Today, on Sunday, Eesti Looduskaitse Selts, the Estonian Society for Nature Conservation, celebrates its 50th anniversary in the Estonian National Museum with the conference ”How to uphold the nature and culture of Estonia”
On Sunday nearly 400 nature friends from all Estonian counties will gather in the Estonian National Museum to celebrate 50 years of the Eesti Looduskaitse Selts together.
ELKS was founded on November 4th, 1966, on the initiative of prominent naturalist and culture personality Jaan Eilart and developed into a notable national movement for protection of Estonian nature and culture.
Founders of the society included for instance Friedebert Tuglas, Fred Jüssi, Veljo Tormis, Voldemar Panso, Kersti Merilaas, August Sang, Debora Vaarandi, Juhan Smuul, Endel Varep, Günther Reindorff. As the first chairman next to Jaan Eilart Edgar Tõnurist was elected. The entire list of founding members can be read here: LINK
“Estonia and the upholding of our nature and culture is as important today, 50 years later,” Jaan Riis, chairman of the Society, emphasized. “It is important that we are not gripped by alienation and fatigue, that we maintain our belief in the values which have been entrusted to us to keep.”
The conference will be opened by the Honorary Chairman of the Society, Arnold Rüütel. Geographer Taavi Pae will speak about the Estonian national landscape and symbols, publicist Kaupo Vipp discusses the theme “Is harmony with nature possible?“ and writer Valdur Mikita poses the question whether the Rail Baltic is a new chapter in the history of Estonia’s plague heritage. Editor-in-Chief of journal Akadeemia, Toomas Kiho, singer Tõnis Mägi and many others will also appear. 50 conservationists who have made outstanding contributions to the standing of the Society will be honoured for their efforts.
