Estonia celebrates Native Language Day with an all-day reading marathon

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Vabariigi Presidendi Kantselei

Today, March 14, is Native Language Day in Estonia. To mark the occasion, an all-day Estonian language reading marathon will take place in front of the President’s Palace in Kadriorg Park. It will last from 6:41 am to 6:21 pm.

Estonian President Alar Karis was the first to read this morning as the sun rose at 6:41 am. During the 12 hour marathon, 70 well-known people from Estonian society will read a text that has been significant for them in their lives for 10 minutes. 

“Some may choose poetry, some fiction, some translated literature. Some may read a newspaper article, research, or a Facebook post,” explained Rasmus Puur, Culture Adviser to the President.

The well-known figures speaking include other politicians such as the Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, to figures from sport such as Mart Poom, and even influential foreign nationals living in Estonia such as Josemaria Cameon Ariza.

It is also possible to watch the event online here. 

Source ERR 

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Alar Karis Estonia Language Estonian Josemaria Cameon Ariza Kaja Kallas Mart Poom Native Language Day Rasmus Puur