Andre Nakkurt, Leelo Kask, Marit Davey, Eerik Marmei, Mai-Liis Bartling, Tõnu Viitas, Andrus Viirg. Photo by Marko Kullapera

Marje Luik, Tiiu Jurvetson, Saima Kint.   Photos by Tõnu Viitas

On Saturday, February 27, San Francisco and northern California Estonians celebrated the 98th anniversary of Estonia’s independence.

Hans Hindreus with his daughters

Featured speaker Ambassador Eerik Marmei spoke on the theme of Estonia’s outstanding accomplishments as a small nation, as well as the global crises of the past 8 years  that demand that Estonia continue to strengthen its own security and at the same time face global challenges with a united European voice.  All of this requires the participation and talents of Estonians both at home and abroad.

The Ambassador  – on behalf of Estonian President Toomas Ilves – also presented the Orders of the Cross of Terra Mariana to Sylvia K. Thompson, President of the Kistler-Ritso Foundation, and Michael A. Keller, University Libarian of Stanford.

The evening’s other special guests included Honorary Consul Richard Horning and recently retired U.S. ambassador to Estonia Jeffrey Levine.  

The well-attended event was co-hosted by the Estonian Society of San Francisco and Andrus Viirg (EAS, Silicon Valley).

The guests included many young families with children who very much enjoyed celebrating Estonia’s birthday.

Mai-Liis Bartling