Hello all, dear Estonians and friends of Estonia, celebrating the 107th anniversary of Estonia today here and around the world!
I am speaking to you from Tallinn, Toompea, from the newly renovated Estonian Statehood House. It was built as a townhouse by the Üxküll family 300 years ago, and subsequently, the building belonged to the Estonian Knighthood. It has also housed the National Library and the Academy of Arts of Estonia.
However, as the foreign minister, I consider it particularly important that between 1921 and 1940 – for almost 20 years – the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was located here. And perhaps it would still be based here if Estonia had not lost its freedom for almost half a century. And if we had not lost our foreign ministers and diplomats, many of whom died in Russian prison camps.
To celebrate this festive day, I would like to show you some glimpses of the Estonian Statehood House through the camera lens because the rooms in this building tell the story of Estonia through interiors. What better time to tell the story of Estonia than on its birthday?
Dear audience,
Statehood entails communicating with partners on the formal state level. Now, Tallinn finally has a distinguished location for this purpose.
I am currently in the room that used to house the office of the foreign minister. Foreign ministers like Ants Piip, Otto Strandman, Jaan Tõnisson, August Rei, Karl Selter and others have worked here. The office next to this one showcases beautifully renovated furniture from 1935 that used to belong to the Estonian ambassador in Berlin. The Estonica Library Room and the Three Lions Room are close by, as well as the former conference hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is now the Press Room. Not far from here, there is the Statehood Room, where all four Estonian constitutions are displayed. The period when the building was managed by the Estonian Knighthood can be explored in the Maapäev Room, where 280 coats of arms of the nobility illustrate historical Estonia in a pictorial form.
I am convinced that all foreign ministers who once worked here would be proud to see that the historic building that was unused for a long time can now be used by Estonia again in its full glory. Let us be proud of the Estonian Statehood House!
Dear friends,
Naturally, our Independence Day is celebrated in 45 Estonian foreign missions and by 200 honorary consuls in 96 countries – all this forms a network of Estonia’s foreign missions that supports you when you are living abroad.
The Globalestonian.com website gives an overview of how Estonians across the world are celebrating Independence Day. I am particularly glad to see that parties are held almost everywhere: in Australia, United States, Austria, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, and many other countries we are not even aware of.
I would like to thank all of you who live abroad and preserve Estonian language and culture. In your daily life, you probably do not think about the fact that cherishing Estonian identity and language contributes to the Estonian identity in general, and indirectly, to Estonia’s security. However, that is the case.
You are supporting Estonia by telling your friends and colleagues about Estonia: whether it is the beautiful music of Arvo Pärt, a digital state with zero red tape, Estonia’s unspoiled nature or our education system that is among the best in the world according to PISA rankings. The same is true of you working as a teacher in an Estonian school or kindergarten, making an effort to speak Estonian to your children, taking part in a choir or folk dance group, or volunteering to lead an Estonian organisation or project.
The more people know about Estonia, the greater the number of people speaking Estonian and engaging in Estonian culture, the more secure a small country like Estonia is in the current turbulent world.
Particularly in light of the growing pressure on the rules-based international order and Russia waging a full-scale war in Europe against Ukraine. What is at stake in Ukraine is the rules-based world order and therefore, the freedom of us all. Preserving that freedom requires a just peace in Ukraine, the long-term containment of aggressive Russia, reinforced alliances, and a more confident Europe.
I would like to reiterate, a more confident Europe. Because it is in our hands to prevent an agreement on Ukraine without Ukraine. And an agreement concerning Europe being made without us. Like was unfortunately the case in 1939. The Estonian people are painfully aware of this. It is our task as Europe to keep supporting Ukraine if Ukraine wishes to keep fighting for its freedom. And not force unfair conditions on them simply to allow Putin to continue his aggression. Perhaps not only in Ukraine but somewhere else as well.
Dear friends,
While we are celebrating our birthday, a lot of complicated things are happening around the world. As the foreign minister, I can assure you that Estonia is at the tables where our and Europe’s future is being discussed. We can be proud of all Estonians and Estonian residents for the contribution that we have made in support of Ukraine, as well as for the initiatives we have led globally.
The Estonian community abroad has emphatically offered both financial and moral support to Ukraine. I would like to recognise and thank you for this! Ukraine must not be forgotten.
Dear friends,
Hando Runnel has said ‘Writing is born of the church, a nation of a book.’ These lines remind us during this Year of the Estonian Book that the written Estonian language is 500 years old and this is no small feat. Many European countries cannot make the same claim. This year, I would like to call on you to read literature in Estonian and tell the story of our 500-year-old written language wherever possible. If we do not do this, who else will do it for us?
The song and dance festival is held in Tallinn this summer. ESTO is held in Stockholm, Tallinn, and Narva. I hope that many of you find your way to Estonia to see and experience it all yourself. You can also use the opportunity to visit grandparents, relatives or friends. Hike in the bog and the forest, and go to the seaside and take a dip in the sea.
Sometimes, the negative news feed tends to overshadow positive things but the numbers do not lie: the number of foreign tourists visiting Estonia in 2024 increased by 15% compared to the previous year. One can assume this number will grow even more thanks to the song festival; the number of tourists has usually increased during song festival years. This means that Estonia is increasingly known for the unique things people can see, hear and experience here. This also means that despite our neighbourhood, Estonia is considered a safe destination. It is good to feel that the world believes in us more and more: let us do the same and celebrate the birthday of our small country!
I am wishing you a happy 107th birthday of the Republic of Estonia! I hope all your festive tables include Estonian aromas and flavours. Even if not, there is no doubt Estonia is greater and more powerful in your minds than ever before. In conclusion, as the foreign minister I can assure you that when we decided in the early 1990s that we would never be alone again, this is indeed the case today. We are not alone. We and our Allies are ready to defend the values for which we stand. Either as a NATO member or a European Union member state.
Happy birthday, Estonia!
