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The President of the Republic is at the Tartu University03.05.2002
 President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel today are participating in the events marking the 370th anniversary of founding and the 200th anniversary of reopening of the Tartu University.
At noon, the Head of State together with the Rector of the University, Jaak Aaviksoo, planted an oak tree in the botanic gardens of the Tartu University.
In his welcoming address at the anniversary celebrations, President Rüütel highlighted the importance of our national university. ''The foundation of the University in Tartu 1632 meant that Estonia had by this act been incorporated into the homogeneous European area of academic culture. The Tartu University has been one of the symbols of Estonia as a civilized nation,'' the President said.
The Head of State acknowledged Tartu University as preserver of the Estonian language and ideology throughout the history. According to the President, Tartu University in present-day Estonia still had the position of the flagship of education, the spiritual heart of Estonia and the idea Estonia. ''Ultimately, the fate of the Estonians as a civilized nation also depends on the fate of the University. We must see to it that the ''source of light'' praised by Kristjan Jaak Peterson never went out,'' the President called for.
In the evening, the President of the Republic and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel will attend a concert on the occasion of the anniversary in the assembly hall of the university.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, May 3, 2002
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