President Karis says foreign policy needs balance. He says every country is different. Messages must be careful.
Karis remembers his first song festival experience. He does not remember the stage. He remembers Tartu, where he lived. He watched the festival pass his house. Later, Karis sang in Akadeemiline Emajõgi.
Karis thinks the song festival is very important for Estonians. In the 1990s, people thought the festival could disappear. Now, many people want to join. Not everyone fits on the stage.
Karis talks about divisions in society. He says some people feel left out. This is especially true for Russian speakers.
Karis thinks politicians should listen to people more. He says people worry about their future. Average numbers do not show everyone’s situation.
Karis asks if politicians understand people’s worries. Statistics show some people feel distant from society. This is especially strong among Russian speakers.
Karis talks about his wife Sirje. They have been married for almost 50 years. He says the key to a long marriage is to face hard times together. Sometimes, it is good to be apart.
Finally, Karis talks about the importance of the song festival. He says the festival is not just a big event. It should be in our hearts every day.