Max Kaur, the Mayor of Mustvee: the capital of Peipus is moving steadily forward

In the recent years, Mustvee, the capital of Peipus, has made real progress with the help of the residents. The folks around here call it the 500-year-old town with two languages, three cultures and five churches.

It is no coincidence that last year the most beautiful bridge in Estonia was built exactly here. A new main building, northern quay, ramp and an impressive boat harbour were built in our port, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. The plan is to also renovate the southern quay, marina and seawall promenade in the future. 

The construction works of the lake promenade will continue, and the town pavements will be covered with beautiful paving stone. We are proud of our Peipsi Upper Secondary School, which, as of this year, is a bilingual educational institution. Our School of Music and Arts will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, and we are very pleased to say that a record number of children have decided to improve their knowledge of music and art this year. 

In the autumn, in cooperation with the Estonian Road Administration, we will start constructing a modern and safe well-lit pavement in Tartu street. Lights will be installed at the pedestrian crossings by the Mustvee Upper Secondary School and the Culture Centre, which is bound to make the journey to school safer for our children. 

Next year, in cooperation with the Estonian Road Administration, we will reconstruct the Mustvee-Tartu-Jõhvi and Jõgeva-Mustvee intersection where extra lighting will be installed to make the place safer for everyone. I am also glad to say that the Lutheran church of Mustvee has received a grand new organ. Now the residents and guests alike can enjoy organ recitals. 

We have many plans, but we can only make them come to life with the help of the residents. I would like to sincerely thank all our residents for your trust and support. Together we will accomplish a great deal!

Our Queen

It went relatively unnoticed, but Queen Elizabeth II eclipsed the record set by her foremother, Empress of India and Queen of England, Victoria. Victoria’s record reign, which lasted from 1837 until her death in 1901, and which seemed like it would never be broken, was quietly eclipsed by Elizabeth II, who shows no signs of slowing down.

Victoria’s ascension to the throne was dramatic, even though England has never had the tradition that the monarch must be male. If the monarch has no son, the crown is inherited by the nearest collateral line, regardless of whether the heir is a man or a woman. Even though Victoria’s male relatives were alive and well – and they also had their own successors – as the monarch’s closest living relative, Victoria inherited the crown. Elizabeth II earned the crown as the King’s daughter, even though the King had brothers who in turn had a number of male successors.

But who could have guessed that her reign would last longer than Victoria’s? In 1952, it would have been hard to believe. Today it is much easier to believe, since her mother, who was also named Elizabeth, lived to the age of 101. 

Long reigns are the trademark of a number of the forefathers of Elizabeth II. One of her forefathers was Peter August Friedrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, and Governor-General of Estonia. He ruled Estonia for nearly 50 years in the 18^th century. Longer than Ivan Käbin. It is astonishing that Elizabeth II married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, whose direct male line forefather was also Peter August Friedrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, and Governor-General of Estonia. Prince Philip is already 94 years old! It’s no wonder that the Queen expressed such a keen interest in visiting Tallinn; even though, as we all remember, the Queen suffered from severe back pain during her visit and underwent surgery after her trip to Estonia. As you can see, curiosity won out. From the window of the Three Sisters Hotel, in Tallinn, she saw what it was that her forefather, Peter August Friedrich, had ruled over here. 

Estonia has been ruled by other relatives of the British royal family, which makes the historic connection between our countries a strong one. May God grant many years to Elizabeth II, our Queen!