Estonia: The 100-year-old Riigikogu invites everyone to its Open House Day

NordenBladet — On Saturday, the Parliament of Estonia the Riigikogu celebrates its 100th anniversary with the traditional Open House Day, which is dedicated to the year of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration and the Estonian Language Year.

The Riigikogu Open House Day will begin with a welcome concert by mixed choir HUIK! on the balcony of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas will greet the visitors in the courtyard of the Castle.

It is possible to meet the members of the Riigikogu in the offices of the factions, and pose questions to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Minister of the Interior Mart Helme and Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu at Question Time, which begins at noon.

Kaido Höövelson, Katri Raik, Kai Rimmel, Andres Sutt and Raivo Tamm, who have been elected to the Riigikogu for the first time, will exchange ideas at a discussion in the café. They will be interviewed by Member of the Parliament Enn Eesmaa.

Guided tours take place throughout the whole day, and everyone can visit the Tall Hermann Tower.

This year, the topic of the traditional quiz for the teams of schools and the Riigikogu is “The Riigikogu 100”.

To celebrate the Estonian Language Year, actors of NUKU Theatre Anti Kobin and Taavi Tõnisson will read stories from the treasury of the Estonian children’s literature in the Children’s Room. The National Library of Estonia and Tallinn Central Library will open a pop-up library. There will be reading nests and different workshops for children, including the workshop Priuse piddo (Festival of Freedom) of the Estonian Theatre and Music Museum. The year of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration can be celebrated by dancing with the dancers of the Folklore Society Leigarid. The Open House Day will end with a Good Mood Concert by the little stars from Star Stage, led by singer Sissi.

The first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia, the Constituent Assembly, convened in Estonia Theatre in Tallinn on 23 April 1919. The Riigikogu commemorates it every year with the Open House Day, which takes place for the 21st time this year. In 2019, the Open House day is held on 25 May, because on that day 100 years ago, the Constituent Assembly moved from Estonia Theatre to Toompea.

The entrance, and all activities and events are free.

Source: Parliament of Estonia