Scotland-Estonia links celebrated at Holyrood

099/2005 | 1 November 2005

Scotland’s historical and cultural links with the Baltic state of Estonia are being celebrated at the Scottish Parliament today.

The Estonian Foreign Minister, Mr Urmas Paet, is visiting Holyrood with the Estonian Ambassador, Ms Kaja Tael, to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The visit marks one of the first events of ‘Estonian Days in Scotland’, a programme of cultural events around Scotland from 31 October to 9 November.

This follows the Estonian Parliament, the Riigikogu, agreeing earlier this year to target a significant amount of its international culture budget on building links with Scotland.

Mr Paet and Ms Tael will be guests at a reception for invited guests this evening in the Scottish Parliament’s Garden Lobby, where an exhibition of Estonian photographs will be unveiled.

The Estonian National Male Choir will also perform for guests at the reception.

The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon George Reid MSP, said:

“Scotland and Estonia are small nations developing their Parliamentary democracies within a relatively new constitutional context and seeking to promote themselves within the wider European Union.

“I am delighted to welcome Mr Paet and Ms Tael. This visit to Holyrood, as well as the ‘Estonian Days in Scotland’ programme, can only strengthen the existing ties between our countries.”

The ‘Estonian Days in Scotland’ photographic exhibition is divided into two parts.

One is entitled ‘Bird’s Eye Estonia’ and is aerial photographs of Estonia taken by the famous Estonian photographer, Edel Grensmann, between 1999 and 2002.

The other is ‘At the Same Latitude’ and consists of photographs which illustrate the various historical links that have existed between Scotland and Estonia.

Scotland and Estonia have enjoyed an historic relationship in the areas of trade and culture since both nations were trading partners in the Hanseatic League, an alliance of trading cities between the 13th and 17th centuries.

Background Note

The ‘Estonian Week in Scotland’ programme includes more than 30 events from Monday 31 October to Wednesday 9 November. Some of the other events in the programme include:
• Estonian-Scottish Business Seminar hosted by SCDI and SDI;
• Estonian-Scottish Business Seminar hosted by Reid Kerr College and Scottish Enterprise;
• Estonian-Scottish Jewellery Symposium in Edinburgh College of Art;
• Estonian National Male Choir in RSAMD; Greyfriars Church Edinburgh and Shetland; and
• Estonian-Scottish Folk Music Concert Recording with Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain in Glasgow.

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E-mail: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

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