrounding the flag, and presented the Association with a flag that has flown on top of the tower.

The Riigikogu and the Estonian Flag Association presented formal hand held flags to Tallinn Secondary Science School and General Johan Laidoner Society in appreciation. Flags are presented to those who have actively taken part in celebrations of milestone events organised by the Estonian Flag Association and have worked to spread awareness on Estonian history and national symbols.

The President of the Estonian Flag Association Jüri Trei also spoke at the event, and Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said words of blessing. Also present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and President Arnold Rüütel.

The flag raising team included representatives of Tallinn Secondary Science School flag raising team Liisa Marie Kerner and Uku Kert Paidra, and representatives of the General Johan Laidoner Society Villu Loonde and Jan Enriko Laidsalu.

The honour guards of the Defence League, Women’s Home Defence, Young Eagles, Home Daughters, Scouts, Guides and academic organisations, as well as the flag hoisting units of societies, associations, and schools stood guard at the ceremony. Music was provided by the orchestra of the Defence Forces and choirs of the Estonian Female Song Society.

On the Flag Day, everyone is welcome to visit the Tall Hermann tower from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. For convenience, the free tickets are stamped with the time when the visitor is expected at the entrance to the tower.

Photos of the flag hoisting ceremony.

Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
Phone: 631 6356, 515 3903
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]