Today Estonia celebrates the National Flag Day. President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Eiki Nestor said at the flag hoisting ceremony in the morning at Toompea that by today, the blue-black-white flag had kept us for more than a century, and had been with us both in joys and in sorrows.

The President of the Riigikogu said that the blue, black and white flag that had been born in the heart of the Estonian Students’ Society was dear to the Estonians, and they kept it as their symbol. “If we keep our symbol, then the blue-black-white flag will keep us, too,” Nestor emphasised.

Nestor said that today the blue-black-white flag was flying together with the flags of our allies. He added that the flag had been with us in happy times, and had supported us in difficult moments.

The President of the Riigikogu said that today the blue, black and white flag of Estonia was supporting the United Kingdom and commemorated those innocent people who lost their lives Saturday night. “Blue-black-white keeps us united,” Nestor said.

When the national anthem of Estonia was being played, the representatives of the Estonian School in Stockholm, Jakob Westholm Gymnasium and Tallinn Co-education Gymnasium hoisted the flag at the top of the Tall Hermann Tower. The Riigikogu and the Estonian Flag Association presented the flags of Estonia to these schools. Such flags are given to schools that have actively participated in the events organised by the Estonian Flag Association and introduced the history and national symbols of Estonia.

Chairman of the Estonian Flag Association Jüri Trei and Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma also spoke at the flag hoisting ceremony. The ceremony was attended by President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid and President Arnold Rüütel.

The flag hoisting ceremony in the Governor’s Garden was attended by 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. The orchestra of the Defence Forces played and the choirs of the Estonian Female Song Society sang at the ceremony. The choirs performed “Hoia, Jumal, Eestit” (”God Protect Estonia”, music by Juhan Aavik, words by Aleksander Leopold Raudkepp) and “Eesti lipp” (“Flag of Estonia”, music by Enn Võrk, words by Martin Lipp).

The Tall Hermann Tower is open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Today we celebrate the 133rd anniversary of the national flag of Estonia. The National Flag Day is celebrated on the anniversary of consecrating of the blue-black-white flag of the Estonian Students’ Society. The first blue-black-white flag was made in spring 1884, and was blessed and consecrated at Otepää parsonage on 4 June.

Photos of the ceremony (may be uploaded with a delay).

Riigikogu Press Service
Marie Kukk
+372 631 6456; +372 58 213 309
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