Speeches
Search in Speeches:
 
printer friendly document

President of the Republic on the Opening Ceremony of Kawe Plaza In Tallinn, on October 30, 1998
30.10.1998

Mr. Wellner, Chairman of the Board,
Mr. Sillaste, my dear old friend from days in Toronto,
Mrs. Mayor,
Dear Friends!

Tallinn has gained a new house. This is not a rare occasion these days, but it has also gained another beautiful house - and this, being a rare occasion in itself, already sets down the programme.

I would very much like the builders to understand that the architect who designs a building, also designs our future, designs the face of the Estonians and the sense of beauty in our children. It is no secret that our great freedom also has a tendency to attract us to tasteless solutions occasionally.

I would also like to point out something we all know: besides these very beautiful buildings that would be an adornment to any North European city, the city of Tallinn has other new buildings, examples of bad taste, nouveau richesse and the fact that people are spending their money without discretion.

For this reason, I think, it is especially important that private enterprise, in the very centre of Tallinn, has shown what private enterprise is capable of, if only the craft of architecture presents high enough demands to itself. I would like to welcome and support this development. I would like to remind you of the first days of the Republic of Estonia in 1920-1921, when also our embassies in London and Berlin were built on credit by private companies and the poor Republic Estonia then had to pay the debt.

Consider all these possibilities, and the Republic of Estonia will be standing on a firmer ground!

Thank you, and my congratulations!

 

back | archive of speeches | main page

© 2001 Office of the President of the Republic
Phone: +372 631 6202 | Fax: +372 631 6250 | sekretar@vpk.ee
Reden Kõned Speeches Statements Interviews