This week, the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn is continuing its “100 Days to 100 Years” campaign — marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Estonia — with a series of events and activities in Valga, Viljandi and Tallinn.
On Monday, May 9, U.S. Embassy officials were at the southern border city of Valga, where they met with students at Valga High School as well as hosted a concert featuring the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus’ Soldiers’ Chorus at the Valga Cultural Center, according to a press release.
On Tuesday, May 10, Chargé d’Affaires Brian Roraff visited Viljandi, where he met with local municipal leaders and students as well as visited the American Corner at Viljandi City Library.
That evening, the U.S. Embassy hosted another free concert featuring the Soldiers’ Chorus at the Estonian Traditional Music Center (Pärimusmuusika Keskus).
On Wednesday, May 11, embassy officials and members of the Soldiers’ Chorus met with students at Tallinna Südalinna School.
That evening, the U.S. Embassy hosted a third free concert featuring the Soldiers’ Chorus, this time in cooperation with Lasnamäe District, at the Lindakivi Cultural Center.
All three concerts this week were open to the public, with free admission.
Under the direction of Lt. Col. Randall Bartel, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and Soldiers’ Chorus is stationed in Sembach, Germany.
The chorus currently serves as the U.S. Army’s premier musical ambassador in Europe and Africa, performing more than 200 missions each year across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group last performed in Estonia in July 2021.
Embassy celebrating with 100-day program
Diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Estonia were formally established on July 28, 1922.
On Tuesday, April 19, the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn launched its “100 Days to 100 Years” campaign celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Estonia.
As part of the campaign, the embassy is cooperating with partners across Estonia to mark the jubilee, with plans including the publishing of a book on U.S.-Estonian relations by the University of Tartu, a conference co-hosted by Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take place on June 17, a documentary to be aired on ETV and ETV+ in July, as well as several other musical performances, exhibitions, films and other cultural activities across the country, “from Kuressaare to Narva, and Valga to Tallinn.”
100 highlights of the past century
As part of the celebrations, the U.S. Embassy also launched USandEstonia.ee, a website featuring 100 moments from the first 100 years of the two countries’ relations, including contributions of the Estonian-American diaspora.
“Grouped into diplomatic milestones, security engagements, cultural events, and economic connections, these moments demonstrate the enduring friendship the United States and Estonia have shared over the past century,” the introduction states.
For additional information on “100 Days to 100 Years” activities, follow the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check out the hashtag #US100EE.
ERR News
