Today, President Lennart Meri and Mrs. Helle Meri met the mothers of large families from all over Estonia to celebrate Mother’s Day.

The President congratulated the mothers on Mother’s Day and told them that in Estonia, mothers have always had different duties than mothers in England, Germany or France.

“In the Estonian language, we have the word lauluema (mother of the song), which does not exist in any other European language, lauluema is the keeper of our legends, the keeper of the people and the home, and most of all, the keeper of our culture,” the head of state told the 33 women, who are mothers to a total of 172 children, and who had been invited to the reception. The President said that it has always been important to emphasise the role of mothers as the keepers of the culture of Estonia.

The President thanked the mothers, wished them a beautiful Mother’s Day, offered them cake and had a joint family photo taken together with them.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, May 9, 1999

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