Independence Day celebrations around Estonia this Saturday!
Text Susanna Poikela Photo Andrei Chertkov
There are many events taking place around Estonia to mark the 106th anniversary of its independence. Read on to find out what is happening in the city closest to you.
Tallinn
On the morning of Estonian Independence Day at 7:34 AM, the Estonian flag will be raised at the top of Tallinn’s Pikk Hermann tower. The Estonian declaration of independence will also be read at the event. After this, a celebration service is held in St. John’s Church, which starts at 8:20 am.
The traditional parade will start at 12 noon in Freedom Square, where the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, will receive the parade. A total of 840 members of the Defense Forces, lead by General Martin Herem, will participate in the military parade.
Music from morning to night
Classical music will be served at Mustapeade Maja in old town, where the Tallinn Chamber Choir will perform a free Independence Day concert at 1 pm.
The hottest gig of Independence Day will take place at Tallinn’s Kultuurikatel, where rap artists nublu and Mikael Gabriel will perform. The show starts at 11 pm.
Tartu
The day will begin in the university city with the raising of the Estonia flag at 7:30 am, followed by the laying of wreaths at the memorial to those who died in the War of Independence.
From 11 am in the town hall square there will be an event organised by the Estonian Defense League (Eesti Kaitseliit). Where you can familiarise yourself with the equipment and work of the Police and Border Guard Service, Rescue Service, and Prison Service. An exhibition will also been built on the square showing equipment and weapons from the Finnish Defense League.
Independence Day concert at the National Museum of Estonia
Jalmar Vabarna will be joined on stage by singers from the E STuudio girls’ choir, the E STuudio chamber choir, and the Eller’s girls’ choir for a concert entitled “This Estonia is left to you”. The concert starts at 2 pm.
You can read more about Tartu’s Independence Day events (in Estonia) here.
Pärnu
In Pärnu, the Estonian flag will be raised at 7:31 am in Independence Square. Mihkel Lüdig’s Male Choir and Pärnu Art School’s Boys’ Choir will be performing. After the event, an Estonian-language city tour “Pärnu – Birthplace of the Republic of Estonia” will be organised.
If you want a touch of glamour, you should head to Villa Ammende’s three-course celebratory dinner. In addition to dinner, oyster master Anti Lepik’s oyster bar will take guests on a maritime taste experience.
Narva
The Estonian Flag will be raised at 7:20 am in the north courtyard of Narva Castle.
After that, you can head to the nearby Alex cafe, where the festive breakfast service starts at 7:30 am. Tables should be reserved in advance by phone. On Estonian Independence Day, the cafe will be open until 11 am.
Haapsalu
What’s more refreshing than an icy dip and sauna after the Independence Day raising of the Estonian flag. This is done in Haapsalu, where the winter swimming centre organises an event called kiluleivaujumine (which translates as sprat bread swimming) As the name suggests, swimmers can also enjoy the traditional Estonian delicacy.
Public event in the castle
In Haapsalu cathedral, the city’s annual awards will be distributed in honour of Estonian Independence Day. The event starts at 17 pm. After the ceremony, a public party will take place in the ground of the Episcopal Castle, where the audience will be treated to a video disco and fire show. You can also buy warm drinks and good food in the cafe. The event starts at 6 pm.
Rakvere
The birthday of the Republic of Estonia is also celebrated at the popular Buena Vista Sofa Club in Rakvere, where female duo Suured Tüdrukud (Kaire Vilgats and Dagmar Oja) will entertain listeners.
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