Estonia Remembers Soviet Deportation Victims
The victims of mass deportations that took place 64 years ago today will be memorialized in an annual candle-lighting ceremony in Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu.
From March 25 to 29, 1949, the Soviet regime deported over 20,000 Estonians to labor camps in Siberia.
At noon today, a memorial wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the base of Tallinn's Liberty Cross, attended by state agencies, military representatives, diplomats, student groups and other organizations.
A bishop from the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church will say a prayer, followed by speeches by Regional Affairs Minister Siim Kiisler and the head of an organization representing victims of Soviet repressions.
At 13:00, a memorial service will commence at St. John's Church, adjacent to the monument.
In the evening, at 18:00, thousands of candles will be lit in honor of the victims, on Freedom Square in Tallinn and elsewhere in Estonia.