Independence Day marked nationwide and beyond in variety of ways
25 Feb 2021 EWR Online
Independence Day 102 flag raising ceremony in Tallinn. Source: Priit Mürk/ERR
Independence Day, February 24 2021, Estonia's 103rd birthday, has been and gone, and ERR has been active traveling the length and breadth of the land, and beyond, to capture a glimpse of how the big day was marked in different locations.
The eastern town of Narva, due to its location, sees dawn arrive a little under 15 minutes earlier than does the capital, meaning the town had the first flag-raising ceremony, at 7.18 a.m.
Tallinn's ceremony started at 7.32 a.m. and saw the traditional speech in the governor's garden on Toompea from the Riigkogu speaker, and blessing from the head of the Lutheran Church in Estonia, in a skinned-down version of the annual event, which socially distanced members of the public could watch from afar.
At 10 a.m., the head of state, President Kersti Kaljulaid, head of government, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and Riigikogu speaker Henn Põlluaas, together laid wreaths at the Victory Column in Tallinn's Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square).
