On 24 February, visitors to the Eesti Pank museum can enjoy an Independence Day programme with a special performance by the folk dance group Sõleke from Tallinn’s hobby school Kullo. Everyone is welcome to take part in a QR‑code treasure hunt and make their own little Estonian flag for the Independence Day parade. Children can have their faces painted in the colours of the Estonian flag. The museum and the museum shop are open from 08.00 to 12.00, and there is no charge for the programme.

In keeping with tradition, the Eesti Pank museum opens its doors to the public on 24 February, as having its own currency and an independent central bank has long been a symbol of Estonia’s economic and national sovereignty.

The dance group Sõleke from the hobby school Kullo takes the stage at 11.00. Sõleke is the largest folk dance group for children and young people in Estonia and is celebrating its 50th season this year. Over the decades, dozens of professional dancers, choreographers, directors, and dance educators have sprung from Sõleke. The group has nearly 300 dancers in total. A dozen dance pairs of various ages will delight the audience at the Eesti Pank museum family event. The dancers are coached by dance instructors Helena-Mariana Reimann, Liina Eero and Reelike Tükk from Kullo.

At sunrise, 7.33, a plaque inscribed with the text of the Estonian Declaration of Independence will be placed on the building at Estonia pst 13, which once housed the first government of the Republic of Estonia and is today home to Eesti Pank. It was in this building that the Estonian Salvation Committee worked – making the decision to proclaim the Republic of Estonia, drafting the first legal acts, and appointing the Provisional Government and its 13 members. The main author of the text for the Declaration of Independence was Juhan Kukk, minister of finance as part of the Provisional Government, later State Elder, and Governor of Eesti Pank. The plaque will be removed at sunset at 17.37.

The first visitors to the Eesti Pank museum in the morning, who are traditionally from among those who have been to see the flag raised on Toompea, will be offered hot tea at the museum starting from 8.00. Activities for the whole family begin at 8.30: a workshop for making Estonian flags, and a QR-code treasure hunt. Everyone who completes the treasure hunt with the correct answers has a chance to win prizes at 10.00 and 11.30. The talented Ursula Otsing is ready to paint tricolours on the visitors’ faces and accordion player Hindrek Vellamäe helps to lift the mood.

Entrance to the museum and all the activities are free of charge.

Between 8.00 and 12.00, visitors are welcome to browse the Eesti Pank museum shop, which also has the new silver coin dedicated to the Milano Cortina XXV Winter Olympic Games for sale.

For further information:
Evelin Jürisson
Communications officer
Eesti Pank
+372 668 0965
Press enquiries: [email protected]