Other events in Baltic States

On Tuesday, 90 years pass of concluding the Tartu Peace Treaty between Estonia and Russia, which ended the state of war between the two countries, established a state border between Estonia and Russia and Soviet Russia acknowledged Estonia’s independence, National Broadcasting/LETA reports.

The anniversary is celebrated widely everywhere in Estonia. In Tallinn, wreaths by government, the Defence Forces and Defence League will be laid at the Freedom Monument. Tallinn city government members attend a ceremony at the grave of Jaan Poska, the head of the Estonian delegation at the peace talks 90 years ago, at the City Cemetery.

In Tartu, there will be a number of events, exhibitions, openings, and ceremonies that will be attended by president Toomas Hendrik Ilves, government and Riigikogu members. Among other things, a Tartu Peace Treaty room will be opened which exhibits the original of the Tartu Peace Treaty and a monument to Jaan Poska will also be opened. The party culminates with a concert at the Vanemuine concert hall and reception organised by the Defence Forces Joint training Facilities.

On February 2, 1920, representatives of the Government of the Republic of Estonia and those of the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic’s council of People’s Commissars concluded a treaty in Tartu in which Russia recognised Estonia’s independence and statehood. The treaty also ended the War of Freedom that had lasted for 431 days and claimed over 5,000 lives from Estonia and her allies.