ESTONIA

BIG GALLERY! Republic of Estonia 100. Flag hoisting ceremony on February 24, 2018

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – The first festive event of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia was hoisting the flag on the Pikk Hermann tower on Tallinn’s Toompea Hill at sunrise. Every day, the Estonian flag is hoisted at sunrise, and taken down at sunset. On Independence Day this is a special event that attracts plenty of people every year. Representatives of student organizations, choirs, and other groups close to Estonian traditions attend it.

Flag hoisting to the sounds of the Estonian anthem
Estonian Male Choir Association male choirs and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Orchestra
Conductor Hanno Põldmäe

Speech by the President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor

“Eesti Lipp”
Music by Enn Võrk, lyrics by Martin Lipp
Estonian Male Choir Association male choirs and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Orchestra
Conductor Peeter Perens

Speech by Tallinn Secondary School of Science final year student Mathias Kübar

“Jää vabaks, Eesti meri”
Music and lyrics by Viktor Konstantin Oxford
Estonian Male Choir Association male choirs and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Orchestra
Conductor Indrek Vijard

Words of blessing by EELC Archbishop Urmas Viilma

“Hoia, Jumal, Eestit”
Music by Juhan Aavik, lyrics by Aleksander Leopold Raudkepp
Estonian Male Choir Association male choirs and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Orchestra
Conductor Ants Soots

Estonian Declaration of Independence, read by fourth year student of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, winner of Voldemar Panso Prize Priit Põldma

“Kodumaa”

March for brass band by Raimund Kull
Estonian Police and Border Guard Orchestra
Conductor Hanno Põldmäe

Approximate end of the ceremony 8.10 a.m.

The ceremony is followed by an informal celebration together with the Estonian Folk Dance and Folk Music Association. You can brush up on your dancing skills with Folk Culture Society Koidupuna, Pelgulinn Community Centre mixed folk dance group Tontar, Folk Dance Society Pääsuke, Tallinn French School dance group Leesikad, Folklore Society Leigarid, and Saku Recreation Centre group Kohevad ja Tugevad.






























































Fotod: Estonia 100. Flag hoisting ceremony on February 24 (Riigkogu fotoarhiiv/Erik Peinar)

First book of Estonia 100 series introduced – Laar and Hiio introduced the first book on Monday at the Apollo cinema in Tallinn’s Solaris center

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – The series of 44 books on a wide range of different topics will eventually provide a broad overview of the first century of Estonian statehood. The first two books revisit the history of the Estonian state and were written by historian and former Prime Minister Mart Laar, and historian Toomas Hiio.

“Writing this book it felt like we’d need at least one hundred books to write down the one-hundred years of history of the Republic of Estonia. Fortunately we were able to fit this story ranging from the birth of the Estonian national movement to the creation of an independent country into two books,” Laar said.

The first book traces the events that led to the Declaration of Independence on Feb. 24, 1918, continues on with the Estonian War of Independence that followed shortly after, the growing pains of a young state, and the years that followed during which the Republic of Estonia was built as a 20th-century state.

Featured image: The first book was introduced on Feb. 19, 43 more will follow, to be published in 2018 and 2019 (Riigikantselei)
Source: News.err.ee

Estonian cinematographer Mart Taniel wins American Society of Cinematographers’ Spotlight award

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – Estonian cinematographer Mart Taniel won the American Society of Cinematographers’ Spotlight award for his work on Rainer Sarnet’s 2017 film November. Spotlight is the ASC’s award for professionals from outside the United States.

Other nominees included Máté Herbai with On Body and Soul as well as Mikhail Krichman with Loveless. Both films are also nominated for an Academy Award.

The American Society of Cinematographers’ awards are the year’s biggest event in this particular profession.

Source: News.err.ee

Compilation of biographies featuring judges and prosecutors is ready for readers

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The compilation titled “Kohtunikud, kohtu-uurijad ja prokurörid 1918–1940” (Judges, Court Investigators and Prosecutors 1918–1940) will be given as a present by the Supreme Court and the Office of the Prosecutor General to a hundred libraries and information centres, in order to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. The new lexicon comprises the careers and biographies of 387 judges and prosecutors who were in office during this time period, and it was compiled by the legal historian Toomas Anepaio. The lexicon is published in Estonian.

The book contains photographs and biographical data about the judges and prosecutors of the independent Republic of Estonia including their: date and place of birth, education and career including their military service, awards, memberships in associations, and the repression suffered by the persons in question as well as by their families. Priit Pikamäe, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said that quite a few of the judges found the courage to stand up to the regime at that time, and the lexicon is partly a nod of recognition to the loved ones of these judges and prosecutors, many of whom were subject to repression because their fathers or husbands held the position of a judge or a prosecutor.

