On the initiative of President Lennart Meri, the passing of 95 years from the massacre on the Tallinn New Market will be observed this Sunday, October 29. On October 29, 1905 (according to the new calendar) fire was opened on a peaceful demonstration that had gathered to claim the civic rights of the inhabitants of Tallinn and to protest against the Russian autocracy. 94 people were killed, more than 200 wounded.

On the 95th anniversary of the massacre, the victims will be commemorated with a gathering at 13.45 on the Tallinn New Market at the monument to the victims of the massacre. The writer Jaan Kross will hold a speech. A wreath will be laid by President of the Republic, the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Mart Laar, Archbishop Jaan Kiivit of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the municipality of Tallinn, the Estonian Society for the Preservation of Antiquities, and other institutions and professions. Also a wreath from the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Stephanos of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church will be laid on the monument.

At sunset, the wreaths will be taken to the Rahumäe cemetery, where there is also the first monument to the victims of the 1905 massacre, and where some of the victims have been buried.

Ninety-five years ago, ordinary Tallinners, who claimed their right to be citizens, were shot on the New Market. The massacre of 29th October of 1905 destroyed the hope of the inhabitants of Estonia and Livonia that the Russian Empire would be reformed. After the massacre, Estonia's separation from the Russian Empire was merely a matter of time.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 25, 2000

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