On Saturday, 22 April, the Parliament of Estonia the Riigikogu celebrates its 98th birthday with the traditional Open House Day. The activities taking place at Toompea Castle are aimed at children and youth. It will be possible to have fun at the play area of the Children’s Republic. The visitors will hear the stories and songs of the Youth Song and Dance Celebration “Here I’ll Stay”, and be told about the festival that will be held this summer and the family signs hidden in the logo of the youth festival.

In the rooms of the factions, visitors can meet the members of the Riigikogu. At Question Time it is possible to pose questions to the members of the Government. Guided tours are held throughout the whole day, and everyone can visit the Tall Hermann Tower.

The Riigikogu Open House Day will begin with a welcome concert by young musicians on the balcony of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor will greet the visitors.

At noon, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Minister of Culture Indrek Saar and Minister of Finance Sven Sester will reply to the questions of the people in the Session Hall.

As a part of “Estonia 100” programme, the elections of the Youth Assembly (Noorte Maapäev) will be proclaimed at the Riigikogu Open House Day. The young people who are elected will come together in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu on 28 November to adopt a joint declaration. On that date 100 years ago, the Provincial Assembly of Estonia proclaimed itself the supreme legal authority in Estonia. Elections of the Youth Assembly and the events that take place all the year around give the 15–18 year olds a possibility to feel themselves as a part of the events that took place 100 years ago, and to tell the story of the birth of independent Estonia with their modern message.

At the discussion “Here I’ll Stay. Will the Song and Dance Celebration Stay?” in the Riigikogu café, Deputy Chairperson of the Cultural Affairs Committee Laine Randjärv and member of the Cultural Affairs Committee Krista Aru, and promoters of folk dance, choir movement and music education Hirvo Surva, Tonio Tamra and Kalev Järvela will hold a debate.

The traditional quiz for the teams of schools and members of the Riigikogu “Estonia and the European Union” will be dedicated to Estonia in anticipation of the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

All day, the Children’s Station of the Estonian Public Broadcasting will be open in the Exhibition Hall. For the first time, it will be possible to visit the play area of the Children’s Republic, which is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. You can also participate in the Year of Children’s and Youth Culture workshop “Me Too” in the Children’s Room, draw a family sign with the singers and dancers of the Youth Song and Dance Celebration in the lobby, or learn folk dances with the Stage Director of the Youth Dance Celebration Margus Toomla.

The Open House Day will end with the Good Mood Concert by the children of Estonian TV Children Music Studio in the White Hall.

The first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn on 23 April 1919. The Riigikogu celebrates that event every year with the Open House Day. This year, the Open House Day is held for the 19th time.

The entrance, and all activities and events are free.

Programme

10.40 Musical greeting from the balcony
10.50 Welcome by President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Guided tours of Toompea Castle, Tall Hermann Tower open for visitors
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Meetings with members of the Riigikogu in factions
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Children’s Republic and Children’s Station in the Exhibition Hall – the first possibility to see the play area of the Children’s Republic
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Year of Children’s and Youth Culture workshop “Me Too” in the Children’s Room
11–12 Discussion “Here I’ll Stay. Will the Song and Dance Celebration Stay Too?” in the café. Debate of members of the Cultural Affairs Committee and representatives of folk dancers, choir movement and music education
11.30 Stage Director of the Youth Dance Celebration Margus Toomla teaches folk dances in the Castle courtyard
12 p.m.–1 p.m. Question Time at the Riigikogu Session Hall Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Minister of Culture Indrek Saar and Minister of Finance Sven Sester will reply to questions
1 p.m.–2 p.m. Quiz “Estonia and the European Union” in the Conference Hall
1 p.m.–2 p.m. Stories and songs of the Youth Song and Dance Celebration “Here I’ll Stay” in the Castle courtyard
2.30 p.m. Proclamation of the elections of the Youth Assembly (Noorte Maapäev) in the Session Hall
3 p.m.–4 p.m. Good Mood Concert in the White Hall. Children’s choir of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Song Studio.

The Parliament Shop is selling souvenirs. You can also buy the tickets to the Youth Song and Dance Celebration “Here I’ll Stay”.

The Riigikogu café and cafeteria are open.

Entrance to the Castle until 3.15 p.m.

Riigikogu Press Service
Marie Kukk
+372 631 6456; +372 58 213 309
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]