Estonia Celebrates 105 years of Independence

Jacinta (Travelbiz) attended the joyous celebration of Estonia marking the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the country becoming a republic. Estonia’s Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Mrs Kairi Kunka, hosted a reception in the Hibernian Club on Dublin’s St Stephen’s Green on February 23rd. H.E. Mrs Kunka spoke passionately of Estonia’s support and solidarity with near neighbour, Ukraine, and it is perhaps no coincidence that the vicious and immoral war in Ukraine is marked one full year this week.

Both the independence of Estonia and tragedy of Ukraine’s ongoing struggle was not lost on anyone. H.E. Mrs Kunka also thanked Ireland for valued empathy and support. The afternoon was a proper ambassadorial assembly! I met Ambassadors from Columbia (H.E. Patricia Cortez), the Kingdom of Morocco (H.E. Laheen Mahraoui), Republic of Croatia (H.E. Davor Vidis), Moldova, United Arab Emirates (H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Kindi), Kenya, Japan, Algeria (H.E. Mohamed Belaoura) and Ukraine. Irish Senators and prominent politicians were also represented. Wonderful music was provided by renowned uilleann piper, Neil Mulligan from the Cobblestone (whose music gives wings to the soul!) and Kart Johanson from Estonia formed a musical alliance with the two cultures finding common ground in the ‘sean nos’ tradition. Kart can even play Irish jigs like the best of them! Such accomplished musicians demonstrated musical genres enjoying strong links together. Diplomacy ruled yesterday in Dublin to celebrate Estonia’s 105th anniversary of independence. It was an amazing diplomatic incident!  In my less than fluent Estonian: HEAD VABARIIGI AASTAPAEVA – Happy Independence Day!