Estonian Students' Society

The association of students Estonians (Estonian Eesti Üliõpilaste Selts - ew, Latin Societas studiosorum Estonorum ) is the oldest, largest and most important Estonian fraternity. He is also the oldest non- Baltic German student fraternities in the area of present-day Estonia. Until 1936 the club was open to only students of the University of Tartu. Today, all male students of Estonian universities and colleges that are of Estonian origin, are members. Membership in the club students Estonians is awarded for life.

In tsarist Russia

Until the mid- 19th century, the study remained at the universities of Estonia and Livonia largely a privilege of the Baltic German upper classes. The German Baltic student organizations played a significant role in accordance with academic life of the Baltics, especially at the German University of Tartu since 1802. Only with the National awakening of Estonians from the mid 19th century and raising the educational attainment of the native Estonian population studied few Estonians in Tartu. Their numbers grew with time. In the spirit of a stronger Estonian consciousness they sought to establish their own student organizations on an ethnic basis.

The precursor of the association of students Estonians was 26 Märzjul. / 7 April 1870greg. in Tartu founded as a loose friendship circle. The founding members were students and eight Estonian Tartu intellectuals, among others, Andreas Kurrikoff, Heinrich Rosenthal, Hugo Treffner and Johann Voldemar Jannsen. Under the title " Kalevipoeg Evening", the group decided to get together once a week to read the Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg and to deal with Estonian history, culture and language.

1873, the members gave the name Vironia a solid club statute. First Chairman of the association was Andreas Kurrikoff. On 23 Maijul. / June 4 1881greg. was decided on the basis of the association, the establishment of the Estonian corporation Vironia. Estonians target recognition to by the German umbrella organization Chargiertenconvent ( Ch! C!), But this was opposed by the German Baltic corporations. A year later Vironia therefore refrained from official recognition as a corporation.

In 1883, the then Rector of the University of Tartu, Edward George of choice ( 1833-1890 ), the association of students officially enter Estonians under its current name as a scientific- cultural society. The club was becoming the focal point of estnischstämmigen students in the Baltics. However, the colors of the club were not allowed to be worn in public.

On June 4, 1884, the official blue-black- white flag of the association was ordained (later the Estonian national flag ) ceremonially in the parish hall of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Otepaeae. Since 1884 also the Philistines association of the club exists students Estonians.

Even after the establishment of other organizations of Estonian students ( Põhjala 1884 in St. Petersburg, corporation Vironia 1900 in Riga, corporation Fraternitas Estica 1907 in Tartu) was the EUES the most important student organization in Estonia and Nordlivland. 1902, the club house was completed in Tartu.

Estonian independence

With the proclamation of Estonia's independence in February 1918, the club remained a rallying point patriotic -minded Estonian students and Philistines. The colors of the club students Estonians were declared the Estonian national flag. On 24 November 1918 the members decided to participate " in corpore " at the Estonian War of Independence against Soviet Russia.

As of 1921, the activities of the Association over Tartu went out. He was active in Estonia and also represented in the capital Tallinn. A union of all Estonian students in the EW target of the club, however at no time. The pluralism of student organizations in Estonia remained. The EW still played the most important role in the teeth of the young academics with the young Republic of Estonia. The members of the association has held important posts in government, administration and business life.

Ban

As the activities of all student organizations in Estonia - - With the Soviet occupation of Estonia Association of Estonian students was banned on 29 July 1940. Its members were at times persecuted by the Soviet authorities and continued to work in the underground and in Western European or American exile.

Refounding

On 1 December 1988 decided a meeting in Tartu, again officially record the activities of the association in Estonia. In 1991, the University of Tartu de jure expropriated by the Soviets club house at the EW back. On February 24, 1992 the EUES the original flag from 1884 was reconveyed. In July 2009, a global meeting of members was held in Tallinn, Tartu and Otepaeae.

Appreciation

The association of students Estonians played a significant role in the formation of an Estonian national consciousness and its anchoring among the few Estonian academics of that time in the 19th century. Not without reason is the blue-black- white tricolor of EW since 1918, the national flag of the Republic of Estonia. With the state independence of Estonia in 1918 the club was a student Estonians an influential network of nationally minded and state-supportive students, professors and intellectuals. The club has retained this position until today.

Hue

Boys and old men wear a Baltic cover with the colors blue black and white, which is embroidered with a Baltic star. Young Members ( ie foxes ) wearing a blue cap with Baltic star. Boys and old men wear ribbons with the colors blue black and white without percussion. For this purpose, coat of arms rings are still worn.

Known members

• Jakob Hurt (1839-1907) - Estonian folklorist, theologian and linguist
• Indrek Tarand (born 1964 ) - Estonian politician and journalist
• Mart Laar ( born 1960 ) - Estonian politician and historian. Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 as well as 1999 to 2002. Minister of Defence since 2011