BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Tallinn 2008, January 1st, Fireworks

A Wonderful and prosperous New year to all here and abroad

Dear people of Estonia home and abroad ....

Here, in the hall of the Bank of Estonia, the first Government of the Republic of Estonia set to work on 24 February 1918. We have, therefore, been building our country for nearly 90 years. And when building was impossible, we held on to it. In our hearts and in our minds.

Jaan Kross, a man who held on to Estonia in his heart and mind, has said, I quote :

“How many among the peoples of Europe do still have unsatisfied or entirely hopeless claims of independent statehood ? Peoples who have missed their chance of success, the rare opportunity of statehood that history so seldom offers, or are still hoping for it.”

We are a fortunate nation. Once more, we have cause to feel more secure of our state, our culture and ourselves than ever before. A secure state, building upon the law, looks its citizens into the eye. A secure state is both open and safe.

The closing year was a year of trust. A year when our trust was put to test, but also reinforced.

We are wiser now. Today, we know that order and stability in Estonia can only be ensured hand in hand with democracy, freedom of speech, and freedom of opinion. We know today that we will never be let down, as we stand side by side with our allies and friends.

We have been trusting and trusted. When travelling in Europe, in our true spiritual home, we no longer need to present a passport on the borders to prove that this is where we belong.

Dear fellow countrymen !

Here, in the hall of the Bank of Estonia, it is appropriate to speak of Estonian diligence and enterprising, qualities that add to our confidence about the prospects of Estonian economy.

New Year´s Eve parties

What to do on December 31 ? Where to celebrate the New Year's Eve ?
Where are the most glamorous parties or the best offers ?

TALLINN

Astoria Palace
Glamour, Sexy, Gifts and Surprises
Ticket : st. 1000 EEK
Check out here or www.astoria.ee

Amigo
DJ Arno Kukk
Normal video disco night like every Monday. Free entrance to the club for women all night. Best video hits on screen.
Ticket: the usual price
www.amigo.ee

Bonnie & Clyde
New Year s Eve party throughout the hotel of Olümpia
Dave Benton and Anne Veski, jazz music, belly dancers, gipsys, disko band Mjau, kids program
Ticket: 1990.-
See more HERE (in Est)

Club Hollywood MTV party; superhits by DJs Heivi S, Kert Klaus and Kermo Hert Ticket: 190 krooni www.clubhollywood.ee (in Est) Club Papillon 2 Quick Start www.papillon.com.ee

Laulasmaa Resort
Glamorous New Year’s Eve in Laulasmaa Resort with Tõnu Kilgas, Strauss Orchestra and soloists from the national opera ”Estonia”. Spa, buffet and accommodation.
Ticket: 2990.- (kids 7-14 990.-)
www.laulasmaa.ee

Mustpeade Maja
Music by Apelsin and Külalised and Tommyboy. Delicious food, dance show, photos, cigars, lottery
Tickets: 400 / 1300 kr
www.mustpeademaja.ee (in Est)

Casa de Baile Dance Center
Salsa fiesta, games, performances, snacks, drinks
Ticket: st. 400.-
www.tantsukeskus.ee

Nõmme Kultuurikeskus
Dancing music by Meister ja Margarita, special guests, snacks and drinks
Ticket: st. 400.-
www.nommekultuur.ee

Nimega Bar
Drinks, snacks, DJ Kerdo and karaoke
Ticket: reserve a table for four 400.- (with sparkling wine),  snacks 150.-
www.baarid.ee

Nelijärve Puhkekeskus
A party of ghosts and elfs
Ticket: 1490.-
www.nelijarve.ee

Cafe Tao
Funk music at the new twin tower restaurant. Ewert Sundja and Slam.
Ticket: st. 1000.-
www.cafetao.ee (in Est)

Nimeta Bar
DJ, snacks and drinks
Ticket: 175.-, after midnight 100.-
www.nimetabaar.ee

Happy New Year from Tallinn

****From Mr President****

*Vabariigi Presidendi tervitus 2006/2007. aastavahetusel
Armsad kaasmaalased !
Ärma talu, mille raamatukogus .... (the full speech is next page)

*****9:24 - 01.01.2007

The little snow fallen last evening has already melted .....

New Year Address by the President of the Republic, December 31, 2005

Dear people of Estonia !

Today at midnight, on the borderline of two years we deserve another moment of recollection, just for ourselves. Recalling more significant deeds and events of the year let us weigh them with eternal values. And planning future, let us have courage to strive for better and look farther ahead in order to open up new horizons.

