Three Finnish presidents attend funeral of former Estonian President Lennart Meri

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The first state funeral in Estonian history was arranged in Tallinn on March 26th for the country's former President Lennart Meri. Representatives from 45 foreign countries attended the funeral service in the Kaarli Church.
      The ecumenical service was concluded by an eulogy delivered by writer Jaan Kross, who was a longtime friend of Lennart Meri. Music by composer Arvo Pärt, another close friend, had been written for the occasion.
      After the ceremony, the funeral procession drove from the Kaarli Church towards the Kadriorg Palace. The nine flags in front of the procession symbolized the nine years of Meri's presidency.
      Representatives of academic student organisations attended at roadsides in their bright hats and carrying colourful flags. At one point, two Nato fighters flew low over the procession.
     
Finland was represented by an exceptionally prestigious delegation, including the incumbent head of the state Tarja Halonen, and the former presidents Martti Ahtisaari, and Mauno Koivisto. It was the first occasion when three such holders of the office attended such an event.
      The memorial ceremony of President Meri was held at the Foreign Art Museum in the Kadriorg Palace. Apart from Estonia's President Arnold Rüütel, the two other official speakers were President Tarja Halonen and Sweden's former Prime Minister Carl Bildt.
      Both Halonen and Bildt stressed in their addresses that for them Lennart Meri represented a new Estonia. "For us Finns, he was a fascinating cousin, a cosmopolitan and an artist. For us, he was the new Estonia", concluded Halonen, who delivered her words in Estonian.
      The funeral ceremony at the cemetery was only for the family and relatives of Lennart Meri, who wished to attend the graveside without attention from the media and the public.


Links:
  Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at the funeral of President Lennart Meri in Kadriorg, 26 March 2006

Helsingin Sanomat