To the American tune: the parade of the centenary of independence took place in Tallinn. Estonian independence day Estonian independence day february 24

26.09.2019

Estonia celebrates the strangest Independence Day in the world

On February 24, Estonia celebrates the national holiday - Independence Day (Iseseisvuspaev). IA REGNUM reported this today, on February 22, in the Estonian public-legal television and radio corporation ERR, noting that, according to a long-standing tradition, official solemn events take place on this day, including raising the national flag on the Long Hermann tower in Tallinn, divine services in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran churches, laying wreaths at monuments in honor of statesmen or participants in the War of Independence (1918-1920), a military parade and a presidential reception followed by a concert. All these events are broadcast live on Estonian state television. State flags are flown on the buildings of the country, and numerous official and public events and actions are held in various cities and counties of Estonia. In 2013, the 95th anniversary of the proclamation of Estonia's independence on February 24, 1918, adds dimension to the holiday.

T Nevertheless, the date celebrated on February 24, with all the variety of official "ceremonial" events held in Estonia, is considered one of the strangest and most controversial among Estonian historians and journalists. The reason is that the conditions and circumstances under which the independence of the Republic of Estonia was declared clearly do not correspond to the meaning of the concept of "independence". It was announced, not implemented, because the de facto "independent" Estonia ceased to be considered as such the very next day, February 25, 1918. That is why the history "real and imaginary" and the mythology created around it are viewed with skepticism by many intellectuals in Estonia and are accepted as "inevitable" in the formation of a positive image of a young state.

The main online encyclopedia about Estonia Estonica in the chapter "1914-1920. World War I and Estonian Independence" recognizes that on February 24, 1918, the Salvation Committee adopted the "Independence Manifesto" and announced the creation of the Republic of Estonia, taking advantage of a unique position. "Russian troops" (detachments of Estonian Bolsheviks and groups of Red Guards from among the former tsarist military personnel, the Red Army had not yet been formed - approx. IA REGNUM) were leaving Estonia, and the advancing German troops had not yet occupied the entire territory of the country. On February 24, in the strictest secrecy and under the protection of one of the detachments of the nascent Estonian army in Reval (now Tallinn), the Provisional Government of Estonia was formed, which remained "active" ... until the evening of February 25, when German troops entered Tallinn, and Before November 1918, a German occupation order was established in Estonia. Members of the Provisional Government in the "independent" country they declared during this period (February-November 1918) either fled the country and hid in their homes, or cooperated with the occupation forces as representatives of the local (not state) administration, or were arrested by the Germans ...

It is no coincidence that the main information site for foreign tourists Visitestonia in the chapter "History of Estonia: Chronicle of Key Events" immediately after the 1905 revolution in Estonia names the events in the following sequence, ignoring the date of February 24:

* 1905: * first Russian revolution.

* February 1918: * the occupation of Estonia by Germany.

* February 1920 *: Tartu Peace Treaty, concluded between the RSFSR and Estonia, with the recognition of the latter's independence.

In addition, Estonian historians admit that not all Estonians and residents of the country accepted the independence of the Republic of Estonia with enthusiasm, and the first proclamation of Estonian independence took place at all ... on February 23 in Pärnu. According to the historian Ago Pajur in his study "The Birth of the Estonian Independence Manifesto", for a long time the self-proclaimed Salvation Committee was afraid to voice this document in Tallinn because of the "obvious preponderance of the Bolsheviks", an attempt to proclaim it in Haapsalu (western Estonia, 100 km from Tallinn) in the location of the 1st Estonian Regiment on February 21, 1918, it also failed, since German units entered the city. In an atmosphere of the strictest secrecy, the participants in the epic of the proclamation of independence handed over the text of this manifesto to the commanders of the Second Estonian Regiment, who took control of the center of the city of Pärnu (western Estonia) after the "Reds" left it and in the absence of the advancing Germans, through the liaison - the clerk of the County Council Jaan Soop. This manifesto was first read from the balcony of the local theater "Endla" on the evening of February 23, which can be considered the official date of the proclamation of "independence" of Estonia. However, the official historiography of Estonia postponed this date to February 24, since on that day this text was first read in Reval. Prior to that, at four o'clock in the afternoon on February 24, the text of the manifesto was read in Viljandi and Paide (central Estonia).

