Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport

In 2009, Tallinn Airport was named after President Lennart Meri to honor his memory and his contribution to the restoration of the Estonian state. Lennart Meri reconnected Estonia with the world at the end of the Cold War as an explorer, adventurer, creator, diplomat, and President of the Republic of Estonia.

As the gateway to Estonia, we help fulfill Lennart Meri’s vision

“A small nation must be more international than a large nation. A small nation must be open to the world, the culture of a small nation must be open to the world, because a closed pond easily grows clogged.”

– Lennart Meri
quoted by his son Mart Meri

Lennart Meri, born in 1929, was an Estonian politician, writer, film director, and historian, who is widely known for his contribution to the restoration of Estonian independence, and he was the President of Estonia from 1992-2001. He was also known for his geopolitical and historical knowledge and has written several books and made documentaries focusing on the history and culture of Estonia and other Finno-Ugric peoples.

Passion for travel

Lennart Meri’s interest in other cultures and countries and his desire to introduce Estonia everywhere are an example and inspiration for us.

“Traveling is the only passion that we don’t have to be ashamed of as intellectuals. Science frees us from the chains of big cities and leads us back to nature.”

– Lennart Meri
President of the Republic of Estonia

“But his longest and most magnificent journeys were not in Finland, America or Siberia, but in the world of thought and spirit. Of this I am convinced.”

– Jaak Jõerüüt
writer and diplomat

Role in the Restoration of Estonian Independence

Lennart Meri was one of the most important figures in the restoration of Estonian independence and the establishment of a democratic state. As president, he was a key figure in Estonia’s international recognition and integration into European and global structures. Meri played a key role in Estonia’s accession to the Council of Europe in 1993 and NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994. He was also the first Estonian president to officially visit many Western countries, including the United States, which helped strengthen Estonia’s diplomatic ties with the global community. Meri’s activities as Estonian president contributed to the country’s successful integration into the European Union and NATO.