Estonian Flags to be Flown for the 108th Anniversary of the Republic

TALLINN – On Tuesday, the 108th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, national flags will be hoisted on all residential, commercial, and office buildings.

The flags will be hoisted at sunrise and lowered at sunset. The anniversary will be celebrated both at home and with numerous public events across Estonia.

In Tallinn, the day begins with a ceremonial flag-hoisting. At 7:32 a.m., the Estonian flag will be raised on the Pikk Hermann tower. The Speaker of the Riigikogu (Parliament), Lauri Hussar, will deliver a speech at the ceremony. Archbishop Urmas Viilma of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (EELK) will say a blessing. The Manifesto of Independence will be read by Alex Paul Pukk, a student of the 32nd class of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre's (EMTA) drama school and a recipient of the Voldemar Panso award. The ceremony can be watched live via Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR).

At 9 a.m., wreaths will be laid at the foot of the War of Independence Victory Column. This can also be watched live via Estonian Public Broadcasting.

At 12 p.m., the Republic's anniversary parade will begin at Freedom Square. The parade will be received by President Alar Karis and commanded by the Commander of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo. A total of 43 flags, 6 companies, 13 platoons, 2 orchestras, and 4 service dogs will participate in the parade. Before and after the parade march, visitors will have the opportunity to see military equipment from the Estonian Defence Forces and its allies. The parade can be watched live via Estonian Public Broadcasting.

At 6 p.m., a festive Independence Day concert and the reception of the President and Sirje Karis will begin at the Estonia Theatre and Concert Hall. The Republic's anniversary concert is directed by Priit Võigemast with musical direction by Siim Aimla. The event can be watched live via Estonian Public Broadcasting.

The Estonian History Museum at Maarjamäe will hold its traditional family day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Estonian Open Air Museum will celebrate the Republic's anniversary as part of the Baltica folklore festival.

In Tartu, the day starts at 7:20 a.m. with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Rahinge village community center. At 8:15 a.m., wreaths will be laid at the memorials for those who fell in the War of Independence at Pauluse and Raadi cemeteries, and at 9:15 a.m., a ceremonial formation will be held at the Kalevipoeg monument to the War of Independence. Representatives of the City of Tartu, the Tartu district of the Defence League, the Women's Home Defence, the Home Daughters, the Young Eagles, the 2nd Infantry Brigade, the Estonian Military Academy, the Police and Border Guard Board, the Rescue Board, the Prison Service, and academic organizations will participate.

At 10 a.m., a ceremony honoring the Estonian flag will take place at the Tartu Old Observatory. Speeches will be delivered by Tartu Mayor Urmas Klaas, Chairman of the Association of Local Authorities of Tartumaa Jarno Laur, Dean of the Tartu Deanery Kristjan Luhamets, and Vice-Chairman of the Estonian Students' Society Ervin Otto Prank. Performances will be given by the Tartu Academic Male Choir, the male choir Gaudeamus of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the Tartu male choir Akadeemiline Emajõgi, the Haaslava Male Choir, and the Estonian Forest Workers' Male Choir Forestalia, with music by the Tartu Wind Orchestra. After the ceremony, the Tartu Old Observatory will be open to visitors until 1 p.m.

At 11 a.m., a ceremonial formation of the Defence League's Tartu district will begin at Town Hall Square. An exhibition of Defence League equipment and weapons will be open to the public, who can also learn about the equipment and work of the Police and Border Guard Board, the Rescue Board, and the Prison Service.

At 12 p.m., the folklore club Maatasa invites everyone to a folk skating party at the Town Hall Square ice rink. Estonian hits will be played at the ice rink throughout the day.

At 2 p.m., the concert "Sounds of Estonia" will begin at the Estonian National Museum. The concert will feature a symbiosis of different art forms, created by opera singer Reigo Tamm from the Estonian National Opera, ballerina Ketlin Oja, and pianist Jaan Ots. The Tartu Academic Male Choir, conducted by Roland Viilukas, will also perform. The museum will be open as usual from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the permanent exhibition "Encounters" will be free in celebration of the holiday.

In Haapsalu, a thanksgiving service dedicated to the 108th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia will begin at 11 a.m. in the Haapsalu Cathedral. The women's choir Kaasike, conducted by Sirje Kaasik, will perform, and the service will be led by Pastor Mart Salumäe and organist Lea Salumäe. A speech will be given by Ron Rääli, winner of the Läänemaa Co-educational Gymnasium's speech competition and recipient of the Heino Noor scholarship.

At 12 p.m., a ceremonial formation of the Defence League's Lääne district will take place at the Haapsalu War of Independence memorial. Speeches will be given by Lääne district commander Jaanus Tuulik, Haapsalu Deputy Mayor Anneli Haabu, Lääne district chaplain Meelis Malk, and Emma Calero, a 6th-grade student and winner of the Haapsalu Basic School's speech competition.

In Jõgeva, the flag will be ceremoniously hoisted at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Jõgeva Cultural Centre, followed by morning coffee and a film screening. Flags will also be raised at 7:20 a.m. at the Sadala flag square by the fire altar, at 7:25 a.m. in front of Kuremaa Castle, and at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Torma service center. At noon, a concert by amateur performers will be held at the Palamuse community hall.