As noted by the historian Pajur, on the night of February 24, 1918, the Estonian "Bolsheviks" received an official message from the Soviet government about the transfer of Estonia to the German troops under the terms of the Brest Peace Treaty, and their hasty evacuation from Reval began. The Salvation Committee decided to take advantage of the period of anarchy. At noon on February 24, 1918, in honor of independence, an impromptu military parade from the units of the 3rd Estonian Regiment took place in the center of Reval. Here, on the porch of the Real School, Konstantin Päts, appointed by the Rescue Committee as Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Estonia, for the first time on behalf of the central government of the country, publicly read the manifesto to the audience. A few hours later, German units entered the Estonian capital, and Estonia's "independence" ended. According to the historian, the first public proclamation of the Manifesto in Tallinn took place at all ... on the morning of February 25, 1918, exclusively in Estonian gymnasiums and "Estonian" churches. It is known that the German community of Revel refused to read the manifesto, citing the lack of translation into German.

The ideological contradictions in the issue of Estonian independence among the Estonians themselves at that time are eloquently evidenced by the fact that the workers of the Paevaleht printing house in Tallinn refused to print the text of the independence manifesto. As noted by the historian Pajur, "the matter was apparently in contradictions of the world," so they were forced to do it with the help of firearms. It turns out that the "sacred" decree on the independence of the Republic of Estonia was published with the use of violence and threats.
14:46 22.02.2013

Estonia's Independence Day is celebrated on 24 February. The roots of the holiday go back to the beginning of the 20th century, when the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in Tallinn in 1918. It was in 1918 that the free and independent Republic of Estonia began its history.

After World War I

Estonians associate gaining independence with the First World War, when Estonia was also involved in the war and defended its territory. The battles lasted for two years, until finally, in 1920, the country regained its freedom. Estonia's Independence Day was celebrated for the next twenty years, until the country again fell under the influence of its large neighbor. In 1940, after the signing of the Molotov-Ribentrop Pact, small Estonia became part of one big country. This followed not from the general points of the Soviet-German agreement, but a small secret protocol, where two European superpowers divided Eastern Europe.

Before World War II

Isn't it true that the events before the start of the Second World War remind us very much of the current situation in the world. Just as then, major European powers, such as France and England, enlisting overseas support, recognized the transfer of Estonia under the control of the USSR to be illegal. None of the countries supported the formation of the new Soviet republic of the Estonian SSR. Moreover, none of the major Western powers accepted the accession of Estonia to the Soviet Union. The inhabitants had to forget about such a holiday as the Independence Day of Estonia for forty long years.

On the ruins of an empire

Conversations about freedom began to be heard more and more often in Estonia only in the 80s of the twentieth century, with the advent of glasnost, perestroika and the beginnings of democracy in the USSR. People were not afraid to openly express their position and took to the streets of Estonian cities and celebrated, albeit unofficially, but no less passionately, the Independence Day of Estonia. By 1988, a new declaration of the country's independence was ready, according to which priority was given not to the laws of the USSR, but to the new Estonian order.

Estonian Independence Day: New Country

Estonia's new Independence Day began on August 20, 1991, when the pre-war status, lost in 1940, returned to the country. Soviet domination was seriously represented in small Estonia, so troops were withdrawn from the country for another three years. Despite the fact that independence from the USSR came on August 20, as before, it is customary to celebrate the Independence Day of Estonia on February 24, in the old way.

When is the Estonian Independence Day

Sputnik Estonia collected comments on the parade and the centenary of Estonian independence from three well-known representatives of the Russian public of the country of different professions, who, by a funny coincidence, bear the name "Sergei".

