Today 26 November, or Citizen’s Day, the Foreign Ministry presents letters of appreciation to citizen diplomats and NGOs for their significant contribution to advancing Estonian language, culture and business in the world.
“Today, we would like to thank citizen diplomats across the world – the people who have made it their mission to preserve Estonian cultural identity and raise Estonia’s profile. For a small country, the contribution of citizen diplomats is crucial – together we are increasing Estonia’s size on the world map,” Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is issuing letters of appreciation for citizen diplomacy on Citizen’s Day for the eleventh time this year. The letter 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:
Rahvuslik Kontakt (National Contact) magazine – for preserving and raising awareness about Estonian culture, language and identity in Sweden
Alexander Shklyaruk – for the continued promotion of Estonian art in Russia
Alexey Kornilov – for the promotion of Estonian art in Belarus
Alexey Kruglov – for the continued promotion of Estonian jazz in Russia
Anette Nordvall – for advancing the economic relations and technology cooperation between Estonia and Sweden
Angelika Sokolova – for preserving Estonian cultural identity and advancing Estonian dance culture in Belgium
Anne Helene Gjelstad – for the promotion of Estonia’s cultural heritage as well as the exciting and unique life of Kihnu and Manilaid in Norway and the world
Eva Goutt-Liiv – for her long and notable efforts towards preserving Estonian cultural identity and Estonian culture in France
Hille Hanso – for her continued work in developing Estonian-Turkish relations
Jüri Rebane – for his commitment to preserving Estonian cultural identity and promoting Estonian culture in Russia
Kadri Merimaa – for her notable commitment to teaching Estonian music and inspiring children to become active in music in the Netherlands
Kaido Janke – for preserving Estonian song culture in Belgium
Kaido Kroon – for preserving Estonian cultural identity and dance culture in Belgium
Karmen Ong-Korcek – for promoting Estonian language and culture in Prague
Katre Grigorjeva – for her commitment to preserving Estonian cultural identity and teaching Estonian in Saint Petersburg
Kristi Jagodin – for her long commitment to advancing Estonian choral music culture in the United Kingdom
Larissa Mukovskaya – for launching the academic study of Estonian at the Saint Petersburg State University and her commitment to preserving and teaching Estonian language and culture in Russia
Linde Fröhlich – for the consistent promotion of Estonian cinema at the Nordic Film Days Lübeck
Estonian School in Luxembourg – for preserving Estonian language and spirit in Luxembourg
Malle Saarilehto – for her long and active work to promote Estonian culture and language and for organising joint activities for Estophiles
Mari-Liis Jõõts – for preserving Estonian cultural identity and advancing Estonian dance culture in Belgium
Mari-Liis Kivioja – for preserving Estonian language and spirit in Luxembourg
Marje Remmet – for her long commitment to advancing Estonian folk dance culture in the United Kingdom
Maurice Goutt-Liiv – for his notable initiative in the Estonian community in France during and after the restoration of Estonia’s independence
Meelik Mallene – for preserving Estonian cultural identity and Estonian culture in Luxembourg
Mimi Daitz – for the continued promotion of works by Veljo Tormis and Estonian composers in the United States
Muza Pankratova – for the continued promotion of Estonian art in Russia
Nava Raj Dahal – for advancing bilateral relations between Estonia and Nepal and supporting Estonian citizens during the COVID-19 crisis
Nelli Melts – for translating Estonian literature and the continued promotion of Estonian literary culture in Belarus
Nikolay Bogaychuk – for the continued promotion of Estonian jazz in Russia
Peter Rieder – for developing the cultural relations between Estonia and Austria and promoting Estonian art in Austria
Piret Pedas – for promoting Estonian language and culture in Prague
Pirjo Ranki – for her commitment to advancing cultural relations between Estonia and Finland and cooperation in the field of folk music
Pravin Goenka – for promoting Estonia’s business and digital society and advancing cultural ties in India
Folk dance group Iiris – for promoting Estonian cultural identity and Estonian folk culture in Ireland
Tiit Pruuli – for organising the Antarktika 200 project in cooperation with Estonia's foreign representations, honorary consuls and communities
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]