Today, 26 November, or Citizen’s Day, the Foreign Ministry presents certificates of honour to citizen diplomats and NGOs to recognise their significant contribution to advancing Estonian language, culture and business in the world.
“The Estonians and friends of Estonia who have made it their mission to preserve Estonian cultural identity in their country of residence help increase the greatness and power of our country beyond its geographical size. On this Citizen’s Day, I would like to thank all of these dedicated and enthusiastic citizen diplomats – your contribution is invaluable for Estonia,” Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said.
The Foreign Ministry issues certificates of honour for citizen diplomacy on Citizen’s Day for the tenth time. The certificate 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, thus contributing to enhancing Estonia’s profile in their country of residence on a voluntary basis.
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:
Estonian School in Vienna – for its important contribution to teaching Estonian language and culture, and supporting the cohesion of the Estonian community in Austria
Folk dance group Tuuletütred – for advancing Estonian cultural identity and introducing Estonian folk culture in the Netherlands
Sunil Khanna – for his dedicated work towards developing Estonian-Indian relations
Pramod Bhasin – for his important contribution to introducing Estonian business culture in India
Bruno Conte – for introducing e-residency as well as Estonian entrepreneurship and digital society in Italy
Else-Jannike Kuum – for advancing cultural relations between Estonia and Norway and introducing Estonia in Norway
Artur Kuczmowski – for his remarkable work in presenting the business environment and digital society of Estonia in Poland
Online publication Przegląd Bałtycki – for its active work in introducing Estonia in Poland
Kertu Rein – for preserving and advancing Estonian singing culture in France
Hain Rebas – for preserving Estonian cultural identity and introducing Estonian history and culture in Sweden
Sonny Aswani – for his important contribution to introducing Estonia in Singapore and advancing relations
ESTO 2019 Helsinki Committee – for the successful organisation of the ESTO 2019 events in Helsinki and preserving Estonian cultural identity
Kirsi Äyräs – for her devoted work in advancing Estonian-Finnish relations and introducing Estonian culture in the Turku region
Katrin Legrain – for introducing Estonia and preserving Estonian cultural identity in the United Kingdom
Kristy Sheldon – for organising Estonian camps for children, educating young people and preserving Estonian cultural identity in the United Kingdom
Neil Taylor – for his dedicated work in introducing Estonian history and culture in the United Kingdom
Milton and Elizabeth Davis – for advancing relations between Estonia and Maryland in the United States
Oliver Manglus – for his dedicated work in introducing Estonian culture and preserving Estonian cultural identity in Belarus
Olga Lyubashkina – for advancing Estonian-Belorussian cultural relations and her long-standing work in presenting Estonian art in Belarus
Deniss Golubev – for his long-standing work in introducing Estonian music in Russia
Jelizaveta Miroshnikova – for her long-standing work in introducing Estonian music in Russia
Maksim Pavlov – for his long-standing work in introducing Estonian cinema in Russia
Olga Ulybysheva – for her long-standing work in introducing Estonian cinema in Russia
Eve Mutso – for introducing Estonian dance in the United Kingdom
Additional information:
Britta Tarvis
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
+372 637 7627 / +372 5194 7045
