"The Chancery of St. Petersburg's Consulate General in Pskov is planning various events celebrating the Estonian centennial throughout the year within its consular district, and so the celebration of the Estonian centennial thus certainly won't be canceled," ministry adviser Sandra Kamilova told ERR.

According to Kamilova, the centennial reception planned in Pechory is indeed currently postponed, as the local government did not grant permission for the event to be held at the Pechory Cultural Centre, citing Russian laws.

The Estonian Embassy in Moscow, the Consulate General in St. Petersburg and the Chancery of St. Petersburg's Consulate General in Pskov have regularly celebrated Estonian Independence Day with annual receptions. "The Estonian centennial reception in St. Petersburg took place at St. John's Church on Feb. 21," Kamilova noted. "An Independence Day reception was also held in Moscow, which took place away from the embassy due to renovations."

Aare Hõrn, chief of the Seto Congress Elders Council, told ERR that the district powers' decision was a sad one, but that the Seto people have a number of exhibitions to offer Pskov Cultural Centre, and are planning on organizing a cleanup day at the local Lutheran graveyard.

"There are a lot of ideas and plans," Hõrn said. "We are offering our hand in friendship to Pskov and Pechory."