23/02/2023
Dear Mustamäe residents!
Tomorrow we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Estonia.
But already today, on Thursday, February 23, I would like to invite everyone to Männi Park at 18:00 to a free concert dedicated to this event, where the famous Estonian band 2 Quick Start will perform for you.
Tonight we will celebrate the anniversary of Estonia´ independence together, and tomorrow each of us will do so at home amongst our closest and dearest. However, even then, each in the comfort of our homes, we will stay united in our thoughts.
Dear Mustamäe residents! It is difficult to overestimate the importance of our Independence Day. Estonia's independence deserves to be celebrated, and if possible, do it in bearing with our ancestors´ tradition – with a traditional shot of vodka and 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘷𝘰̃𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘣 (traditional rye bread open sandwich with thin layer of butter and a layer of 𝘷𝘶̈𝘳𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘶 (pickled Baltic sprats) as topping).
More than a hundred years ago, few believed that the horror of World War I, which began in 1914, would lead to Estonia´s independence on February 24, 1918. And given all the complex historical upheavals of that time, probably few people thought that the Estonian state could survive. But Estonia did survive, despite all the hardships and thanks to the will of our people to win and to overcome. People were ready to make sacrifices for the sake of a noble goal - the formation and defence of the new-born country.
As a result of World War II, our independence was ripped away from us, but not the desire to be independent and to preserve and pass on our culture and the heritage of our ancestors. And it was due to this desire and strong will that the people of Estonia regained their freedom! However, this revival of statehood was also preceded and accompanied by challenging times that changed the face of the world.
Yet, once again, we persevered and stood tall.
When celebrating the 105th anniversary of Estonia, we should recall and thank those people who stood behind the creation and restoration of our country, who carried and continue to carry the fire of freedom through the most difficult and darkest of times. They deserve the deepest respect and gratitude.
However, today, on February 23, 2023, we cannot help but think about how much the world has changed over the past year. The world as we know it is once again being pulled apart.
But even in these challenging times, we must remember – as did our predecessors, who not once but twice won the freedom for our country - that strong Estonia primarily means strong people. Fear is a bad adviser! We must be brave and persistent and, despite the daily difficulties of life, help others whose life situations at the moment are even more difficult than ours. This is the only way we can show that we, our society and our country are united and strong!
Tomorrow, on February 24, our beautiful Estonia turns 105 years old, and today we feel especially keenly how priceless are our sovereignty, freedom and independence.
Lennart Meri said that we bear responsibility for our country all together and each one of us separately!
Dear Mustamäe residents! Congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia!
Bless you, your loved ones and our country!
Lauri Laats
Head of Mustamäe District Administration