“I sincerely hope that, in the near future, all the judges and prosecutors who have worked in Estonia will receive a mention – a second volume of the lexicon could concentrate on the period of occupation, while a third might name those judges who assumed office from 1991,” said Pikamäe. “The first prosecutor in Estonia began working in a court a hundred years ago. This was probably considered to be the best way for the court to get the highest quality evidence as a basis for the administration of justice,” said Lavly Perling, the Prosecutor General.

She added that, over time, the prosecutors moved away from the court in terms of constitutional law and they are now a part of the nation’s executive power. The independence of the courts and the equal treatment of judges are considered to be important cornerstones in the administration of justice. “All the same, we are still connected by the umbilical cord of law, so to speak. The prosecutors still have a duty to ensure the best conditions for the high quality administration of justice that will increase people’s trust, through presenting evidence that is acceptable to the court and through sound charges,” said Perling.

The lexicon was presented on 9 February at the Judicial Conference of Estonia and will also be presented on 6 April at the Prosecutors’ Assembly. The book is available for purchase through the website of the University of Tartu Press at www.tyk.ee. The lexicon will be delivered to the one hundred libraries and information centres – including those in every Estonian town and county – during the coming months.

Source: Riigikohus.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

 

Merikasarmi lit up in February in honour of Lithuania and Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will illuminate the seaside façade of Merikasarmi, its main building, on 16 February to mark the 100th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence and on 24 February for Estonia’s 100th anniversary.

Merikasarmi is architect Carl Ludvig Engel’s first major architectural design in Helsinki. The Foreign Ministry’s main building was completed in 1820. The illumination is a part of the Ministry’s own centenary celebrations. The façade of Merikasarmi was also illuminated in blue and white in honour of Finland’s 100 years of independence in 2017.

Source: Finland.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

 

BIG GALLERY: Tourest 2018 travel trade fair in Tallinn, Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – Tourest is the oldest and largest travel trade fair in the Baltic countries that has been organized by the Estonian Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ETFL) since 1991. It covers all the main travel segments, offering efficient platform to meet face to face the travel-hungry consumers and the majority of the market’s travel trade professionals who make the purchase decisions. It’s the optimum environment to present your products at the start of the season.

Tourest 2018, organized already for the 27th time, nearly 30 000 visitors wil be expected, who will have a great possibility to familiarize with the over 500 exhibitors from ca 30 countries.

Estonia is a growing market. 26 years of independence have not come close to satisfying the ever-growing motivation for travel and the need for exciting new destinations. In 2016 the number of visits to different countries abroad exceeded the population 3 times.

Nearly 8000 m2 of exhibition area of the Estonian Fairs exhibition centre, located on a pictureresque shore of the Gulf of Finland, is divided into three exhibition halls.

“The Main Hall” accommodates Estonian and international tour operators, travel agencies, transportation and insurance companies, educational institutions, hotels, leisure companies, etc. A special “Global Village” area has been reserved for different international destinations.

“Travellers’ Club” seminar area offers an inspirational programme of different travel destinations. It will definitely be one of the highlights at Tourest 2018 as well as a chance to enhance visibility as a destination.

“Travel ABC” is another seminar area in the Main Hall, where interesting topics connected to travelling will be discussed.

The hall “Visit Estonia!” lines up Estonian national tourism regions and attractions.

In the hall “Taste Estonia!” one finds a large selection of Estonian authentic food and cafeterias offered by Estonian Culinary Route. You could treat yourself during the long days of exhibiton and buy presents for those back at home. On top of that a colourful programme could be enjoyed on the main stage, with games and auctions. There will be a special area and acitivites for kids, organized by the Põlvamaa county.

TOUREST IS OPEN:

Friday, Feb 9 12:00-18:00
Saturday, Feb 10 10:00-18:00
Sunday, Feb 11 10:00-15:00
















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Fotod: NordenBladet/Helena-Reet Ennet

The Swedish Ambassador Mr. Anders Ljunggren hosted a Total Defence Seminar on February 6 th in Tallinn

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Swedish Ambassador Mr. Anders Ljunggren had the pleasure of hosting a Total Defence Seminar on February 6 th in Tallinn. Participants from different governmental and parliamentarian offices in both Sweden and Estonia had the opportunity to meet and exchange views on topics regarding Total Defence.

