Fact Sheet June 2004 Estonia Today Estonia’s Blue-Black-White Tricolour Flag 120 The year of the Estonian National Flag was declared at the 84th celebration of the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty. The declaration was made by President Arnold Rüütel, Chairman of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma, Prime Minister Juhan Parts. 4 June 2004 will mark 120 years since the blessing of the tricolour in Otepää. 2004 is the official year of the Estonian National Flag and 4 June is now an official National Holiday, National Flag Day. The blue-black-white tricolour has been adopted by Following the occupation of Estonia by Soviet forces the Estonian people, and has become the most in 1940, Estonia’s national symbols were forcibly important and loved national symbol. The tricolour replaced by Soviet symbols. The raising of the has been one of the most important factors in the Estonian flag or even the possession of the tricolour independence, consciousness and solidarity of the was considered a crime for which some people were Estonian people. even sent to prison camps or killed. Expatriate Estonian organisations and societies must be The idea of the blue-black-white colour combination commended for upholding the honour of the Estonian was born from the Estonian Awakening Period at the National Flag during the difficult period of Soviet founding of the “Vironia” Society (now Eesti occupation. The 100th anniversary of the Estonian Üliõpilaste Selts, Estonian Students Society) on Flag was celebrated in exile. The Singing Revolution 29 September 1881. of the late 1980s paved the way for the raising of the The first blue-black-white flag was made in the spring blue-black-white Estonian flag to the top of the Pikk of 1884. Since appearances with this flag were Hermann tower on 24 February 1989. banned in Tartu, the flag was blessed on 4 June The Year of the Flag also carries great importance, 1884 in Otepää. The last song of the service was as it is the year when the Estonian tricolour will fly “Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm” (My Native Land, My together with the national flags of European Union Pride and Joy, the current national anthem). and NATO Member States. The beginning of the 20th century was a period where the flag gained more national importance. Year of the Estonian Flag Numerous houses were decorated with national flags the day before the VII Song Festival in 1910 until 4 June local authorities demanded the removal of the flags. Ceremonial flag raising at Toompea in Tallinn. The blue-black-white flags of Estonian Student 11.00 Opening of the Maarja Church in Otepää. organisations and Estonian soldier groups were The original Estonian Flag will be on display. waived at the large Estonian manifestation and parade demanding Estonian autonomy in Petrograd 12.00 Ceremonial service held by Archbishops in 1917. Following this manifestation, Estonia was Jaan Kiivit and Udo Petersoo. The service the only country that was granted autonomy by will be followed by speeches by President Imperial Russia. After the new autonomy, soldiers Arnold Rüütel, Prime Minister Juhan Parts and citizens were seen wearing tricolour badges and and representatives of EÜS (Estonian ribbons. Students Society) in front of the church. 14.30 A public celebration will take place in the On 24 February 1918, accompanied by the blue- Pastorate Courtyard. The Ellerhein black-white tricolour, Estonia declared its Children’s Choir will perform. independence. The provisional Government of the Republic of Estonia declared the blue-black-white 11 June tricolour the official Estonian National Flag on 21 The opening of the “Estonian Flag 120” exhibition in November 1918. The flag was raised for the first time the National Library. as a national symbol at the Pikk Hermann Tower in Tallinn on 12 December 1918. Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islandi väljak 1, Tallinn 15049, Estonia Tel. +372 631 7600, Fax +372 631 7617, E-mail: [email protected] www.vm.ee .