On Saturday, February 24, the national holiday of the Estonian Independence Day, a parade of servicemen and equipment of the Estonian Defense Forces took place on Vabaduse Square in Tallinn, dedicated to the centenary of the proclamation of the "Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia". About 1,100 soldiers and a hundred pieces of military equipment clearly demonstrated to the assembled spectators the readiness of the Estonian army to defend the borders of the state from the encroachments of a potential enemy.

The parade was led by the commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, General Riho Terras, and the parade was hosted by President Kersti Kaljulaid. In total, according to ERR, the parade was attended by employees of 50 banner platoons, 4 companies, 3 batteries and 20 platoons of the Estonian Defense Forces.

The musical accompaniment of the parade was provided by the bands of the Defense Forces and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. In addition, the US Army Orchestra also contributed.

All branches of the Estonian Defense Forces, the Joint Military Educational Institutions of the Defense Forces, the Baltic Defense College, the Guard Battalion, the Headquarters and Signal Battalion, the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades, and the cadets of the Academy of Internal Security were represented at the parade. the anti-tank platoon of the Rapla squad and the mortar platoon of the Harju squad of the Defense League (Kaitseliit), the women's volunteer paramilitary organization Naiskodukaitse and the Academic sub-squad of the Tallinn squad of the Defense League.

Ironically, in the parade dedicated to the proclamation of Estonia's independence, foreign servicemen took an active part, both from units stationed on Estonian territory on a permanent basis, and those who arrived specially for the holiday.

Foreigners were represented by banner platoons from the USA, Finland, France, Georgia, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine. In addition, infantry platoons of Great Britain and Denmark, which are part of a NATO tactical group located near Tapa in order to "contain Russia", marched through Wabaduse Square.

British Challenger tanks, Trojan sapper tanks and Warrior infantry fighting vehicles also rumbled their armor through the center of the Estonian capital, emitting plumes of stinking, pungent smoke.

Thanks to good weather, Estonian Air Force Robinson R44 helicopters, L29 trainer aircraft, Italian Eurofighter fighters and Danish F-16 fighters flew over the center of Tallinn. So that nothing could interfere with their pilots, flights of drones and any other aircraft over Wabaduse Square were prohibited.

After the end of the parade, everyone could get acquainted with the military equipment of the Estonian Defense Forces, the US Army and the Royal British Armed Forces. On Harju Street, the audience saw CV9035EE infantry fighting vehicles, Sisu XA-188 armored personnel carriers, British Challenger tanks, Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, Trojan sapper tanks and AS90 self-propelled artillery mount, 155-mm and 122-mm howitzers, Soviet ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun -2, as well as the Mistral anti-aircraft missile system, Milan and Javelin anti-tank systems, 120-mm mortar and Ground Master 403 mobile radar. The highlight of the program was the American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, which arrived in Tallinn a day earlier and "decomposed" right on the square Vabaduse.

Three Sergei under the window ...

Sergei Menkov, the author of the famous video commentary on the year before last year's parade in honor of the Independence Day, for which he was dismissed from service in the Rescue Department, the current "century" parade, by his own admission, slept. He was awakened by the sounds of planes and helicopters flying over his house.

According to Menkov, the day before the parade, he listened to a radio broadcast, during which the presenter discussed the upcoming celebrations with the calling radio listeners. He remembered the answer of one of the callers, who said that she did not want to freeze, but would rather watch the parade on TV at home in the evening.

“And I understood - this is the patriotism of our fellow citizens. They will make a beautiful review of the parade for her, show beautiful, comfortable angles, smile at her“ personally ”and wave the president's pen. Everyone will be satisfied. who will prepare this "salad", and those frozen boys and girls walking past the frozen, but very proud of my fellow countrymen. I congratulate my country, which declared democratic independence 100 years ago, although not everyone wants to remember that the Independence Manifesto was addressed to to all the peoples of Estonia, "Menkov said.

