Children raise the Ukrainian flag in front of Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn

On Ukraine’s Independence Day, the blue-and-yellow flag was solemnly raised in front of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn.

This year the moment was special for our Association: together with Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna, the State Flag of Ukraine was raised by pupils of the Ukrainian Sunday school “Nadiia” — Ilariia Chervinko and Nazar Klymenko.

Children are our future. For Ukrainians abroad it is vitally important that the next generations know the Ukrainian language, history and culture, remember their roots and feel part of Ukraine.

That is exactly why the “Nadiia” school has operated at the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia for 26 years. And today it is especially symbolic to see its pupils raise the flag of independent Ukraine with their own hands in the Estonian capital.

This is more than a ceremony. It is about memory, the continuity of generations and the Ukrainian identity that can be preserved thousands of kilometres from the homeland.

The national anthems of Ukraine and Estonia were performed movingly during the ceremony by Karina Amirkhanian, a teacher at the “Nadiia” school.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine, the Ukrainian community and the diplomatic corps. The Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs once again stressed that support for Ukraine is unwavering.

Today, when our defenders continue to fight for independence, it is especially important to remember for whom we must preserve it: for those who will one day take Ukraine over from us.

We thank Estonia that Ukrainian children can here not only feel safe but also remain Ukrainians.

And may the blue-and-yellow flag that children’s hands raised in Tallinn soon fly over a peaceful, free Ukraine — within all of its internationally recognised borders.

Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!