In honor of Europe Day, the Estonian, European Union (EU) and Ukrainian flags will be hung on the walls of the castle on the Estonian border on May 9, the Ministry of Culture of Estonia informed on Wednesday.
Posters with the inscriptions “Europe begins with us” and “Putin – a war criminal” will also be placed on the walls of the palace. In the assessment of the Ministry, it is necessary to remind the residents of the eastern neighboring country about the “deplorable works” that the Russian terrorist regime is carrying out on the territory of Ukraine.
The flags and posters are placed with the support of the European Commission Representation in Estonia and the Estonian National Guard organization “Kaitseliit” (“Defense League”).
“Our message is simple: Narva is the border between free Europe and terrorist Russia, where the rule of law, democracy and freedom of speech stand on one side, and censorship, destruction of people and violence on the other. Long live Ukraine! Long live Estonia! Long live free Europe! ” said Culture Minister Heidi Purga.
Flags and the poster “Europe starts with us” will be on the walls of Narva Castle until Midsummer’s Day. The poster “Putin – a war criminal” will be on the walls of the palace only on Wednesday, May 9, when Russia celebrates the so-called Victory Day.
For the first time, the poster “Putin – a war criminal” was hung on the wall of Narva Castle last year on May 9. The poster was there for about a week.
Similar to last year, this year the Russian authorities have placed a stage with a giant screen facing Narva in Ivangorod. It is expected that there will be a celebration on May 9, which will also attract the attention of the residents of the Estonian border town. More than 95% of the population of Narva are Russian speakers.
The Estonian police emphasize that the public use of symbols of the aggressor state, such as Georga ribbons, is prohibited, however, commemoration of the fallen is not prohibited.
In Narva, Europe Day celebrations begin on Wednesday with a series of cultural events. On Thursday, a free concert will be held in the city, where the singer Uku Suviste, the singer Alika with the Narva Symphony Orchestra and the rock group “Smilers” will perform.
Before the concert, Estonian President Alars Karis, Narva Mayor Jāns Tots and Swedish Ambassador to Estonia Ingrīda Tersmane will speak. There will also be a cafe area and a stand where information about the EU will be available in Narva’s Town Hall Square.
