This morning’s flag raising ceremony symbolically united the two towers that represent the story of Estonia’s freedom. The men who defended Estonia’s freedom of communication and information in the TV Tower in August 1991 today raised the national flag on the Tall Hermann Tower, from where it flies as the symbol of the independent state of Estonia. Everybody who spoke at the early morning ceremony shared a common message: freedom is born of people’s courage, solidarity and willingness to take responsibility for Estonia’s future.
President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar said that 35 years ago, thousands of people had gathered across Estonia to defend our budding freedom, and that the same responsibility must be taken today. He emphasised that preserving freedom requires faith in your country, language and culture. “Freedom is not to be taken for granted,” Hussar said, referring both to Estonia’s historical experience and to the battles taking place in Ukraine today.
“The Estonian spirit is not just an emotion or a passive feeling of “being Estonian”. It becomes visible when someone consciously takes responsibility for what belongs to them. Today, this means responsibility to safeguard our freedom and country, language and culture; support those who fight for their survival and freedom, and make sure that the flag in this tower would never again be submitted to a foreign rule,” Hussar said.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said in his speech that in three and a half decades, Estonia had grown into a country that was regarded with respect around the world. According to him, Estonia’s success is rooted in its people’s determination, hard work and courage to take decisions that look beyond tomorrow. He also emphasised that freedom had to be safeguarded in the future as well. “Freedom does not stay on its own. A country can never be fully completed,” Michal said.
Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said the words of blessing. Speaking at the flag-raising ceremony, he noted that the Day of Restoration of Independence reminded us how important it was to pass on the value of freedom to future generations. According to Viilma, what one generation sees as a miracle, must not be taken for granted by the next ones.
President of the August 20th Club Ants Veetõusme recalled that during the years of the Singing Revolution, the blue, black and white flag had been a symbol of courage and freedom. He called on the younger generation to carry on responsibility, and to treasure Estonia and its values. “We are handing all this over to the young people who have grown up in independent Estonia. You are now in charge of keeping Estonia from ever having to hide this flag again.”
The flag guards of academic associations, patriotic organisations and schools attended the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden. Chamber choir Avis Animi, Mulgi Mixed Choir, mixed choirs HUIK! and Noorus and the chamber choir of Tallinn School No. 21 sang at the ceremony. They were accompanied by Tallinn Police Orchestra. The choirs and the orchestra were conducted by Riivo Jõgi, Leiu Ryland-Jones, Ode Pürg, Roland Viilukas and Kristjan Õmblus.
Speech by Lauri Hussar in English
Speech by Kristen Michal in English
Blessing by Archbishop Viilma in English
Speech by Ants Veetõusme in English
Photos of the flag raising ceremony (the photo gallery will be updated throughout the day; photographer: Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)