This is what we have momentum for and hopefully also intent. A recent opinion poll has revealed that the vast majority of the population of Estonia was satisfied with the year 2005. It remains to wish that this satisfaction would encompass several years and all people.

However, start-off acceleration and strong will are not enough to aspire to high goals. Also wisdom and good encouraging co-travellers are necessary. But, first and foremost, family care and love as well as support of each others’ aspirations and creativity.

This is how children will get a feeling of security and spiritual strength for today and tomorrow, not through affluence. Without this they would not have sympathy, a desire to develop and create, to love their future spouse and children. We can say that we are creating our children’s future each and every moment, with each and every word and deed.

Many years ago my father told me : “My son, don’t ever fight on a village street, men won’t !” I took his words word for word. It was years later that I realised that my father had not meant boys’ wrangling. Life has confirmed his lesson: soft fire makes sweet malt.

A recent study in Estonian schools has demonstrated that students’ evaluations are guided primarily by positive values. The young rank friends, family and friends the highest.

Unfortunately, for the majority of respondents patriotic values are insignificant ? patriotism, national culture, respect for ancestors and traditions. This is an indication of a trend in the societal values, not only in the young people’s values.

For children fatherland is primarily associated with familiar people and things, like home and native country’s nature. Children understand and love their fatherland probably in terms of home, its spirituality and mum’s and dad’s interpretations. Thus, tremendous responsibility lies with parents but also schools should be more effectively involved in patriotic upbringing.

The study does not cover as respondents pupils who do not attend school. However, there are thousands of such children in the basic school age group alone. Many dropouts remain without education. This is highly tragic not only for these young people but for the entire society.

New Year's Eve ball at The Opera House

* This year the ball will be in Argentine style. It begins with the opening waltz in the Estonia concert hall, performs Estonian National Opera’s symphony orchestra, conductor Arvo Volmer.

The colorful program in the theatre hall consists of two parts: opera parody “Kalevipoeg’s comeback”, performed by the Estonian National Opera’s soloists, symphony orchestra, opera chorus, conductor Erki Pehk and tango-show “Mi Tango en Buenos Aires” performed by the Estonian National Opera’s ballet troupe, singing soloists Laura Lahera (Buenos Aires) and Marko Matvere with music played by Villu Veski/Tiit Kalluste’s Tango-sextet.

Between and after the program dance in the concert hall with ensemble “Modern Fox”, soloist Airi Allvee. Different bars and a restaurant in the Winter Garden are waiting for You.

Tickets until 30 November : 400 – 1000 EEK, after that term 500 – 1200 EEK. Reservations Mon-Fri 10 am – 4 pm tel. +372 6831 260, +372 506 8361, fax +372 6831 246, e-mail : estonia@opera.ee

You have the possibility to order catering services in advance. Frens Catering takes orders for rich Argentine-style buffet in Winter Garden Restaurant. The dinner consists of cold and warm buffet and in addition a glass of wine, water and tea or coffe. Price until 30 November 450 EEK, after that term 550 EEK. You are welcome to order : Mon – Fri 9 am – 7 pm tel. 372 697 9200, e-mail frens@frens.ee

Time schedule

20.00 – 20.30 Opening waltz and dance in the concert hall, symphony orchestra

20.45 – 21.30 Opera parody “Kalevipoeg’s comeback” in the theatre hall

21.30 – 22.30 Dance in the concert hall, ensemble Modern Fox

22.40 – 23.15 Tango-show “Mi Tango en Buenos Aires” in the theatre hall

23.15 – 01.15 Dancing into New Year in the concert hall

Homepage :
www.opera.ee

Time of Event :

31.12.2005 20:00

Location of Event :

ESTONIAN NATIONAL OPERA
Estonia pst 4 map
Phone : +372 683 1260
Fax : +372 683 1246
info@opera.ee
www.opera.ee

Nostalgia brings Russians to Tallinn for New Year’s Eve !

* TALLINN - The city of Tallinn and Enterprise Estonia’s advertisement campaigns, plastered across metro stations and kiosks in St. Petersburg and Moscow, could bring up to 25,000 Russian tourists to Estonia for New Year’s celebrations - 25 percent more than last year.
“Russian tourists like to spend their New Year’s Eve in Estonia, going to Tallinn shops and restaurants. Some also want to visit the countryside,” said Asko Valdmann, board member at Taluday Resorts.

01-01-2005 8.00 o'clock Vabaduse Väljak - 0° Celsius