President Karis remembers victims of 1944 bombings

President Alar Karis lit a candle on Harju Street in Tallinn this evening in memory of the victims of the infamous World War II bombing raids on the city.

“In March 1944 the Soviet airforce reduced large parts of Narva, Tallinn and Tartu to ruins, and a number of other towns and cities around the country were also heavily hit,” he said. “In lighting this candle here tonight I am not only thinking about the evils and desolation of World War II, but also about the war of aggression being waged by Russia in Europe today. Once again bombs are falling, destroying the lives and homes of Ukrainian families. Evil is on the march once more.”

“I am also thinking about the fact that despite everything, Estonia has survived,” the head of state added. “We grieve our victims; we still feel the pain and sadness of their loss. But we also take pride in the fact that however much we may have been bent, we were never broken.”