Yesterday was Estonia's 97th Celebration of their Independence. This I didn't quite understand, (not as to why they have an independence day, but the 97 years didn't add up) as in the limited reading I did coming here, I had learnt that Estonia regained it's Independence in 1991. And that is true - they now however, look at 1918 as their year or Independence, and between 1940 to '91, they were occupied from both the German's and the Russians, but still an independent state. I'm not sure if it was knowing this that jaded my viewing of the day, if it was the dark gloomy weather, or if this is just how it is done.
Missing the 07:30am flag raising ceremony, I walked the city for excitement. I was met by protestors, by serious faces and drunks twirling circles in the park. It was not celebration, but a day of affirming strength, military power, and for the protestors "non-russianness". Most locals seemed to just want for it to end so there were no longer these extra people in their way.
And who am I to judge. I didn't even know the date of Ireland's Independence Day (it's the 29th October). Instead we drink green pints once a year, and celebrate the existence of Leprechauns.
Life skill obtained: Can take photos while carrying a flaming torch in the middle of a moving crowd who speak a different language.
The photos below are of a torch walk organised by a newer Estonian party whose aim is to promote nationalism.
Third last photo banner translation:
"Blue sky in the face of a white man with black soil"