The exhibition celebrating 100 years of independence of the Baltic States and US-Baltic relations will be opened in Tuesday, 18 September at the Riigikogu, Parliament of Estonia.

The exhibition covers three major periods in Baltic history, gives an overview of the development of diplomatic relations between the USA and the Baltic States, and recognises the active role of the Baltic nations in today’s world.

Vice-President of the Riigikogu Kalle Laanet emphasised the importance of the role of the USA in the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. “Firm support of the US throughout the decades has become an unwavering cornerstone of the partnership and fruitful cooperation of our countries,” Laanet said.

The exhibition will be opened by Vice-President of the Riigikogu Kalle Laanet, Chair of the Estonia-USA Parliamentary Group Keit Pentus-Rosimannus and Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy Ambassador Clifford G. Bond.

The exhibition was opened for the first time at the US Diplomacy Center in Washington, DC on 30 May 2018. 

The display was prepared in close cooperation by the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC), its parent organizations and other supporters. The project was led by JBANC Managing Director Karl Altau, Estonian American National Council (EANC) Director Karin Shuey, American Latvian Association (ALA) Museum Director Lilita Bergs, and Lithuanian American Council (LAC) representative on the JBANC board Henry Gaidis. All were instrumental in gathering artefacts and photos, writing texts for the exhibition, and contributing to its design. The Estonian Archives in the US allowed access to their photo archives. The displays were designed by Estonian American graphic designer Kristina Jõgi of Baltimore.

The exhibition in the lobby of the Riigikogu Building will be open until 28 September, and will then travel to Riga.

The exhibition is organised in cooperation by the US Embassy in Estonia and the Chancellery of the Riigikogu.

The exhibition can be visited on working days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors need to present an identity document to gain entry to Toompea Castle.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]