NordenBladet —
In a speech delivered in the Governor’s Garden at Toompea in Tallinn, Hussar emphasised that we were a nation that believed in education and wisdom, and the results of this were reflected in more than just the high scores in the PISA tests. He pointed out that Estonia stood high and strong in all the ranking charts measuring freedom, legal certainty and development. “And even though there are times when we feel discontented, and sharp arrows of criticism can be heard about our lives and developments, I am sure that deep down we all agree–Estonia, you are the best place in the world to live! And not just because of our mother tongue, our spiritual liberality, our green environment and the goodness of heart of our people, but also because of our ability to create our own future,” he said.
According to Hussar, Estonia is ready for the next leap forward, and we are in a good starting position for that in education, in energy, as well as in economy and in shaping our living environment. “Our will and our love for our country will guide us on this way,” he said.
In his speech, Hussar also spoke of the contribution of the people of Estonia in supporting Ukraine that today entered its fourth year of war, and pointed out that on a per capita basis, our military and economic assistance was the largest in the world. “We do this because we care about the free world, and because we are aware of and know Russia’s imperialist and criminal nature. We know the orcish and murderous nature of Russia’s leader Putin. We do not wish any person or democratic people to suffer a fate in the Gulag,” he said. “We are also aware of the blind love of imperialism of Moscow’s religious leaders, who describe war crimes as an entrance ticket to paradise, and we never have confusion about concepts like aggressor, dictator or war criminal.“
Hussar underlined that we also knew that it was possible to conclude peace with Russia on our terms. “The Tartu Peace Treaty, concluded under the leadership of Estonian politician Jaan Poska, was made possible by Estonia’s military superiority, the support of our allies, and effective economic sanctions. Only such a formula can be a roadmap to lasting peace for Ukraine,” the President of the Riigikogu said, adding that all the countries and peoples of the free world must pull themselves together and continue their committed support for Ukraine, because otherwise freedom would be lost.
Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said a blessing at the flag raising ceremony, and Erling Eding, student of the Drama School of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, read out the Estonian Declaration of Independence. The united male choir of the Estonian Male Choir Association, the boys choir and the preparatory choir of the Estonian National Opera, 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).
Speech by the President of the Riigikogu
Photos (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: Hussar at the flag raising ceremony: Estonia is ready for the next leap forward
Source: Parliament of Estonia