“Estonia’s greatest wealth is our people. Today, I would like to thank the dedicated and inspiring people who are preserving Estonian cultural identity and raising Estonia’s profile across the world. During these momentous times in foreign policy and security, it is good to know that Estonia’s voice remains strong and we are standing on solid ground,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is issuing letters of appreciation for citizen diplomacy on Citizen’s Day for the fourteenth time. The letter is presented to individuals or non-governmental organisations who have made long and notable efforts to preserve Estonian language, culture and spirit, or promoted Estonia’s business environment, digital society and business culture on a voluntary basis, thus contributing to raising Estonia’s profile in their country of residence.
The Citizen’s Day is celebrated on 26 November because on this day in 1918, the Estonian Provincial Assembly issued its first regulation on Estonian citizenship. The aim of the Citizen’s Day is to raise awareness about the status of a citizen and increase civic pride.
The Foreign Ministry would like to thank and recognise the following individuals and non-governmental organisations:
Helena Faust – for raising awareness about science, and for advancing research cooperation between Estonia and Sweden
Piret Villo – for raising awareness about science, and for advancing research cooperation between Estonia and Sweden
Anders Norlin – for advancing the financial technology of Estonia and Sweden, and for boosting cooperation between startup communities
Hando Sutter – for his contribution to supporting Estonian companies and boosting economic cooperation, and for founding and managing the UAE-Estonia Business Council
Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Sweden and Rika Torm – for their long-standing contribution to economic relations between Estonia and Sweden
Yelena Lysenko – for preserving the historical documents and museum corner of the Petrovka Village, founded by Estonians, and for organising cultural events related to Estonia
Guntars Godiņš – for his great contribution to translating Estonian literature into Latvian, including compiling the collection Surrealism in Estonian Poetry
Ragnar Kond – for his long-standing, active and committed coverage of Latvian society and politics, and for his contribution to relations between Estonia and Latvia
Paul Põhi – the Director of the Tbilisi Hills Golf Club and the pillar of the Estonian community in Georgia, for promoting Estonian cultural identity and golf in Georgia
Piruza Harutyunyan – for promoting Estonia in Armenia through digital companies and for operating the informal Estonian embassy – the Muhu Leib bakery – in central Yerevan
Kersti Ala-Murr – for her great contribution to the mixed Estonian choir of Stavanger as an initiator, singer and musical pedagogue; and for organising the tour of the boys’ choir of the National Opera Estonia
Else Berit Eikeland – for her contribution to researching historical and cultural ties between Estonia and Norway
Mihkel Tombak – for bringing the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) mentorship programme of the University of Toronto to Estonia
Sten Tamkivi – for bringing the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) mentorship programme of the University of Toronto to Estonia
Estonian Archives in Australia – for its long-standing commitment to recording the history of Estonians in Australia
Naomi Cooper – for her long-standing dedicated work as the conductor of the Kooskõlas Choir of Estonians of Australia
Marissa Pikkat – for her long-standing commitment to managing the Sõrve children’s camp in Australia
David Pliska – for his commitment and long-standing efforts to raise Estonia’s profile in the Czech Republic
Estonian School in London – for its long-standing and notable work in teaching Estonian to the children of the Estonian community
Eva Piirimägi-Sadler – Chairperson of the Leicester Estonian House, for preserving and boosting Estonian cultural identity in the Midlands
Taimi Talboo – for her commitment and consistent contribution to preserving and boosting Estonian cultural identity in the United States, including as the head of the Estonian School in Washington and as the organiser of the Blue Hepatica Run
Peter Kopperman – for running the Washington Estonian Society and maintaining its vigour, including during the pandemic
Robert Agee – for his active, efficient and consistent contribution to business cooperation links between Estonia and Maryland
Peeter Saar – for his consistent and dedicated work in preserving and boosting Estonian cultural identity in the United States
Liisi Esse – for her committed and heartfelt work to preserve Estonian cultural identity on the West Coast of the United States, as well as for her contribution to boosting cooperation on education and research, raising awareness about Estonia’s history and culture, and increasing Estonia’s visibility
Maris Vaher – for preserving and developing Estonian culture, education and Estonian cultural identity in Finland
Toivo Utso – for his long-standing voluntary assistance to Estonian entrepreneurs in Finland
Maarika Remmert – for her long-standing contribution to preserving Estonian cultural identity in Germany
Liikika Mahanssur-Allev – for her long-standing support and help to the Estonian community in Hamburg
Janika Truumees – for preserving the Estonian community and promoting Estonian culture in Hamburg
Estonian School in Cologne – for its long-standing and notable work in teaching Estonian to the children of the Estonian community
Teet Kask – for his long-standing contribution to promoting Estonian culture, and for the international projects that bring cultures together through dance
Reet Kromel – for her dedicated and consistent work in promoting Estonian music and choral singing
The Neevo folk dance group of Estonians in Saint Petersburg – for its long-standing contribution to promoting Estonian culture, and for its joy of dancing
Monika Roose – for her long-standing work in running the Estonian School in Toronto
Reet Marten Sehr – for her brilliant and active work in organising events for Estonians in Canada
Eva Kalbus – for her creative and dedicated work as a theatre producer in raising awareness among young people about the history of Estonians in exile
Helica DeShaw – for her dedicated and consistent work in preserving and boosting Estonian cultural identity in the United States and the continued vigour of the Lakewood Estonian House
Merike Barborak – for her dedicated and consistent work in preserving and boosting Estonian cultural identity in the United States as the long-time teacher and head of the Estonian School in New York
Estonian Institute of Human Rights – for their cooperation in supporting the democratic forces of Belarus
The citizen diplomats and NGOs that are in Estonia will be thanked at a formal event on 15 December, where the Cultural Award of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also be presented.
Additional information
Communication Department
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