Vice-President of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller believes that the hall’s new name reminds us of one of the most significant events in Estonia’s recent history and of the duty to defend freedom.
“It is only right that there is a place in the Riigikogu Building whose name serves as a reminder that freedom is not to be taken for granted,” Aller said. He added that the new name commemorated not only a historical event, but also the determination and courage with which Estonia’s national independence had been restored on 20 August 1991.
Jaak Valge, a Member of the Riigikogu and historian, noted that naming the hall with the date was a tribute to common achievements. Valge emphasised that 20 August marks an extremely significant vote, when the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia passed the Resolution on the National Independence of Estonia. “But in history, something new almost never emerges as a breakthrough on a single date. History is a process. 20 August is also significant in terms of how this outcome was achieved. It symbolises cooperation – the ability to overcome political and ideological differences at a decisive moment,” Jaak Valge said.
Member of the August 20th Club Ignar Fjuk also spoke at the ceremony. He highlighted the role the people who restored independence had had in securing Estonia’s freedom and underlined the need to keep alive the memory of the historic decision taken in August 1991.
The purpose of renaming one of the important rooms in the Riigikogu Building and unveiling of the memorial plaque is to commemorate the significance of the restoration of Estonia’s independence and to remind future generations that freedom, democracy and independence must be defended every day.