In Kuressaare, a gathering will be held at 10 a.m. at the foot of the memorial to those who fell in the War of Independence. Wreaths will be laid, and speeches will be given by Bishop Anti Toplaan of the EELK's Saare-Lääne diocese, Chairman of the Saaremaa municipal council Kristjan Moora, commander of the Defence League's Saaremaa district Captain Lieutenant Kristjan Kaubi, and Uku Mägi, laureate of the Saare County speech competition. Music will be provided by the city orchestra, the Saaremaa Male Choir, and Kratid.

In Kärdla, a ceremonial flag-hoisting will take place at sunrise, 7:30 a.m., in Kärdla's central square. At 9 a.m., the Defence League will march from its headquarters to Kärdla Church, followed by a formation at 10 a.m. At noon, a flag hike will start from Kõrgessaare to the Reigi rectory, and the anniversary of the Republic will be celebrated at the Kassari community hall. At 2:15 p.m., the Hiiumaa boys' and girls' choirs will perform in the chamber hall of the Kõrgessaare Leisure Centre.

In Narva, the Estonian flag will be ceremoniously hoisted at sunrise, 7:18 a.m., in the Northern Yard of Narva Castle. At 8:30 a.m., wreaths will be laid at the foot of the memorial to those who fell in the War of Independence at the Garrison Cemetery. Sports enthusiasts can participate in Narva's traditional ski race at the Äkkeküla sports center. The Narva Museum will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In Otepää, a prayer service for the 108th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, followed by a moment of remembrance at the Otepää War of Independence memorial at 10:30 a.m. At noon, the traditional hiking day will take place at Lake Pühajärv.

In Paide, the Estonian flag will be hoisted at 7:30 a.m. in the central square, and the Manifesto of Independence will be read, after which a hot air balloon in national colors will ascend. At 7:50 a.m., a thanksgiving and memorial prayer service will be held at the Holy Cross Church. A morning hike will begin at 8 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., the "Penguins' Parade" for winter swimmers will take place at Paide's artificial lake. The day will culminate with a concert ceremony at the Music and Theatre House at 4 p.m., titled "US - that means TOGETHER".

In Põlva, the morning begins at 7:30 a.m. with a hike dedicated to the anniversary of the Republic, titled "Good morning, Põlva!". At 10:15 a.m., the Defence League's Põlva company will begin its walk from the EDU Centre. At 10:30 a.m., a moment of remembrance and wreath-laying will take place at the foot of the Põlva Liberty Monument. At 12 p.m., a concert by Jarek Kasar and Jaan Pehk will begin at the Põlva Cultural Centre.

In Pärnu, the day begins at 7:31 a.m. with a ceremonial flag-hoisting on Independence Square at the monument to the proclamation of the Republic of Estonia. The Mihkel Lüdig Male Choir and the Pärnu School of Arts Boys' Choir will perform. This will be followed by a guided tour, "Pärnu – the Birthplace of the Republic of Estonia". Ceremonial flag-hoisting ceremonies will also take place at 7:32 a.m. in Tõstamaa's central square and at 9 a.m. at the Paikuse flag square.

At noon, Kristiina Vungi will give a celebratory lecture at the Pärnu Museum titled "The Birth of the Nation-State. From Enlightenment to Freedom," and at 2 p.m., a guided tour will be held at the Koidula Museum.

In Rakvere, the celebration of the Republic's anniversary begins at 7:30 a.m. with a flag-hoisting ceremony at Rakvere Castle. At 10 a.m., a solemn wreath-laying ceremony will be held at Ausambamägi (Monument Hill). At 11 a.m., a church service will begin at Rakvere's Holy Trinity Church, featuring a performance by the Rakvere Male Choir.

In Rapla, the morning begins at 7:30 a.m. with a ceremonial flag-hoisting in Rapla's central square. The cinema will screen the film "Säärane mulk" and the animation "Väike kits, suur mäng". At 10 a.m., winter swimmers invite everyone for a communal dip at Vesiroosi. At noon, a church service dedicated to the country's anniversary will begin, followed by a wreath-laying at the foot of the War of Independence memorial. The Young Eagles and Home Daughters will take their oath.

At 7:30 a.m., the Estonian flag will be ceremoniously hoisted in front of the Juuru community hall and at 9 a.m. at the Kaiu flag square.

In Valga, a memorial ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Valga War of Independence monument. A joint municipal wreath will be laid, and speeches will be given by Mati Kikkas, Chairman of the Valga municipal council, and Major Meelis Kivi, head of the Valga Military Museum. A prayer will be led by Pastor Margus Suvi of the EELK Valga St. Peter's and St. Luke's congregation.

At 9 a.m., a memorial ceremony will be held at the Lüllemäe War of Independence monument.

In Viljandi, at 9:30 a.m., memorial wreaths will be laid and candles lit at the cemetery for those who fought in the War of Independence, and at the Forest Brothers memorial, the Anton Irv memorial, and the memorial to the repressed. At 10 a.m., the Manifesto of Independence will be read in front of the Viljandi Courthouse, followed by a joint procession to Freedom Square and the laying of wreaths at the foot of the Viljandimaa Liberty Monument.

At 2 p.m., the concert-performance "Feeling" and the ceremonial presentation of the city's annual awards will begin at the Sakala Centre. The broadcast of the concert can be watched on the websites viljandi.ee and sakala.postimees.ee.