Estonia will mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its independence on August 20, 2026, with a series of events beginning on August 19. The celebrations will start with a conference titled 'Parlament kui riikliku iseseisvuse taastaja ja hoidja' ('Parliament as the Restorer and Guardian of National Independence'), featuring key figures from the restoration period.
The anniversary commemorates the adoption of the resolution 'On the Restoration of the Independent State of Estonia' by the Estonian Supreme Council on August 20, 1991, following the failed coup attempt in Moscow. This act reestablished Estonia's sovereignty after nearly five decades of Soviet occupation.
Events will include a flag-raising ceremony at the Toompea Castle, a concert at the Song Festival Grounds, and a reception for foreign dignitaries. The government has encouraged citizens to participate in local celebrations across the country.
Estonia's path to independence was marked by the Singing Revolution, a non-violent movement that used song and protest to assert national identity. The restoration of independence in 1991 was a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
