NordenBladet —
“Our Parliament, the Riigikogu, is currently debating possible amendments to the list of days of national importance and flag days, but we already know that everyone has the opportunity and the right to decorate their home with the national flag every day if they so wish. Many citizens make use of that possibility. And they do so without any national campaign carried out by the Government. They do this simply because their heart tells them to do this. However, there are many places where homeowners and public authorities do not reach, and this is particularly true for our public spaces: town squares, avenues, and highways,” the President of the Riigikogu said.
Hussar pointed out that soon we would celebrate the Song and Dance Festival, where, in addition to our national costumes and cornflowers, our flags could also be prominently displayed. “I know that Estonian people do not accept state-run patriotism and strained campaigns. This is why today I do not want to put pressure on the Government or the Riigikogu to promote our flag culture at state level in any way. On the contrary, my speech today is meant for all of us, to ourselves. So that we could think about it in our spare moments and perhaps come up with some beautiful results. Happy Flag Day, and may there be blue-black-whiteness in your hearts,” Lauri Hussar wished.
Bishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Ove Sander said a blessing at the flag raising ceremony. Chairman of the Estonian Flag Association Jüri Trei delivered a speech.
Jan Eduard Piigli and Loore Aruste from Kadriorg German Gymnasium and Adrian Georg Zurbuchen and Reiu Pärnamäe from Tallinn French School assisted at the raising of the flag. The Riigikogu and the Estonian Flag Association gave ceremonial flags to both schools.
The flag guards of the Guard Battalion, the Estonian Defence League, Women’s Home Defence, Young Eagles, Home Daughters, Scouts, Guides, as well as schools and academic and patriotic organisations attended the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden today morning. The Military Orchestra played and the choirs of the Estonian Female Song Society, the Women’s Home Defence and schools sang at the ceremony.
The National Flag Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the consecration of the blue-black-white flag of the Estonian Students’ Society. The first blue, black and white flag was sewn in spring 1884. It was blessed and consecrated at Otepää parsonage in South Estonia on 4 June 1884. This year we celebrate the 141st anniversary of the consecration of the national flag of Estonia.
Photos of the flag raising ceremony (Merje Meisalu / Chancellery of the Riigikogu; the gallery will be updated)
Speech by President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar on the 141st anniversary of the Estonian flag
Blessing of Bishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Ove Sander on the 141st anniversary of the Estonian flag
Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar on Flag Day: Blue, black and white flag should be more visible in public space
Source: Parliament of Estonia