“This recognition of our own people and our supporters abroad serves as affirmation of the values on which Estonia is built and which it deems important,” wrote President Alar Karis in the preface to his resolution on the awarding of the decorations. “Openness and democracy, wisdom and thoughtfulness, determination and enterprise, perseverance and even bravery: these are the principles that unite this year’s recipients.”
The Order of the National Coat of Arms, 1st Class is awarded to poet, publisher, scholar and emissary of Estonia’s intellectual history Hando Runnel and to internationally renowned molecular biologist, scholar and promoter of Estonian science Richard Villems. The Order of the White Star, 2nd Class is awarded to composer, pianist, educator and cross-generational unifier Olav Ehala.
The Order of the National Coat of Arms, 2nd Class is awarded to former head of government Kaja Kallas for her championing of statehood. The Order of the National Coat of Arms, 3rd Class is awarded to long-serving State Secretary Taimar Peterkop and to former European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.
Estonia recognises its leading scientists and researchers for their significant contribution to creating a smart, knowledge-based society. Decorations are awarded to University of Tartu professor of mathematical statistics, promoter of biostatistics and scholar Krista Fischer; dedicated promoter of IT education and professor in the Faculty of Computer Science at Tallinn University of Technology Gert Jervan; highly experienced Estonian University of Life Sciences lecturer, promoter of veterinary medicine and volunteer aid worker in Ukraine Piret Kalmus; and biotechnologist and Tallinn University of Technology lecturer Petri-Jaan Lahtvee.
Also being recognised are promoter of IT education and Tallinn University of Technology lecturer Birgy Lorenz; archaeozoologist and Tallinn University and University of Tartu lecturer Lembi Lõugas; ecologist and Vice Rector for Research at the University of Tartu Mari Moora; zoologist, animal ecologist and Professor Emeritus of the University of Tartu Raivo Mänd; promoter of soil science Priit Penu; and long-time promoter of maritime education, master mariner and renowned TalTech Maritime Academy lecturer Rein Raudsalu.
Further decorations are being awarded to economist and Professor Emeritus of the University of Tartu Tiiu Paas; populariser of earth sciences, geographer and University of Tartu lecturer Taavi Pae; promoter of primary education and Tallinn University lecturer Maire Tuul; and sociologist and professor of communication studies at the University of Tartu Triin Vihalemm.
Ahead of Independence Day, Estonia will also be recognising music teachers, conductors and others involved in creating music. State decorations will be awarded to developer and promoter of Estonian jazz music and musician Siim Aimla; long-serving music educator and choir conductor Maie Kala; acclaimed sound engineers Teet Kehlmann and Tanel Klesment; choir conductor and Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre lecturer Triin Koch; music teacher and promoter of brass music in Põltsamaa Urmas Mägi; singing teacher, children’s songwriter and vocal pedagogue at the Viljandi Culture Academy of the University of Tartu Hedi-Kai Pai; promoter of musical life, long-serving organiser of the Viru Folk Festival and one of the initiators of the Green Bike Ride Peep Veedla; folk musician and folk singing and cultural heritage expert and researcher Lauri Õunapuu; anthropologist and musician Marko Veisson; and musician Ramo Teder.
Estonia expresses its gratitude to folk dance leader Erika Põlendik, who for decades has contributed with great dedication to the organisation of dance festivals and the teaching of folk dance; and to dance instructor Kadri Tiis, whose long-standing work has helped to preserve and develop Estonian dance culture and traditions.
The state is also recognising the promotion of cinema and the performing arts. Decorations are being awarded to documentary maker and ‘Night University’ radio show presenter and editor Jaan Tootsen; director, actor and Academy of Music and Theatre lecturer Anne Türnpu; and actor and director Priit Võigemast.
Estonia recognises promoters of architecture and the visual arts. Receiving decorations will be artist Kaarel Kurismaa, one of Estonia’s earliest exponents of kinetic art; renowned interior architect and promoter and thinker in the field of interior architecture in Estonian cultural space Pille Lausmäe-Lõoke; graphic artist and acclaimed postage stamp and bookplate designer Lembit Lõhmus; illustrator, graphic designer and Vice Rector of the Estonian Academy of Arts Anne Pikkov; painter Mari Roosvalt; artist and Estonian Academy of Arts lecturer Tõnis Saadoja; and graphic artist Evi Viires (Tihemets).
Decorations are also being awarded to writer and semiotician Valdur Mikita; literary scholar and translator Kersti Unt; and children’s author, teacher, translator and literary scholar Jaanus Vaiksoo.
In this Year of the Estonian Book, state decorations are being awarded to Roosna-Alliku librarian Viktoria Saarsalu, who has transformed the library into a centre of cultural life in her area; and Karksi-Nuia librarian and promoter of cultural life Mare Torim.
