Anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty to be celebrated with a grand programme
24 January / On 2 February of this year, 100 years will have passed since the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty between the Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia.
By signing the Tartu Peace Treaty, Russia recognised the independence of the Republic of Estonia and the War of Independence came to an end. The 100th anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty will be celebrated with an exhibition, joint events, presentations and moments of reflection in Tartu and across Estonia.
The following is an overview of the biggest public events, which will taking place between 29 January and 2 February, in Tartu.
WEDNESDAY, 29 January
At the National Archives’ Noora house (Nooruse 3)
9.00 – 17.00 Display of the original Tartu Peace Treaty
In the Tartu Peace Treaty room at Jaan Poska Upper Secondary School (Vanemuise 35)
16.00 Opening of The Origin of the Tartu Peace Treaty, a joint exhibition between the National Archives of Estonia and Tartu City Museum.
16.15 Presentation of the commemorative stamp Tartu Peace Treaty 100 and the stamp book Estonian Heads of State 1918–2018
FRIDAY, 31 January
At The Tartu City Museum (Narva mnt 23)
11.00, 13.00 and 15.00 an hour long guided walking tour starting at the City Museum and visiting locations associated with the Tartu Peace Treaty
18.00 Opening of the Tartu Peace Treaty exhibition and the presentation of Anu Raud’s new carpet Tartu Peace Treaty
Together with her assistants, Estonian textile artist Anu Raud wove the tapestry rug Tartu Peace Treaty, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty, which will remain in the Tartu City Museum as a permanent exhibition.
SATURDAY, 1 FEBRUARY
Estonian National Museum (Muuseumi tee 2)
10.00 Presentation by Eesti Pank of the circulating €2 coin Tartu Peace Treaty 100
11.00, 13.00 and 15.00 an hour long guided walking tour starting at the City Museum and visiting locations associated with the Tartu Peace Treaty
At Tartu Town Hall Square
At the top and bottom of each hour from 18.00-23.00 Visual production Sculpture of Peace
24.00 Celebration of the moment of signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty, 00.45 marking of the passing of exactly 100 years from the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty
SUNDAY, 2 February
10.00 Memorial ceremony at the Kalevipoeg monument
11.00 Tartu Peace Treaty church service at Tartu’s St. John’s Church
12.30 Tartu Peace Treaty meeting at Tartu Peace Treaty square (Vanemuise 33)
At the top and bottom of each hour from 18.00-24.00 Visual production Sculpture of Peace, at Tartu Town Hall Square
Additional information on the Tartu Peace Treaty 100 events can be found on the City of Tartu’s homepage www.tartu.ee/en/peacetreaty100
On 2 February 2020, 100 years will have passed since the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty between the Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia. By signing the Tartu Peace Treaty on 2 February 1920, Russia recognised the independence of the Republic of Estonia and the War of Independence came to an end. The Tartu Peace Treaty opened the door for Estonia’s international recognition.
Peace delegations for Estonia and Russia arrived in Tartu on 4 December 1919. Negotiations lasted until 1 February 2020, when the text of the treaty was finally put on paper.
With the treaty, Russia recognised Estonia's independence for an eternal time forever de jure, voluntarily and forever withdrawing from all sovereign rights that Russia had had for the people and land of Estonia.
Last changed 31.01.2020
