Estonia to Celebrate 94th Anniversary
22 February 2012The Republic of Estonia will celebrate it 94th anniversary on Friday, 24 February. The Republic first declared its independence on 24 February 1918. This year the major events celebrating Estonia's Independence Day will take place in the capital Tallinn and the southern Estonian city of Tartu.
Tall Hermann Tower on Toompea Hill, where the flag-raising ceremony will take placeOn Thursday, 23 February, wreaths will be laid on the gravesites of Estonian state figures in the Metsakalmistu cemetery in Tallinn and state decorations will be presented by the President of the Republic in the main auditorium of University of Tartu.
On the morning of Friday, 24 February, a formal flag-raising ceremony will take place at 07.24 at the Old Observatory in Tartu and at 07.35 on Toompea Hill in Tallinn, where a speech will be given by Speaker of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma. Wreaths in honour of those who fell in the War of Independence will be placed at the base of the Kalevipoeg memorial statue in Tartu, a church service will take place at Tartu's St. John's Church, and the Defence Forces parade will be held on Vabaduse street in Tartu. On the same day, a celebratory concert and the formal reception of President of the Republic Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Mrs Evelin Ilves will take place in the evening in the Vanemuine Theatre and Concert Hall in Tartu.
The formal events will be attended by the President of the Republic, the speaker of the Riigikogu, the prime minister, members of the government and Riigikogu, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
Read more about Independence Day.
