Photo: Kaupo Kalda

Greetings from the Estonian American National Council on the 35th anniversary of restored independence of Estonia! Head Eesti taasiseseisvumise päeva!

Estonia’s Restoration of Independence Day (Taasiseseisvumispäev), celebrated on August 20, commemorates the moment in 1991 when Estonia officially broke free from over five decades of illegal Soviet occupation and formally declared its sovereignty, returning to the democratic independence it first established in 1918. 

On this 35^th anniversary year of that momentous occasion, we are reminded of the incredible unity of purpose that is required to attain and maintain freedom. Recognizing today’s uncertain and dangerous time, Estonia is engaged every day in whole-of-society approaches to military preparedness, civil defense, and public awareness, and directing increased resources toward these priorities. All the while, Estonian Americans seek to remind our political representatives and the American public at large that European security is American security, international norms are worth preserving, and that aggressors can never be rewarded.

Importantly this 35^th anniversary also falls during the 250^th anniversary of U.S. independence, allowing us to commemorate our common foundational principles of a people’s right to dignity and self-determination and a nation’s right to pursue its own dreams and destiny. These are values and aspirations we can proclaim together with all Americans.

This year let’s celebrate Estonia’s re-independence whole-heartedly. We can reach out and let our American friends know what we are celebrating and amplify our common values. We can use the opportunity to remind EVERYONE that Ukraine, too, is celebrating the 35^th anniversary of its sovereignty, even while it is fighting a hot war on its own soil for its very existence, risking countless lives every day in a war that has now gone on longer than WWII. On August 24, 1991, Ukraine’s parliament declared Ukraine an independent, democratic nation, setting Ukraine on a future course to pursue its own destiny, which it must now defend. Ukraine’s fight is also our fight, and the fight of everyone who values freedom over tyranny.

Our message for this 35^th anniversary is one of whole-hearted celebration, unity and common purpose, something that we will need for the long term.  For Estonia and its neighbors, there is no other option.

Elagu Eesti! Long live the Republic of Estonia!

Mai-Liis Bartling, president