I returned to Tallinn in time for a National Holiday on August 20th, Taasiseseisvumispäev or the Restoration of Independence Day. This marks the day when in 1991 Estonia declared formal independence from the Soviet Union during the Soviet military coup attempt in Moscow, reconstituting the pre-1940 state. This was a day that many, both in Estonia and abroad feared may never come and is still fresh in many peoples minds as something not to be taken for granted. A more detailed history of the day and the events leading up to it can be found here http://estonianworld.com/life/estonia-celebrates-the-day-of-restoration-of-independence/
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on this day said,
“Today Estonia celebrates 23 years since the restoration of independence. A free people in a free country. Today, this is no small feat. Restoration of independence did not just fall in our laps. Our success came from long preparations and debates by a re-emergent civil society.”
The Estonian flag, striped blue black and white holds great importance to the Estonian people. The even bands of color symbolize the blue of the sky, the black of the rich soil and the white representing purity of the heart, hard work and commitment. During the times of Soviet Occupation, flying of the flag or a display of the colors was illegal. According to the Estonian Flag Act, along with the Day of Restoration, the flag should be hoisted in residential, commercial and office buildings on Independence Day (Vabariigi aastapäev - February 24) and Victory Day (Võidupüha- June 23). There are also several other established flag days on which the flag can be flown at locations other than those where they can be permanently hoisted. Permanent brackets to hold flag can be seen on many apartment buildings as in the picture above of my aunt’s apartment building where I am staying while in Tallinn.
Pikk Hermann or Tall Hermann is a 45m tall stone tower of Toompea Castle next to the Estonian Parliament Building. On December 12, 1918 the Estonian flag was first raised as a national symbol on top of Pikk Hermann and is now raised each day at sunrise (but no earlier than 7 am) and lowered at sunset (but no later than 10 pm). I remember my grandmother having a photograph-poster of Pikk Hermann up on her wall and it was brought great pride when the flag was flown from the tower again. More history of the tower and complex can be found here: http://riigikogu.ee/index.php?id=37659.
To celebrate a concert was held on Harjumägi or Harju Hill right behind Vabaduseväljak or Independence Square. Well known Estonian singers sang Estonian and patriotic songs to the music performed by the Defence Orchestra to a large crowd despite the rain.
After the concert I walked up Harjumägi towards Toompea to this memorial marking this day 23 years ealrier.
The sign read
„Estonia’s road to freedom from the decades long occupation by the Soviet Union was complicated adn full of hazards. On 18 January 1991, after the bloody events in Vilinus and Riga, all access roads to Toompea were blocked with boulders and concrete blocks.
On 20 August 1991, during the attempted coup d’etat in Moscow, The Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia passed a resolution about the state sovereignty of Estonia. The Republic of Estonia was restored without bloodshed and casualties.
This boulder was one of the blocks on the road to Toompea. It was turned into a memorial in August 1993."
Just around the corner from the monument is the entry to the Estonian Parliament Building- the Riigikogu where Estonian independence was voted on and declared. The building was designed by architects Eugene Haberman and Herbet Johanson and was inaugurated in 1922.
(http://jaaknilson.photoshelter.com/image/I0000mYzw7s8MW8A)
An aerial view of the complex by Jaak Nilson.