Music producer Sergei Krutikhin joked that he also "prepared" for the defense of Estonia, having eaten a can of mulgikapsas in the morning (an Estonian national dish made of pork, stewed cabbage and pearl barley, which causes increased gas formation in the stomach).

According to Krutikhin, he really liked the performance of the American orchestra. This is the only thing, in his opinion, that deserved attention: they played beautifully, clearly and loudly. The parade, in his understanding, is something that shows the power and beauty of the country, for which "it is not a shame". However, the demonstration of "antediluvian technology and a few airplanes" did not really match the power.

"Estonia considers NATO not as occupiers, but as partners. Although I still do not understand why Estonia does not know how to be independent and independent, how she shouts about it from every gateway. After all, a foreign boot has always roamed the country of which I am a citizen. But all the same, I want to believe that prudence will prevail and smart people will come to power in our country, caring first of all about their people, about their well-being, and not about some tribe from Zimbabwe or namaydani refugees from Ukraine who are ready to work for a stew, "said Krutikhin.

The well-known human rights activist Sergei Seredenko, who in the best traditions of the dissident movement is forced to work as a school janitor, on the day of the centenary of Estonian independence, analyzed the first constitution of the Republic of Estonia and cleared the yard of snow. According to Seredenko, the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia will be celebrated on June 15, 2020, on the centenary of the first Estonian constitution, which, in addition to being "too democratic", was also terribly politically incorrect by its prohibitions on the right to vote for feeble-minded, blind, deaf and bankrupt citizens Estonia.

The first paragraph of the Manifesto read: "All citizens of the Republic of Estonia, regardless of their religion, nationality and political views, are equally protected by the laws and courts of the republic."

The preamble of the current Estonian constitution states that the state "is called upon to ensure the preservation of the Estonian nation, language and culture for centuries", thus it is about one nation, one culture and one language.

“As one well-known Estonian poet said at the dawn of the restoration of independence:“ First, the rights of Estonians, then - human rights. ”The slogan of the Singing Revolution period“ For our freedom and yours! ”Was consigned to oblivion. With slogans it is true - they are forgotten. I won't let go of the slogan "Plats puhtaks!" , - Seredenko joked.

10:37 — REGNUM Today, February 24, Estonia celebrates a national holiday - Independence Day (Iseisvuspaev). About it IA REGNUM reported in the Estonian public-legal television and radio corporation ERR, noting that, according to a long-standing tradition, official celebrations are held on this day, including raising the national flag on the Long German tower in Tallinn, divine services in the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, laying wreaths at monuments in honor of state figures or participants in the War of Independence (1918-1920), a military parade and a presidential reception followed by a concert. All these events are broadcast live on Estonian state television.

On February 23, on the eve of the holiday, a solemn presentation of state awards of Estonia takes place. State flags are hung on the buildings of the country, and numerous official events take place in various cities and counties of Estonia. The heads of state and monarchical persons, including the Queen of Great Britain, sent their congratulations to Estonia on the national holiday. Elizabeth the Second and the president of Russia Vladimir Putin.

Nevertheless, the date celebrated today, February 24, with all the variety of official "ceremonial" events held in Estonia, is considered one of the strangest and most controversial among Estonian historians and journalists.

Reason: the conditions and circumstances under which the independence of the Republic of Estonia was proclaimed clearly inconsistent with the meaning of the concept of "independence". It was declared, not implemented, because actually "independent" Estonia ceased to be considered such the very next day, February 25, 1918 due to the occupation of the country by the troops of imperial Germany. That is why the history of “real and imaginary” and the mythology of the cult created around it on February 24 by many intellectuals in Estonia are viewed skeptically and are accepted as “inevitable” in the formation of a positive image of a young state.

