Students raise Estonian flag at Pikk Hermann tower for Resistance Day

Students from Tallinn 21st School raised Estonia’s blue, black and white flag at sunrise on Tuesday at the Pikk Hermann tower, marking Resistance Day, ERR reported. The school’s flag detail has taken part in the ceremony for the 13th time.

Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar met the students in the morning and introduced them to the parliament’s historic building after the ceremony.

Hussar said the day was important not only for remembering the past but also for creating a connection with younger generations.

“Estonia’s freedom and statehood have survived thanks to people who did not abandon their principles during difficult times,” Hussar said. “I am pleased that today’s school students are also helping to carry this story forward by raising the national flag in the same place where it flew during the days of Otto Tief’s government in September 1944.”

The Tallinn 21st School flag detail is a student organisation that has operated since 1997. Its volunteers present, guard and protect the school flag and, when necessary, the national flag in accordance with Estonia’s Flag Act.

Events held during the day included commemorations of resistance leaders, a conference, a memorial service for former heads of state, and the traditional procession and rally of academic organisations.

Resistance to the Soviet occupying power in Estonia began on September 22, 1944, along with the struggle for a free and democratic Estonia. The resistance included armed opposition by forest brothers and Finnish boys, efforts to restore constitutional state power, the work of the government in exile, underground organisation by school students, protests throughout the occupation and the preservation of Estonian ideals and values.

According to the article, resistance in its various forms continued until the restoration of Estonia’s independence in 1991.