Mrs. Helle Meri, spouse of the President of the Republic, had a meeting with the participants of the ''Estonian Farm Teaches Estonian'' project, the schoolchildren Julia Melikidze and Mikhail Solovyov from Narva, the twins Pavel and Stepan Bondarenko and also Veronika Gutkova, Alesya Kovalenko and Alfred Merkulov from Kohtla-Järve, and Olga Kuzminova from Sillamäe in Kadriorg Palace this afternoon.

The schoolchildren who had practised Estonian in the farms of the Viljandi County and the Põlva County this summer, had sent their journals, which contained writings and drawings of their activities, impressions and experiences this summer to Mrs. Helle Meri. On the meeting, Mrs. Helle Meri and the schoolchildren talked of the new schoolyear, of speaking Estonian, and of the fact that in the Viru County, the possibilities to practice the language are scarce. The schoolchildren also said that often, Estonians prefer to switch to Russian instead of letting the learners practice their Estonian. The children said that the young people from the Viru County who have chosen Estonia as their future home have all decided to learn the Estonian language. For this purpose, they attend language courses, watch TV and read papers and magazines in Estonian.

Mrs. Helle Meri showed the guests round in the presidential palace and the garden, and gave them books so they could further practice their Estonian.


Press Service of the office of the President
Kadriorg, September 22, 1999

back | archive of press releases | main page