Opening of the 1944 Mass Flight Memorial in Pärnu

The 1944 Mass Flight Memorial in Pärnu is dedicated to the Mass Flight generation – those who had to leave their homeland to survive, those who never reached their destination, and those who stayed and endured fear and uncertainty. The state of Estonia disappeared from the world map, and our nation was split into the native Estonian community and Estonian communities abroad.

That is why we will be standing on the banks of the Pärnu River on 21 September, where many boats left during that fateful year, to be part of the opening of the Pärnu Memorial.

The erection of the memorial to the 1944 Mass Flight took place in cooperation between the Pärnu City Government and the 1944 Mass Flight Committee of the Estonian World Council. Project manager Kristi Vuht Allpere, coordinator Reelika Lume. Sculptor Elo Liiv.

Donations were collected under the direction of Kristi Vuht Allpere. The Estonian World Council (EWC) and its member and partner organizations helped collect donations: EANC (USA), EERO (Canada), AESL (Australia), and REL (Sweden). Tammepuu Eesti Klubi MTÜ collected donations in Estonia.

Programme    

Programme

Starting at 15:00

Opening of the ceremony by Iivi Zajedova, Chairman of the 1944 Mass Flight Committee, followed by speeches from its members Kristi Vuht Allpere (Pärnu project
leader) and Ülle Ederma.

The memorial will be blessed by the Bishop Emeritus of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tiit Salumäe

The EWC presents the memorial to the City of Pärnu

Speech: Mayor of Pärnu Romek Konsenkranius

Performance by the Pärnu Mihkel Lüdig Male Choir and Female Choir Leelo

Welcome speeches:
Martin Mõttus – Director General of the Department of Global Estonianism and Cultural Diplomacy in the Republic of Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Marju Rink-Abel – Vice President of the EWC
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Performance by Pärnu Mihkel Lüdig Male Choir and Female Choir Leelo

Concluding Remarks: I. Zajedova, K. Allpere