Ahead of Estonia's 95th Independence Day on February 24, the Heritage Society has proposed starting a new tradition of lighting candles on the graves of great figures of Estonian culture and society in the month of February.

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves will launch the new custom on February 8 at the Tarvastu cemetery, where he and local students will pay respects at the final resting places of the nation's first Olympic medalist, Martin Klein, as well as those of art historian Helmi Üprus and scouting leader Harri Haamer, according to a press release from the Office of the President.

Schools everywhere in Estonia will follow, making trips to their local cemeteries.

"Youths will be introduced to our statesmen, writers, artists, musicians and heritage preservers to give a sense of the individual's role and the role of the spiritual heritage that it has in a small nation's history," the statement said.

Eestlased Eestis

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