A country is not protected and maintained only with weapons, but above all with people, this is a simple idea. However, its translation is more complicated, because it makes the will to protect depend on the relationship between state and citizen and makes mutual respect crucial. An important lesson for all those who manage state affairs, President Alar Karis said in his New Year greeting.
We are on the move, we are always on the move. And isn’t this how we are going, in the Paul-Erik-Rummo way, that we cross a sea that rises ferociously against us, and to support us we need nothing more than clear shoulders and happy common debts.
Looking back and saying, “Goodbye, 2023!” I invite every person whose home is in Estonia to see something good, joyful, encouraging in the last year.
It makes me happy that my nephew went to high school. Someone is happy that the child has started kindergarten. The third is happy that his business has started to do well again. The fourth is proud that his son became a junior sergeant in the military service and can now give orders to his private father. And many are happy that someone else is okay.
Surely in our last year there will be more than one million three hundred thousand moments of joy. It’s not that everything is wrong and bad, although it seems like it’s been a year of carelessness and rudeness, and it seems that the wrong rises and the good sinks. In the end the truth always emerges and evil sinks.
It is true that we are demanding, often more demanding of others than of ourselves. Don’t take this as an end-of-year scolding, but as a reminder of human nature.
Political arguments and postponements cause boredom, demands, resentment. Not just me. This is not how we want to see our parliament or the relationship between government and legislature. The human face dissolves and democracy remains breathless. There is a feeling of a dead end. However, the current political situation is not the end point. And Estonia must never become a dead end.
In many meetings and conversations over the last year, as well as in the opinions I have read, I have seen people’s insecurity and demands. Russia’s war against Ukraine and conflicts near and far from Europe, the weakening of the economy in Estonia and the poor conditions of our economic partners, the survival problems of many families, the predatory social context, irregular messages of rulers. All this worries many people in Estonia.
“So my message is simple: Don’t think or convince ourselves that we are weaker than we are.”
We are a frontier state of freedom, but we cannot become a frontline state. Our adversaries, no matter how frantic, dare not attack NATO territory. Because they know we fight harder. This concrete availability of ours, the joint contribution of all of us, makes Estonia a safe place. So my message is simple: don’t think or convince ourselves that we are weaker than we are.
But let’s ask ourselves now: does safety only consist of educated men and good weapons or also, for example, of robust and modern electrical connections that do not let go in the snow and do not break trees?
A country is not protected and maintained only with weapons, but above all with people, it’s a simple idea. However, its translation is more complicated, because it makes the will to protect depend on the relationship between state and citizen and makes mutual respect crucial. An important lesson for all those who manage public affairs.
Strong national defense, responsible foreign policy and mutual trust give strength to Estonia as a country. It is easy to offend, difficult to achieve reconciliation. At home and looking beyond. Maintaining and cultivating ally space requires attention and foresight towards others.
Greater self-confidence for all of us is certainly one of my wishes for the future. But at the same time, we have occasionally heard accusations that Estonia no longer has a purpose. It is still, in addition to the survival of our language and culture, being a country where it is beautiful and safe to live. A country that is for its people. This requires wisdom on the part of rulers as well as voters.
Our goal shouldn’t be to get to the top of the charts. Estonia as a healthy, mentally and physically healthy country with an intelligent people, this is also a beautiful and achievable goal, but getting there is a long road. If our people want to go in that direction.
And when I say “our people” I don’t forget anyone. Like in my greeting card this time, where no one is excluded or feels useless and where the future is better than the present. Here’s another wish: please, let’s take care of our loved ones and ourselves. Don’t hurt others or hurt yourself.
Each other’s shoulders and shared debts… And we remain united like a family of bees… As if waiting for the end of the darkest downpour of the youth party with songs and dances. If the storm cloud rises, whether at home or in a foreign land, we still retain one.
Happy New Year to all of us!
2023-12-31 21:58:00
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