On 2 February 2020, it will be 100 years since the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty between the Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia.
By concluding the Tartu Peace Treaty on 2 February 1920, Russia recognised the independence of the Republic of Estonia and ended the War of Independence. Tartu Peace Treaty opened the door for Estonia’s international recognition.The Tartu Peace Treaty was signed in Tartu at Aia Street, House No. 35. The negotiations began on 4 December 1919 and lasted until 1 February 1920, when the text of the agreement was finally put on paper.
The Tartu Peace Treaty was signed by Estonia by the members of the Constituent Assembly Jaan Poska, Ants Piip, Mait Püüman, Julius Seljamaa and Maj-Gen Jaan Soots.
With the treaty, Russia recognised Estonia’s independence for an eternal time forever de jure, voluntarily and forever withdrawing from all sovereign rights that Russia had had for the people and land of Estonia.
The Treaty was ratified by the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union on 4 February and by the Estonian Constituent Assembly on 13 February 1920.
The agreement consists of 20 articles and contains not only the termination of the state of war but also articles on the recognition of the Estonian state concerning border, security, economic, social and traffic policy.
THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE TARTU PEACE TREATY
Highlights in Tartu and elsewhere
4 December 2019 – 100 years since the beginning of the peace negotiations
Lighting of candles at the memorial sites of the peace negotiators
5 p.m. A history and information hour at Jaan Poska’s house (Jaan Poska 8, Tallinn)
3 January 2020 – 100 years since the beginning of the armistice. Anniversary of the War of Independence Armistice and commemoration of those who fell
10.30 a.m. Ringing church bells and lighting candles at War of Independence memorial sites around the country
6 p.m. A concert and church service at Nõmme Rahu church (Võsu 5, Tallinn)
29 January 2020
12 p.m. Building snow peace sculptures at Tartu Town Hall Square
At the National Archives’ Noora house (Nooruse 3, Tartu):
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Display of the original Tartu Peace Treaty
1 p.m. Speech meeting, lecture by Ago Pajur
2 p.m. Presentation of the new editions of the National Archives’ publications
in the Tartu Peace Treaty room at Jaan Poska Gymnasium (JPG) (Vanemuise 35, Tartu):
4 p.m. Opening of the exhibition “The Origin of the Tartu Peace Treaty”. The exhibition displays drafts of the peace treaty and the table used during the peace negotiations.
4.15 p.m. Presentation of the stamp “Tartu Peace Treaty 100” and the stamp book “Estonian Heads of State 1918–2018”
30 January 2020
12 p.m. Opening of the exhibition “Two Tartu Peace Treaties” at the Estonian National Museum (ERM) (Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu)
2 p.m. The final round of the nationwide Tartu Peace Treaty quiz series at JPG (Vanemuise 35, Tartu)
4 p.m. Presentation of the book about the Cross of Liberty at JPG’s Tartu Peace Treaty room (Vanemuise 35, Tartu)
31 January 2020
10 a.m. Citywide high school student speech meeting at Tartu Peace Treaty square (Vanemuise 33, Tartu)
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Hour-long guided walking tours through places related to the Tartu Peace Treaty. Begins at the Tartu City Museum (Narva mnt 23), ends at JPG’s Tartu Peace Treaty room. By ticket only
11 a.m. International cyber law conference at ERM (Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu). By invitation only
6 p.m. Opening of the Tartu Peace Treaty exhibition and presentation of the new carpet “Tartu Peace Treaty” by Anu Raud
At the Tartu City Museum (Narva mnt 23). By invitation only.
1 February 2020
10 a.m. Presentation of the €2 circulation coin “Tartu Peace Treaty 100” at ERM (Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu)
10.30 a.m. Conference on foreign policy of the Tartu Peace Treaty at ERM (Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu). By invitation only
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Hour-long guided walking tours through places related to the Tartu Peace Treaty.
Begins at the Tartu City Museum (Narva mnt 23), ends at JPG’s Tartu Peace Treaty room. By ticket only
6 p.m. Presentation of snow peace sculptures at Tartu Town Hall Square
7 p.m. Estonia 100 conclusion party at ERM. By invitation only
21.30 p.m. ETV’s special programme
12 a.m. Celebration of the moment of signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty at Tartu Town Hall Square
The Tartu City Museum (Narva mnt 23) displays an exhibition of the Tartu Peace Treaty during the opening hours of the museum. The exhibition is open on 1–16 February. By ticket only
2 February 2020
12.45 a.m. “Exactly 100 years since the signing of the treaty” at Tartu Town Hall Square
Placing wreaths at the War of Independence memorial site at Pauluse cemetery at 8.30 a.m., at the Liberators of South Estonia memorial column at Raadi cemetery at 9 a.m., and at Julius Kuperjanov’s grave at 9.15 a.m.
10 a.m. Memorial ceremony at the Kalevipoeg monument (on the bank of Emajõgi in Tartu)
11 a.m. Tartu Peace Treaty church service at Tartu Jaani church
12.30 p.m. Tartu Peace Treaty meeting at Tartu Peace Treaty square. After that, you can visit JPG’s Tartu Peace Treaty room (Vanemuise 35, Tartu)
2 p.m. Presentation of the War of Independence collection work at the Tartu City Museum (Narva mnt 23)
4 p.m. Ceremonial concert for the 100th anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty at Vanemuise Concert Hall (Vanemuise 6, Tartu). By invitation only