On the open House Day of the Riigikogu, the Parliament of Estonia, more than 5000 people came to Toompea to visit the Riigikogu, to learn about the work of the Parliament, to meet politicians and to see the rooms where they work. Many visitors came from foreign countries, like Ukraine, Germany, France, Ireland, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Iceland, Canada, Armenia, Nigeria, Mexico, China, Japan, South Korea, USA, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.

The Open House Day began with the concert of brass group Tärkamine from Nõmme Music School on the balcony of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar welcomed the visitors in the courtyard of the Castle.

The representative rooms and working rooms of the Riigikogu as well as the offices of parliamentary groups, where the people could meet the newly elected members of the Riigikogu, were open all day. The guided tours of the Riigikogu and visits to the Tall Hermann Tower were very popular among visitors. Members of the Riigikogu Eduard Odinets and Anti Poolamets conducted guided tours.

At the coffee and chat time in the Riigikogu café, new members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller, Mario Kadastik, Ester Karuse, Tiit Maran, Riina Solman and Kadri Tali spoke about their expectations for their role as members of parliament. Longstanding member of the Riigikogu Jürgen Ligi also shared his experience. The discussion was moderated by Urmas Vaino. Grete Lõbu chaired the discussion “How to make exercise part of lifestyle?” in the café of the Riigikogu, where members of the Riigikogu Karmen Joller, Tanel Kiik, Evelin Poolamets, Reili Rand, Riina Solman and Hendrik Johannes Terras exchanged ideas.

Five youth teams and two Riigikogu teams took part in the traditional Open House Day Quiz. The first place was won by the team Riigikogu 1, which consisted of members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Marek Reinaas, and Advisers of the Legal and Research Department Toivo Mängel and Triinu Põdramägi. The close-run competition for the second place was won by the team of the 13th Youth Song and Dance Celebration consisting of Maria Rüster, Monika Alu, Viktoria Pärn and Gerda-Kristina Trei. The quiz was prepared and conducted by acknowledged quiz players Indrek Salis, Aare Olander and Timo Tarve.

To mark the Be Active Year, practical workshops of the Schools in Motion and the Estonian Paralympic Committee had been set up, as well as the activity grounds of the Estonian Health Museum and the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum. Tallinn Central Library with its activity games and Katarina Jee Mobile Library also participated in the Open House Day at Toompea.

Young folk musicians from hobby studio Õhin performed greetings from the 13th Youth Song and Dance Celebration, and everybody danced together in anticipation of the Song and Dance Celebration which will be held this July. A concert introducing the Youth Song and Dance Celebration “Holy Is the Land” was held in the White Hall. Workshops of the Home Daughters and the Young Eagles had been set up in the courtyard. The Women’s Home Defence sold the flower pins of the Blue Hepatica Campaign “Let Us Salute!” to support the Estonian war veterans who have participated in international missions.

With the Open House Day, the Riigikogu celebrated its 104th anniversary.

The first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn on 23 April 1919. Since 1999, the Riigikogu has been celebrating the anniversary of that event with an Open House Day, which this year took place for the 23rd time.

Photos of the Riigikogu Open House Day will be uploaded with a delay (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: [email protected]
Questions: [email protected]