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The President of the Republic At the Meeting with the Representatives of the Jewish Community On December 7, 2004, in Tallinn07.12.2004
Honourable members of the Jewish Community!
Fire has a very significant meaning for many nations. For the Nordic people, from the point of view of life preservation, fire is as important as water. But fire has also a deeper symbolic meaning. For many nations it is a symbol of unsubmissiveness and marks the courage to stay true to oneself.
Fire unites people, opens up and cleanses their souls. Traditionally candles are lit in the darkest time of year, so that we could draw energy from candle flame. This is also a tradition of Estonians, who since very old times have celebrated solstice both in summer and in winter with live fire, lightening a candle or a bonfire.
In Jewish history and life, both water and fire have been of paramount importance. Today candles are lit as a sign of fortitude of Jewish people and as a sign of freedom, as well as for glorification of light and joy. Your own culture, which Jewish people hold in esteem also while living abroad, is certainly a source of joy.
As early as the very first days of our national state, Estonia has made efforts to create possibilities for minority groups living here to preserve their own culture. The first Estonian Congress of Jewish congregations was convened in 1919, the Jewish Secondary School was established in 1923. Being the first in Europe, Estonia adopted the Cultural Autonomy of Ethnic Minorities Act in 1925, which made it possible to declare Jewish Cultural Autonomy in 1926. This happened to be an exceptional phenomenon in the world and in the history of Jewish people.
In May 1988 the Jewish Cultural Society was restored and it attracted attention being the first such organisation in the Soviet Union. After the restoration of independence in Estonia, the first school of national minorities to start again its activities was the Tallinn Jewish School in 1990.
I would like to use this opportunity and thank the Jewish Community for your very active and sympathetic participation in public life of Estonia. I would like to wish all of you on the occasion of today's holiday a lot of joy from candlelight, your fellow people as well as from your rich culture!
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