NordenBladet —
Ratas said at the ceremony held in the Governor’s Garden at Toompea, Tallinn, that when we hoisted the flag on top of the Tall Hermann Tower in honour of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia one year ago, Russia had just attacked its neighbour Ukraine a few hours before. “Putin had launched a full-scale war of conquest, the like of which had not yet been seen in the 21st century. That day crushed our hopes that big wars have eternally become a thing of the past in Europe,” he said.
Ratas underlined that this was a moment of truth for us all: if Ukraine should fall, the same fate could be in store once again for many European nations. “Ukraine is not fighting only for the survival of its independence, nationality, and culture – Ukraine is fighting for the existence of us all. Today our message is as clear as can be – Estonia, and our allies, will continue to support Ukraine until it has won the war,” Ratas said.
The president of the Riigikogu recalled that on visits to Ukraine, he had repeatedly witnessed first-hand the willingness of the Ukrainians to defend their country, their tenacity, their determination, and their gratitude for what Estonia and the Estonian people had given to Ukraine. “We are also well aware of the importance of having friends and allies. On 24 February 105 years ago, we established our country and secured its independence in the War of Independence thanks to the efforts, sacrifices, and support of the Estonian people and our friends” he said.
Ratas admitted that 24 February had forever changed its meaning for us as well. “But I refuse to yield the most important day in the calendar of the Republic of Estonia to evil. 24 February shall not be a day of terror and fear. It shall be a day of goodness, when despite the acts of destruction and will to conquer, it was the kindness and generosity of people that won. It shall be a day of courage because on 24 February, the overpowering enemy was countered with fearlessness and disregard for personal safety. It shall be a day of unity because it united everyone who valued freedom, humanity, and the right to life and peace. It shall be a day of justice because those who unleashed the evil will be punished,” he said.
Ratas added that this was what our National Day was and would be for us and for the future generations around the world. “With this in our minds, we will stand firm as long as needed. 24 February has symbolised and will symbolise freedom,” the President of the Riigikogu said at the flag raising ceremony.
Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said the words of blessing at the ceremony and Hele Palumaa, student of the Drama School of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, read out the Estonian Declaration of Independence The choirs of the Estonian Male Choir Association, and Tallinn Police Orchestra performed “Eesti lipp” (“Flag of Estonia”, music by Enn Võrk, words by Martin Lipp), “Hoia, Jumal, Eestit” (“God Save Estonia”, music by Juhan Aavik, words by Aleksander Leopold Raudkepp), “Jää vabaks, Eesti meri” (“Stay Free, Estonian Sea!”, by Viktor Konstantin Oxford), and “Kodumaa” (“Homeland”, music by Raimond Kull, words by Mihkel Veske).
Text of the speech by the President of the Riigikogu
Photos of the flag raising ceremony (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu: We will not surrender the most important holiday of Estonia to evil
Source: Parliament of Estonia