Government members commemorate great Estonian statesmen
Members of the government traveled all across Estonia on Thursday to join local communities in honouring former statesmen with blue, black, and white scarves placed on statues and memorials. The ministers also visited the birthplaces of 14 statesmen.
Life-size photo sculptures of those instrumental in achieving Estonian statehood were set up at their birthplaces for this ceremony. The photo sculptures will remain at the birthplaces of the state elders.
"Today we are proud and grateful to continue celebrating the jubilee week of the Republic of Estonia. With it we commemorate and acknowledge our brave ancestors and visionary heads of state, thanks the actions of whom we, the people of Estonia, live in a free country," Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) said. Ratas tied a scarf in Estonia's national colours around the sculpture of Jaan Tõnisson at Mursi farm in Viljandi County.
Minister of Health and Labour Jevgeni Ossinovski (SDE) placed a scarf around the neck of August Rei in Kurla in Viljandi County. "August Rei and his colleagues laid the foundation for Estonian society as well as our shared values as we know them now, 100 years later. When he became the first Leader of the Estonian Constituent Assembly in 1919, the head of the Social Democratic Workers’ Party put into words the aim of Estonia, a country that made it on the map of Europe through the strong will of a free people, to be an independent and democratic state based on the rule of law, a safe home to all the people living here. Looking at Estonia 100 years later, I believe that Rei would be proud of what we have accomplished, as we have followed the same principles he and his fellows followed in their political life when they founded this country," Ossinovski said.
Minister of Justice Urmas Reinsalu (IRL) traveled to Pilistvere in Viljandi County, where he attached a flag ribbon to the sculpture of Jüri Vilms. "Jüri Vilms gave his life to ensure the independence of young Estonia. His contribution to declaring the Provincial Assembly the sovereign power in Estonia, declaring independence, and assembling national forces to support nationhood was invaluable. In decisive moments, he never hesitated to fight for the interest of the Estonian people," Reinsalu said.
Editor: Dario Cavegn