June 14 Deportations Remembered
The June 14, 1941 deportations of Estonians were remembered across the country on Saturday, with a special focus on Rapla County this year.
Seventy-three years ago, 10,000 people were deported to Siberia in an attempt by the Soviet occupation to terrorize the population and decapitate the national leadership.
This year saw a new film, "In the Crosswind(s)," about the tragedy. The film was shown in various places - in Tallinn at Noblessneri port, and in Rapla County in the small railway station of Käru.
Speaking at the latter location, with hundreds of candles glowing, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas pledged that like this night, all subsequent nights would be free of terror.
"We have built a strong country and integrated with international security organizations. We rule out any chance of crimes against humanity being repeated on Estonian soil. We know how dear the price was that we had to pay for losing our freedom. The candle flames help us remember."