The Chairman of the Swedish Defence Commission, Mr. Björn von Sydow, was one of the keynote speakers. The Estonian Minister of Defence, Mr. Jüri Luik, was also one of the distinguished guests during the event.

The seminar consisted of presentations and interesting discussions regarding the development of Total Defence concepts in each country. The ambassador Mr. Anders Ljunggren and the Embassy of Sweden would like to thank all participants for their significant contributions during the seminar and look forward to continued cooperation between Sweden and Estonia.

The event was moderated by the Swedish Defence Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Mathias Järvare.

Source: SwedenAbroad.com
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

 

Supreme Court declares excessive bailiffs’ fees invalid

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — By the decision of 25 January, the Supreme Court declared the fee rates stipulated in the Bailiffs Act (§ 35 (2) and (3)) unconstitutional; the decision will take effect after a period of six months. The Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court was asked to settle a dispute over whether a debtor was obliged to pay the bailiff’s basic fee, which was more than 10,000 euros for the case in question.

In all the court instances, both the appellant as well as the Civil Chamber called into question the constitutionality of the regulation requiring the payment of the fee. The matter was referred for a hearing by the Supreme Court en banc, comprising 19 justices. The Supreme Court en banc explained that when determining the fee, a bailiff is guided by the provisions of the law and there is no basis in the current Bailiffs Act for reducing the basic fee.

A bailiff’s basic fee is a compulsory contribution under public law, resembling a levy. Its primary purpose is to cover the cost of a particular activity but also, for example, to pay for the reasonable remuneration of the bailiff and their office personnel as well as other necessary expenses. According to the Supreme Court en banc, the use of such cross-subsidisation is allowed, i.e. the coverage of the expenses accompanying the activity from the income received for other enforcement proceedings or activities.

They stressed, however, that the possibility to implement the principle of cross-subsidisation (i.e. the “settlement” of expenses) is not constitutionally unlimited. This means that the rate of the basic fee may not be excessively high when compared to the expected costs involved in meeting the relevant requirements. The Supreme Court en banc estimated that in the disputed matter, the fee rates are clearly higher than the expected costs of the proceedings. The Supreme Court en banc postponed the enforcement of the invalidity of the provisions by a period of six months in order to give the Riigikogu time to adopt a constitutional set of rules.

Source: Riigikohus.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

 

Baltic states join forces for 12 film festivals in centennial year

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – The Baltic film institutions renewed their mutual cooperation agreement at Trieste Film Festival. An addendum sets out the plan to run 12 joint film promotion projects in 2018 on the occasion of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania’s centennial year.

“Three years ago, we saw more potential in presenting ourselves as one region. When working together, it is easier for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to gain access to high-profile festivals and film industry events. This year, as we are celebrating statehood centenaries of all the three nations, we have an opportunity to draw attention to ourselves and plan an intensive year of promoting Baltic cinema,” says Rolandas Kvietkauskas, CEO of Lithuanian Film Centre.

Following up on the Mutual Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2015 in Cannes, to step up joint efforts in promoting Baltic film production and marketing, the film institutions of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have agreed to cooperate on projects presenting and promoting their national cinemas in a number of European feature film, documentary and animation festivals.

Source: News.err.ee

EU Supreme Courts have turned to the European Commission

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — On Monday, 18 December, the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union issued a letter to Frans Timmermans, the Vice-President of the European Commission. 

The letter t, which was signed by Priit Pikamäe, the President of the Network, expressed grave concern over the events concerning the Polish justice system. The Network of Presidentsis of the opinion that the intended legislative changes could seriously undermine the independence of the Polish judiciary and the Supreme Court, as well as the legal certainty within Europe.

The Network of Presidents stated that the intention of one of the changes, which was to lower the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges, will have a significant impact on the current composition of the Supreme Court. Namely, as a result of this decision, over one third of the current Supreme Court judges, including the First President of the Supreme Court of Poland, will have to leave office. The Network of Presidents expressed its deep concern that the premature termination of office of Supreme Court judges would impede the autonomy and the independence of the Supreme Court, and emphasised that the pre-term removal of judges is not in line with the case law of the European Court of Justice. According to the Network of Presidents, the legislative changes that will give the Polish Parliament control over the appointment of judges will in the long run politicise the judiciary. The appointment of judges needs to be independent from politics.

The Network of Presidents stressed that the judicial cooperation of the Member States of the European Union is based on mutual trust, and that legal certainty and trust are the preconditions for the mutual recognition and enforcement of court decisions in the Member States.

Source: Riigikohus.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

 

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