The main online encyclopedia about Estonia Estonica in the chapter “1914−1920. World War I and Estonia's independence ”recognizes that on February 24, 1918, the Salvation Committee adopted the“ Manifesto of Independence ”and announced the creation of the Republic of Estonia, taking advantage of the unique position. "Russian troops" (detachments of Estonian Bolsheviks and groups of Red Guards from among the former tsarist military personnel, the Red Army has not yet been formed - approx. IA REGNUM) were leaving Estonia, and the advancing German troops had not yet occupied the entire territory of the country. On February 24, in the strictest secrecy and under the protection of one of the units of the nascent Estonian army in Reval (now Tallinn), the Provisional Government of Estonia was formed, which remained "active" ... until the evening of February 25, when German troops entered Tallinn and in Estonia until November In 1918, the German occupation order was established. Members of the Provisional Government in the "independent" country they declared during this period (February-November 1918) either fled the country and hid in their homes, or cooperated with the occupation forces as representatives of the local (not state) administration, or were arrested by the Germans ...

It is no coincidence that the main information site for foreign tourists Visitestonia, in the chapter "Estonian Independence Day", manages not to mention the events of February 24, 1918 at all, focusing all the attention of the historical information on ... February 23, 1918, when the text of this declaration was first read out and this happened not in Reval (now Tallinn).

In addition, Estonian historians admit that not all Estonians and residents of the country accepted the independence of the Republic of Estonia with enthusiasm. According to the historian Ago Payur in its study "The Birth of the Estonian Independence Manifesto", for a long time the self-proclaimed Salvation Committee was afraid to voice this document in Tallinn because of the "obvious preponderance of the Bolsheviks", an attempt to proclaim it in Haapsalu (western Estonia, 100 km from Tallinn) at the location of the 1st Estonian Regiment February 21, 1918 also failed, as German units entered the city. In an atmosphere of the strictest secrecy, the participants in the epic of the proclamation of independence handed over through a liaison - the clerk of the Zemsky Council Jaana Soopa- the text of this manifesto to the commanders of the Second Estonian Regiment, who took control of the center of the city of Pärnu (western Estonia) after the “Reds” left it and in the absence of the advancing Germans. This manifesto was read for the first time from the balcony of the local theater "Endla" on the evening of February 23, which can be considered the official date of the proclamation of the "independence" of Estonia. However, the official historiography of Estonia postponed this date to February 24, since on that day this text was first read in Tallinn. Prior to that, at four o'clock in the afternoon on February 24, the text of the manifesto was read in Viljandi and Paide (central Estonia).

As noted by the historian Ago Pajur, the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Estonia in Tallinn became possible thanks to ... Bolshevik Russia. On the night of February 24, 1918, the Estonian "Bolsheviks" received an official message from the Soviet government about the transfer of Estonia to the German troops following the negotiations in Brest, and their hasty evacuation from Revel began. The Salvation Committee decided to take advantage of the period of anarchy. At the same time, the proclamation of the manifesto in Tallinn in the afternoon of February 24 on the Town Hall Square was almost behind the scenes "for our own people."

According to the historian, the first public proclamation of the Manifesto in Tallinn took place at all ... on the morning of February 25, 1918, exclusively in Estonian gymnasiums and "Estonian" churches. It is known that the German community of Revel refused to read the manifesto, citing the lack of translation into German. At noon, in honor of independence, an impromptu military parade from the units of the Third Estonian Regiment took place in the center of Reval. Here, on the porch of the Real School, appointed by the Rescue Committee as the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Estonia Konstantin Päts for the first time, on behalf of the central government of the country, he publicly read the manifesto to the assembled audience. A few hours later, German units entered the Estonian capital, and Estonia's "independence" ended.

The ideological contradictions in the issue of Estonian independence among the Estonians themselves are eloquently evidenced by the fact that the workers of the Paevaleht printing house in Tallinn refused to print the text of the independence manifesto, as the historian Pajur notes, “the matter, apparently, was in ideological contradictions,” therefore they were forced to do it under the threat of firearms.

And the historian told about the very specifics of "independent" Estonia Mati Graf in his book Estonia and Russia 1917-1991: The Anatomy of Parting. According to his calculations, at least three times in 1918, the government of the Republic of Estonia asked Great Britain to occupy its territories in order to protect itself from the Bolsheviks and Germans.