On March 25th, it will mark 76 years since the mass crime committed by the Soviet occupying power against the Baltic nations.
The Soviet regime forcibly deported over 22,000 people from Estonia to Siberia and
more than 90,000 people from the three Baltic states combined, including many children and elderly.

Overview of Events Across Estonia on the March 25 Day of Remembrance:

Tallinn: 12.00 mälestushetk Toompeal, Leinava Linda mälestusmärgi juures; 18.00. Küünalde süütamine Vabaduse väljakul.
Tartumaa: 10.00 Mälestustseremoonia Rukkilille monumendi juures; 11.00. Mälestusteenistus Pauluse kirikus; 17.00. Küünalde süütamine Raekoja platsil. Hiiumaa: 12.00.  Lehtma mälestuskivi juures. Saaremaa: 12.00. Kudjape memoriaali juures, järgnevad tseremooniad liikuva graafiku järgi, Roomassaare ja Jaagarahu sadamas. Harjumaa: 14.00. Keila jaama mälestuskivi juures. Ida-Virumaa: 12.00. Jõhvi raudteejaamas asuva mälestuskivi juures. Pärnumaa: 12.00. Pärnu leinapargis. Põlvamaa: 11.00. Põlva raudteejaamas;12.00. Veriora raudteejaamas. Järvamaa: 10.00. Türi kesklinna kalmistul; 11.00. Paide Murtud Rukkilille mälestuskivi juures Öötla mõisa pargis; 12.00. Järva-Jaani mälestuskivi juures; 14.00. Järva Madise kivikangru juures; 18.00. Koeru mälestuste pargis. Jõgevamaa: 10.00. Kääpa (Saare); 11.00. Jõgeva leinapargis. 11.00. Põltsamaal. Läänemaa: 11.00. Haapsalu Toomkirikus; 13.30. Ristil, mälestusmärgi “Raudteerattad Mäletavad” juures. Võrumaa: 11.00. Võru raudteejaama juures. Valgamaa: 12.00.  Keeni raudteejaama juures. Lääne-Virumaa: 11.00. Rakvere Okaskrooni mälestusmärgi juures.

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You are invited to attend the memorial ceremony for the March deportations on
at 16.00
at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Maarjamäe..

At 15:50, the Ministry of Defence will lay a wreath at the memorial wall for Estonian officers The ceremony will honor the victims of the deportations through speeches and prayers.

One of the best entries from the writing competition "A Letter to the Deported", organized by the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory and Postimees, will be presented.

Musical interludes will be performed by::

Jana Kütt and Robert Rebane.

Everyone is welcome to lay a wreath or bouquet at the memorial..

The event will include an honor guard.
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On March 25, we commemorate the thousands of victims of the March deportations.
Come and light a candle at Freedom Square in Tallinn,
at 18.00
By lighting a memorial candle in our windows, we show that despite everything, we cherish freedom, remember the victims of terror, and stand together in both difficult and joyful times.

At Freedom Square, only candles with lids and plastic casings are allowed, as an open flame can easily ignite modern synthetic materials, and glass candles may break if dropped, posing a danger to passersby.

After the memorial day, the candle remnants will be collected. The leftover wax will be used to make new candles, and an Estonian artist will repurpose the plastic casings and metal lids to create small sculptures and other decorative pieces.
This year marks 76 years since the March deportations—one of the most tragic chapters in our nation’s history. It was a time when innocent people were repressed, deported, and executed simply because a totalitarian regime deemed them unfit. Today, more than three generations later, we once again witness crimes against humanity in the world. In Ukraine, innocent people are being attacked, homes destroyed, and human rights violated. We, who have endured similar pain and injustice, must not remain silent..

The Day of Remembrance on March 25th reminds us that history must not repeat itself . The lessons of the past must guide us in defending freedom and human dignity everywhere in the world.

As Estonians, we know what it means to live under foreign rule, to lose loved ones and one’s homeland. That is why it is our moral duty to support those who are fighting for their freedom today. The people of Ukraine need our support—not just words of sympathy, but actions. We must not be indifferent.

On March 25th, we light candles in memory of those who were deported to Siberia and in honor of those who suffer today. We remember, we reflect, and we stand together for justice—so that such crimes will never happen again..

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