Speaking at the ‘Estonia is Grateful’ ceremony at the Estonian National Museum, President Alar Karis remarked that all 151 of this year’s recipients of state decorations have one thing in common: their dedication to their work and communities, serving Estonia in the broadest and brightest sense of the word.
“For the third time now in signing my decision to award state decorations I felt somewhat discomfited, and the reason for this is simple: there are undoubtedly tens of thousands of people living and working in Estonia who are worthy of the highest form of recognition the nation can give them,” he said. “Unfortunately, we remain unaware of a great many of them, because 1.3 million is a large number in a sparsely populated country, and most tend to go unnoticed.”
The head of state described the honourees as everyday people leading everyday lives, quoting textile artist and Order of the White Star recipient Anu Raud upon being voted the most influential figure in the local community by the people of Viljandi County. “That expression says so much in so few words,” he said. “It embraces constancy, industriousness, thoughtfulness and reflection, a certain tenacity, good conscience, trustworthiness, consideration for others, a degree of eloquence and fine thinking.”
President Karis reminded the audience of the tenets of the Estonian constitution, stating, “Our nation is one based in freedom, law and justice. The document stands in defence of peace within and beyond our borders and is designed to ensure the preservation of our nation, its language and its culture over time. Every one of you has made your own remarkable contribution to Estonia being the kind of country described by those who drafted that constitution. You embody the ideals and the spirit that make Estonia Estonia. My thanks go out to you and also to your loved ones, whose help, support and understanding have in no small part facilitated your achievements.”
