Estonian entrepreneur Vello Enniste: I like today's Estonia

At a reception held in the Rose Garden, entrepreneur Vello Enniste shared a positive assessment of present-day Estonia, noting that the country's development has been remarkably even and balanced. Speaking on ETV, he said he was pleasantly surprised by how things have turned out. Addressing the common complaint that Estonia is expensive, he referenced a saying attributed to Nublu — that one can always simply buy half a ticket.

Enniste also touched on entrepreneurship and the challenge of engaging young people in it. He explained that attracting youth to business is not easy, since they can clearly see how demanding and difficult the field is, which often makes them reluctant to take the first step.

Columnist praises the president's speech

Columnist Tarmo Juristo, also present, offered a strongly positive view of the president's address, describing it as powerful both in its rhetoric and its imagery, forming a coherent and well-received whole. He noted that the speech opened with a forward-looking perspective and devoted considerable attention to young people, adding that it was gratifying to see Iceland's president immediately pick up on that same theme.

Juristo observed that presidential speeches always carry the risk of giving in to the ambition of delivering a "historic" address, but a president has the freedom to choose what truly matters — and focusing on youth, he said, was the right choice.

Juristo further suggested that August 20 could serve as a day to be grateful for what the country has achieved, noting that, looking at the bigger picture, things are actually going very well overall.