I am pleased to pass greetings to you from the Washington Estonian Society for the 106th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.
It is difficult for me to imagine how people felt back in February 1918, but I do have first-hand experience with re-independence in 1991. It was a time for mixed emotions of joy, celebration, uncertainty, and fear. I went to Eesti to help and spent many months in Tallinn working with government officials and business leaders. People were excited about re-independence, but they worried about the unknowns. The currency was still the Russian Ruble which had collapsed and was almost worthless. Savings had disappeared overnight. The individuals on Soviet pensions were worried about their future. And, of grave concern were the Russian military personnel who in great numbers remained in Eesti. How would the new government get them to leave and when would that occur? Government officials and those in the business community were often perplexed by their newfound freedoms. It was literally about how to make informed decisions. They always had been told what to do by those in Moscow and these lines of communication had ceased to function.
It is sometimes difficult to remember how Eesti’s second period of independence began when compared to conditions today. Eesti arguably is the best success story of all the countries that were part of the old Soviet Union. We are a technological marvel, have world-class cyber security, are an active member of the European Union, and per capita are leaders in NATO contributions and supporters of Ukraine. Capitalism is thriving and Estonian businesses are often best-in-class performers. From its turbulent beginnings in 1991 to where Eesti is today has to be considered a modern miracle. The challenges of 1991 were overcome not by luck, but by the hard work and deliberate planning of our countrymen. Thankfully Estonians are smart, industrious, perseverant, and hard-working. Our Singing Revolution has allowed Eesti to blossom into what it is today. I could not be prouder and wish everyone a joyous celebration.
Parimate soovidega / Best Wishes,
Alan Tomson
President, Washington Estonian Society
