"We would like to thank all the citizen diplomats across the world, that is, the people who have made it their mission to preserve Estonian culture and raise Estonia’s profile. This year has been extremely difficult and the contribution of citizen diplomats is crucial – together we are extending Estonia’s size on the world map and continuing to offer Ukraine comprehensive support until it has won the war," Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is issuing letters of appreciation for citizen diplomacy for the thirteenth time. 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 on a voluntary basis, thus contributing to raising Estonia’s profile in their country of residence.
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.
Sirje Rivers – for organising the XXVIII Estonian Days in Australia in April 2022
Maryland Estonia Exchange Council – for its activities in promoting cooperation and friendship between Estonia and Maryland
Thomas Beyard – for the long-term and consistent promotion of relations between the city of Westminster, Maryland and the town of Paide
Estonian Cultural Society in Chicago – for its active work in bringing together the Estonian community in Chicago, and preserving Estonian language and culture
Sirle Sööt – for her long-standing efforts to preserve Estonian cultural identity in Sweden, and for editing and publishing the Estonian-language magazine Rahvuslik Kontakt
Silver Tambur – for the consistent and sensitive management of the English-language publication Estonian World, bringing together Estonians and friends of Estonia in Estonia and beyond
Karin Aanja – for her dedicated work in publishing, editing and developing the Estonian-language newspaper Eesti Rada
Kärt Ulman – for her dedicated work in publishing, editing and developing the Vaba Eesti Sõna newspaper in the United States
Kai Kiilaspea – for her dedicated work in publishing, editing and developing the Estonian-language newspaper Eesti Elu in Canada
Rainer Sternfeld – for his dedicated work in creating and developing the Global Estonians podcast and exploring topics related to global Estonians
Galina Zaitseva – for preserving the Estonian tradition and culture of bread-making in Georgia for more than 30 years
Aira Paschke – for preserving the Estonian community and promoting Estonian culture in Germany
Eha Salla – for the founding and long-standing management of the Estonian School in Frankfurt and preserving Estonian language skills in Germany
Anu Schaper – for preserving the Estonian community and Estonian language in Germany
Kristiina Jessen – for promoting Estonian culture in Germany
Cornelius Hasselblatt – for his commitment to translating classic and contemporary Estonian literature into German
Maximilian Murmann – for his commitment to translating classic and contemporary Estonian literature into German
Estonian schools of Bologna and Milan – for preserving and promoting the Estonian language and spirit in Italy
The Estonian Cultural Heritage Society in Alberta – for preserving Estonian cultural identity and enthusiastically promoting Estonian culture in Alberta
Pär Nuder – for the long-term and extensive promotion of Estonian-Swedish cooperation
Ülle Priks – for contributing to Estonian cultural identity, for promoting Estonian culture and advising Estonians in the Turku city region in Finland
Arlo Tiits – for his long-term contribution to the sports and athletic life of Estonians in Finland
Tiina Ilsen – for her long-standing contribution to developing the Eastern Partnership policy at the Estonian Centre of Eastern Partnership
NGO Mondo – for their great contribution to helping Ukraine
NGO Estonian Refugee Council – for their great contribution to helping Ukraine
Ragnar Sass – for his great contribution to helping Ukraine
NGO Slava Ukraini – for their great contribution to helping Ukraine
Peter Kyhn – for his long-term commitment to advancing Estonian-Danish relations
Lakewood Estonian Association and the Estonian School in Lakewood – for their long-term activities in preserving and promoting Estonian culture in the United States
Estonian Cultural Foundation in the United States – for their long-term contribution to preserving and developing Estonian culture in the United States, and for organising the Estonian Cultural Days in New York through the decades
Airi Lauri – for her long-term contribution to preserving Estonian culture, developing joint activities for Estonians, and teaching Estonian history, culture and language in the village of Upper Suetuk in Russia
Renee Meriste – for his long-standing and active contribution to running the Los Angeles Estonian Society
Mai-Liis Bartling – for her long-standing and dedicated management of the San Francisco Estonian Society
The Western Coast team of the Vironia Fraternity – for their long-standing and committed contribution to preserving and advancing Estonian culture
Seattle Estonian Society – for successfully organising the West Coast Estonian Days in 2022
Krista Leppiko – for her consistent and excellent work in teaching Estonian children and inspiring joint activities in the Netherlands
Gili Haimovich – for her commitment to translating Estonian poetry into Hebrew and promoting it in Israel
Thomas Sarapuu – for preserving Estonian culture and for his remarkable contribution to the development of the Estonian House in Adelaide
Manfred Mletsin – for his active contribution to preserving Estonian culture in Northern Territory, Australia
Zoltán Lupták – for his long-standing contribution to presenting Estonia and preserving Estonian culture in Hungary
Linda Lipták – for her long-standing contribution to presenting Estonia and preserving Estonian culture in Hungary
Nóra Rácz – for promoting Estonian culture in Veszprém County and translating Estonian fiction and children’s literature into Hungarian
Liina Kuusik – for maintaining the unity of the Estonian community in Japan both online and offline
Jane Bakhoff – for her steadfast work in heading the Keelekindlus language club, and preserving Estonian language and culture in the United Kingdom
