Video: Six European heads of state arrived in Tartu to celebrate Estonia`s 100th anniversary

 

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelašvili, President of Iceland Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis, President of Poland Andrzej Duda and President of Finland Sauli Niinistö participated in the Estonia 100 celebration in Tartu, which culminates with the opening of the XVIII student song- and dancefestival Gaudeamus. 

”It is especially festive and symbolic that we can celebrate our country`s birhday with the countries who understand what it means to hope and act to gain the right to determine our own destiny,” said President Kaljulaid. ”Singing and dancing is an essential part of the culture of every country. As the tradition of student song festivals was born in Estonia also our guests were invited especially for that occasion,” the Estonian head of state added.   

President Kaljulaid and other heads of state met the Mayor of Tartu, Urmas Klaas in the Town Hall of Tartu. They also visited the University of Tartu (UT) and met the Acting Rector of the UT Professor Tõnu Lehtsaar, visited the science center Ahhaa and also Estonian National Museum. Heads of state also attended a dinner hosted by President Kaljulaid at the White Hall of the Museum of Tartu University and the day culminated with the opening ceremony of Gaudeamus with fire, light and music at the banks of the river Emajõgi in the center of Tartu. 

Baltic student festival Gaudeamus takes place alternately in every four years in one of the Baltic states. This year Gaudeamus took place in Tartu from 22–24 of June and the best student choirs, dancers and musicians from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania attended, up to 4000 people.