The Chairman of the Riigikogu, Jüri Ratas, said at the ceremonial flag-raising ceremony held on the morning of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, that although the meaning of February 24 has changed for us too, we will not surrender Estonia’s most important holiday to evil, but it will remain a celebration of freedom.
Ratas said at the ceremony held in the Governor’s Garden that when we raised our blue-and-white flag on the Pika Hermann Tower in honor of the birthday of the Republic of Estonia a year ago, Russia had attacked its neighboring country Ukraine a few hours earlier. “Putin started a full-scale war of conquest, the likes of which the 21st century has not known. On that day, the hope that big wars in Europe would be a thing of the past was shattered,” he said.
According to him, this is a moment of truth for all of us: if Ukraine were to fall, the same fate could once again await several European countries and nations. “Ukraine is fighting not only for the survival of its country, nation and culture, but for the existence of all of us. Today we confirm unequivocally – the support of Estonia and our allies to Ukraine will continue until Ukraine has won this war,” said Ratas.
The chairman of the Riigikogu stated that he has personally seen the will to defend, resilience, determination and gratitude of the Ukrainians for what the Estonian state and the people of Estonia have given to Ukraine. “We too know the importance of friends and allies. On February 24, 105 years ago, we founded our country and secured its independence in the War of Independence thanks to the efforts, sacrifices and support of the Estonian people and our friends,” he said.
Ratas stated that the meaning of February 24 has changed forever for us too. “But I refuse to surrender the most important anniversary of the Republic of Estonia to evil. February 24 will not be a day of terror and fear. It will be a day of kindness, where despite the destruction and the desire to subdue, people’s kindness and willingness to help won. It will be a day of courage, because on February 24, the overwhelming enemy was faced fearlessly and selflessly. It will be a day of unity because it will unite all those who value freedom, humanity and the right to life and peace. It will be a day of justice because those who unleashed evil will be punished,” he said.
Ratas added that this is how our birthday is and will remain for us and future generations all over the world. “And we will stand resolutely for this as long as it takes. February 24 has celebrated and will continue to celebrate freedom,” said the chairman of the Riigikogu at the flag-raising ceremony.
The Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church said the words of blessing at the flag-raising ceremony held in the governor’s garden. Urmas Viilma and the independence manifesto of the Republic of Estonia was read out by a student of the third year of the XXXI flight of the EMTA performing arts school Hele Palumaa. Enn Võrgu’s “Estonian flag” to the words of Martin Lipu, Juhan Aavik’s “Hoia, Jumal, Estonia” to the words of Aleksander Leopold Raudkep, Viktor Konstantin Oxford’s “Jää vabaks, Estonian sea” and Raimund Kull’s “Homeland” were performed by the choirs of the Estonian Men’s Song Society and the Tallinn Police Orchestra. A mill for words.
Speech of the Chairman of the Riigikogu
