In Tallinn, a ceremony was held at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Maarjamäe, where wreaths were laid. Speeches in memory of the victims of the deportation were delivered by Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta, Chair of the Board of the Estonian Memento Society Arnold Aljaste, and Czech Ambassador David Král as the Dean of the Tallinn Diplomatic Corps. Ambassador Král referred to the events of March 1949 as a ruthless act of Soviet social engineering, aimed at subduing the resistance in the illegally occupied Baltic states. He highlighted that, although the deportations failed to break the Estonian spirit, they left deep wounds in the lives of many families, separating them from their homes and loved ones. The Ambassador praised the strong connection Estonians have with their homeland and nature and emphasized that Estonia is doing everything in its power to protect its freedom and security by increasing defence spending and being a member of NATO. He also drew attention to the ongoing global humanitarian crisis, citing the example of the war in Ukraine and forced migration in many parts of the world, which has led to 120 million refugees worldwide. In conclusion, he commended Estonia’s efforts in the international organizations to help people who are currently facing the same tragedies as Estonians did 76 years ago.

Dean of the Tallinn Diplomatic Corpsy, Ambassador David Král.

The ceremony included a prayer by Bishop Ove Sander of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and musical interludes by Jana Kütt and Robert Rebane. One of the best entries from the "Letter to the deportees" essay competition, organized by the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory and daily newspaper Postimees, was also presented. The authors of the five best works were awarded letters of appreciation.