On 24 February, Estonia celebrates Independence Day (Eesti Vabariigi aastapäev), a national holiday marking the anniversary of the Estonian Declaration of Independence in 1918.
Ruled for centuries by foreign powers, Estonia yearned to become an independent nation. In the wake of the Russian Revolution, the Salvation Committee drafted the Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Manifest Eestimaa rahvastele), which was read out from the balcony of the Endla Theatre in Pärnu on 23 February 1918. On the following day, the Manifesto was published in Tallinn, marking the birth of the Republic of Estonia.
Traditionally, this national holiday is celebrated with concerts and fireworks. In the capital Tallinn, the military parade is followed by the presidential reception, a popular event accompanied by the televised speech of the Estonian president.
Did you know?
- Estonia was the first country to allow online voting for all citizens in 2005 and is one of the most digitally advanced nations in the world!
- Estonia boasts vast green spaces and over 2000 islands, not bad for such a small country!
- Last but not least, Estonians are great linguists: indeed, many locals speak English, Russian and German!
Do you speak Estonian? Practise your interpreting skills with the Speech Repository, where you will find 14 restricted speeches and 74 public speeches on a variety of topics! What are you waiting for?
Happy practice!
Your Speech Repository Team