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President Ilves addressed the recipients of decorations: you are visible and stand in the spotlight through your professional work or as a supporter of your community

23.02.2016

Today, on the eve of Independence Day, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves handed over 99 decorations to people who are being acknowledged for the services they have provided to Estonia.

Our country is small by population and the contribution of everyone is especially important and very much visible, stated President Ilves at the official presentation of the decorations in the Russian Theatre, Tallinn.

He echoed the sentiments of one of this year's recipients of the decorations in describing with the flair of an architect that if a decoration were a house, it would definitely be made of glass from top to bottom: extremely transparent, a bit overexposed and one stairway would lead down to the basement of the house and into a warm and cosy room.

"For me, however, this description matches the recipients of the decorations. Because this is exactly how we could describe those who are being thanked and acknowledged by Estonia on the eve of Independence Day," said the Head of State. "You are all visible and stand in the spotlight, either through your professional work or as a supporter of your community. There are also more faraway friends and supporters of Estonia, whose acts have made Estonia more visible, audible, safer and more secure."

"You have put your soul into your work and the efforts you have made for your home and Estonia in general will help propel us forward. These are efforts that drive Estonia onwards. You will make our country and each and every one of us much bigger. Stronger, better," said President Ilves.

"One of you in this short description has combined all the caring and ability to notice that is common for all of you: this is the wish and ability to give your time to others," emphasised the Head of State.

He also thanked the families and friends of the recipients of the decorations for their steadfast support: "Understanding that your receive from your next of kin is the support that will help you to give more than is required by your everyday job description or some other regular activity."

The resolution of the President of the Republic concerning the awarding of the decorations of the Republic of Estonia on the eve of Independence Day: https://www.president.ee/et/ametitegevus/otsused/11990-739-riiklike-autasude-andmine/index.html

Press release on the recipients of the decorations: https://president.ee/en/media/press-releases/11991-estonia-to-acknowledged-99-people-with-national-decorations-on-the-eve-of-independence-day/index.html

Office of the President
Public Relations Department