Others being decorated are ardent promoter of nature education, respected moss expert and mushroom exhibition organiser Loore Ehrlich; community leader, promoter of cultural life in Tartu County and custodian of Kodavere heritage Reet Kruup; folklorist and religious scholar Aado Lintrop; long-serving Viljandi museum director and researcher and custodian of the history of the War of Independence Jaak Pihlak; promoter of Estonian cultural heritage Margit Siim, who has contributed to significant Estonian cultural phenomena being added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage; custodian of the history of Rapla County Rait Talvoja; promoter of cultural life in Jõgeva County Arne Tegelmann; and art historian and Director of Development of the Art Museum of Estonia Kersti Tiik.
Estonia is indebted to those who, in an increasingly tense security situation, have been unswerving in their efforts to enhance the country’s defence capabilities. The Order of the Cross of the Eagle is awarded to the Deputy Commandant of the Estonian Military Academy, Colonel Raul Järviste; the Commander of the Artillery Battalion overseeing the development of combat capability, Lieutenant Colonel Allan Raidma; Defence League Chief of Staff, Colonel Eero Rebo; and for her promotion of logistics, Captain Jaana Ukkur.
In the field of internal security, decorations are being awarded to long-serving police financial analyst Marje Kapp; the first head of the special unit of Estonia’s revived police forces Henn Kask; long-time prefect, police colonel Vallo Koppel; highly respected and experienced police officers Ago Leis and Meelis Saarepuu; and Internal Security Service officials Danel Kolk and Andrus Männik.
Rescue officials receiving recognition are the head of the Prevention Office at the Eastern Regional Rescue Service Jaak Kirsipuu, under whose aegis a safety camp is organised in Ida-Viru County for children who speak Estonian, Russian and Ukrainian; the head of the Northern Regional Rescue Service and promoter of civic defence in Harju County Marko Rüü; and Võru County volunteer rescuer and assistant police officer Andres Pindis.
Estonia recognises its allies, whose contributions have enhanced security cooperation and supported the reinforcement of defence capabilities on NATO’s eastern flank. Decorations are being awarded to NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Christopher Gerard Cavoli; promoter of US-Estonian security cooperation, Lieutenant General John S. Kolasheski; promoter of Lithuanian-Estonian security cooperation, Colonel Elegijus Paulavičius; long-standing promoter of UK-Estonian security cooperation, General Patrick Sanders; and promoter of NATO collective defence in the Baltic States, General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart.
Estonia expresses its gratitude to those in the medical profession. Receiving state decorations will be the head of the Department of Internal Diseases at Pärnu Hospital, neurologist Katrin Antsov; the head of the endocrinology service at Tallinn Children’s Hospital, paediatric endocrinologist Ülle Einberg; North Estonia Medical Centre oncologist Anneli Elme; clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Tartu Child Support Centre and the Elite private clinic Lemme Haldre; South-Estonian Hospital paediatrician Ruth Kipper; Ida-Viru Central Hospital doctor of stomatology and senior physician Meedi Lehtla; East Tallinn Central Hospital gynaecologist and chief physician Reeli Saaron; North Estonia Medical Centre orthopaedic specialist and senior physician Ain Seimar; and Tartu University Hospital paediatric gastroenterologist and lecturer Oivi Uibo.
Nurses receiving recognition are Ida-Viru Central Hospital mental health nurse Eda Rembel; the head of clinical nursing at North Estonia Medical Centre, Lenne Rätsep; and Tartu University Hospital Psychiatry Clinic chief nurse Reet Tohvre.
Further decorations are being awarded to long-serving pharmacist and pharmacy service provider on Estonia’s western islands Valve Raide; coordinator of the ‘Smarter Internet Use’ project of the Estonian Union for Child Welfare and promoter of children’s rights Malle Hallimäe; and audio book editor and promoter of the Estonian Library for the Blind Anni Oraveer.
The Order of the Estonian Red Cross is being awarded to volunteer blood donors Eduard Andrus, Kaido Männi, Indrek Sülla and Andrus Varatu.
Estonia extends its thanks to educators who are committed to teaching the young and broadening their worldview. Decorations are being awarded to Tallinn Secondary Science School director and promoter of educational life Ene Saar; long-standing teacher of Estonian language and literature in Viljandi and respected promoter of the Viljandi school theatre Reet Sinimaa; long-serving teacher of Estonian language, literature and cultural history in Harju County Sirje Kuurberg; Jänesselja Kindergarten director and promoter of folk culture Aina Alunurm; Kõrveküla Basic School director, teacher and custodian of local history in Tartu County Andres Jõgar; and teacher of Estonian language and culture in Finland Tiina Maripuu.
Ahead of Independence Day, Estonia will also be showing its gratitude to its friends and those promoting the country, its language and its culture abroad. For their dedicated contributions, state decorations are being presented to architect and custodian of all things Estonian in North America Tõnu Altosaar; fellow custodian in the United States Kristi Vuht Allpere; and Estonia’s honorary consul in Brazil, Jüri Saukas, for showcasing Estonia and assisting Estonian citizens.
