To a writer, one can say things that a historian really should not say.

Sometimes, I have thought what would have happened if the Republic of Estonia had restored her independence not in 1991, but in 1951 or 1950. We know that our human losses would have been smaller, that our progress would have been firmer, we could continue long from here. But I have also thought what would have been if we had restored our independence in 2009 or 2019.

The fact that we managed to restore our independence at the time that was right for the existence of the whole state and the whole nation, that we were, at the right moment, able to resort to the experience of the pre-war Estonia, that we could tie together what Einstein could not, was in a great deal a success due to your work. And due to your parents, who brought you to this world exactly at the best time, and due to you, and through you also to your family, who have stood around you like a wall -- or like a field, like a rye field.

You have given Estonia back to us, made it fragrant, visible, and tangible. Estonia that is now again going to gain pace, and walk uphill and honestly.

For this, we thank you very much!

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