ERR channels to mark Estonia’s restored independence with special programming

ERR will broadcast special programming on August 20 to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence, with live events shown on television, online and radio from early morning until late evening.

The day’s events will be broadcast live on ERR television channels and the ERR website, while the radio stations will offer special music and programmes about Estonia, ERR reported.

Live broadcasts on August 20

At 6.55 a.m., ETV, ETV+, the ERR website and ETV2 in Estonian sign language will show the raising of the Restoration of Independence Day flag at the Pikk Hermann tower. Speeches and songs will recall the decisions that restored Estonia’s independence. Astrid Kannel will host the broadcast.

At noon, ETV, ETV+ and the ERR website will broadcast the ceremonial session of the August 20 Club from the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament. Speakers will include President Alar Karis, August 20 Club President Ants Veetõusme, Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir, Latvian Parliament Speaker Daiga Mieriņa, Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas and Birutė Valionytė, president of Lithuania’s Signatories’ Club.

At 3 p.m., ETV, ETV+ and the ERR website will show the Restoration of Independence Day concert, titled Voice of the past. Sound of the future. Sadu, Noep, Puuluup, EiK, Duo Ruut and Sander Mölder will perform contemporary music from independent Estonia. Astrid Kannel will host.

At 6 p.m., ETV and the ERR website will broadcast the president’s reception at the Rose Garden. The broadcast will continue at 7.15 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. ETV2 will show President Karis’s speech in Estonian sign language at 7.30 p.m., while ETV+ will broadcast the speech at 8.10 p.m.

President Alar Karis and his wife will host guests at the Rose Garden to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Republic of Estonia. The event will include a celebration dedicated to Estonia and President Karis’s final Independence Day speech of his term. Mirko Ojakivi, Heleri All and Juhan Kilumets will host.

Films on August 20

ETV+ will show Joosep Matjus’s nature documentary Land sculpted by the winds at 7.30 a.m. The film presents Estonia’s wild nature, including varied landscapes, wild animals and thousands of migrating birds.

ETV will show the documentary Director of the parliament at 10.45 a.m. The film focuses on Ülo Nugis, who played a significant role in restoring Estonia’s independence and chaired the Supreme Council during the decisive days of August. The film was directed by Toomas Lepp and written by Hannes Rumm, who interviewed nearly 30 people about Nugis.

At 12.55 p.m., ETV will show the television film August 1991, a fictional documentary drama that follows the events of three days in August 1991 with hour by hour precision. The film was written and directed by Ilmar Raag and stars Tõnu Oja, Hilje Murel, Tanel Ingi, Hendrik Toompere, Andres Mähar, Peeter Tammearu and Rain Simmul.

ETV2 will show the documentary portrait Rein Taagepera: Estonia in two measures at 2 p.m. The film examines Taagepera’s life and work, with particular attention to his political struggle during his years in exile, his later return to Estonia and his academic work in his native city of Tartu. It was directed by Peeter Simm and written by Trivimi Velliste.

ETV+ will show the feature film Truth and justice at 9.10 p.m. Made for the centenary of Estonia, the film is based on the first part of A. H. Tammsaare’s novel of the same name. It was written and directed by Tanel Toom and stars Priit Loog, Priit Võigemast, Maiken Pius and Ester Kuntu.

At 11.15 p.m., ETV will show O2, a spy thriller about an Estonian intelligence officer who must expose a double agent working for Soviet Russia. The film was directed by Margus Paju.