In recognition of their close cooperation and support of Estonia, decorations are also being awarded to Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, the head of state of Iceland from 2018-2024 and a promoter of Icelandic-Estonian cooperation; and Antony J. Blinken, the former Secretary of State of the United States of America, for his promotion of US-Estonian security cooperation. Others being recognised are Heli-Kristy Ilinsky, who established a scholarship in support of young Estonian neurologists; and American journalist Michael Weiss.
Ahead of Independence Day, recognition is also being given to those who promote local life and the third sector in Estonia. Decorations are being awarded to promoter of choral singing on Saaremaa Tiit Aavik; custodian of the history of Vaivara parish Meedy Hiielo; promoter of church life and researcher of Estonian Catholicism Marge Paas;and the leader of the Randivälja village community in Tori municipality Mart Ruumet.
Further recipients are promoter of village life in Arula, active member of the Defence League and owner of a tourist farm in Valga County Voldemar Tasa; promoter of local life and member of the management board of Võru County Development Centre Tiit Toots; and Western Harju Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia provost and Lambertus congregation pastor Jüri Vallsalu, who promotes community activities in Hageri parish.
Decorations are also being awarded to Supreme Court judge Nele Siitam; Tallinn Circuit Court judge Villem Lapimaa; and long-serving clerk of Harju County Court Ülle Karna.
The state is furthermore recognising diplomat Veikko Kala; political scientist and foreign and security policy thinker Kristi Raik; researcher into the condition of the Gulf of Finland and long-standing contributor to international environmental cooperation Siiri Kerge; and promoter of defence cooperation and head of the NATO and EU Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence Kalle Kirss.
State decorations are also being awarded to the organiser of the Estonian National Defence Course Madis Mikko; the head of the Border Guard and Migration Policy Department of the Ministry of the Interior Janek Mägi; cyber-security promoter and Information System Authority expert Andres Sikk; and civil servants Janek Järva and Maili Mark.
The state is also awarding promoter of nature conservation and environmental education Asta Tuusti; long-serving Government Office employee Heili Tõnisson and its insignia adviser Gert Uiboaed; and the head of the Hydrographic Department at the Estonian Transport Administration and maritime safety promoter Peeter Väling.
Estonia is grateful to its entrepreneurs. Decorations are being awarded to the president of the Estonian Association of Bakeries and promoter of the bread and baking industry Uno Kaldmäe; Otepää meat-processing company Edgar founder, owner and long-time manager Maie Niit; food industry promoter and owner and chairman of the supervisory board of Balsnack International Holding Elmar Rusing; defence industry promoter and founder of DefSecIntel Jaanus Tamm; and mechanical engineering industry promoter and founder of the metal-processing companies Estanc AS and Tammer OÜ Raigo Tammo.
In the field of agriculture, decorations are being awarded to respected crop production adviser Tiiu Annuk; Pistimäe farm owner and promoter of rural life in Võru County Andres Jaaska; and Põlva County agricultural entrepreneur Raivo Musting.
Further decorations are being awarded to shipping promoter Peeter Kangro from Tallink; long-serving BLRT Masinaehitus OÜ mechanic Uku Lukme; and State Forest Management Centre forester Ilmar Paal, who has been cultivating and caring for an untold number of plants on more than 100,000 hectares of land for decades.
The athletes and promoters of sports receiving recognition are Palivere Tourism and Health Sports Centre board member Mati Kallemets; chess player and teacher Tatjana Fomina; basketball coach Jaanus Levkoi; Estonian ice hockey promoter Rauno Parras; long-time promoter and custodian of Hiiumaa sporting life Lembit Sauer; long-distance runner and promoter of sports in Ida-Viru County Enn Sellik, who still holds the Estonian 5000 m and 10,000 m records; and Jõulumäe Recreational Sports Centre founder and promoter of sports in Pärnu County Enn Tasalain.
On the eve of Independence Day, Estonia recognises journalists whose words, images and creativity have enriched our media space. Decorations are being awarded to culture journalist and ‘Plekktrumm’ presenter Joonas Hellerma; ‘Vooremaa’ editor-in-chief and promoter of sports history Tiit Lääne; editor-in-chief of the Russian-language editions of the ‘Postimees’ newspaper Sergei Metlev; sports journalist and promoter of sport in Rapla County Donatas Narmont; ETV sports journalist and promoter of sports activities for youngsters Anu Säärits; promoter of radio journalism in Järva County Mati Palmet; Kuku Radio journalist Timo Tarve; ‘Eesti Ekspress’ investigative journalist Sulev Vedler; and nature journalist and writer Kristel Vilbaste.
The President of the Republic will be presenting the national decorations at the Tallinn Music and Ballet School (MUBA) on 22 February. The ceremony will be broadcast by the Estonian national broadcaster ERR on 24 February.
