On Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the House of the Knights, Prime Minister Kristen Michal, along with the Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas and the Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, presented national awards recognizing significant contributions to Estonian culture and sports. This event underscores the government’s commitment to acknowledging and celebrating excellence within the nation, particularly following the decision made on January 29 to honor individuals who have made a lasting impact in their fields.

The lifetime achievement awards in culture were awarded to Krista Kaer, Raine Karp, and Mark Soosaar, which highlights the importance of individuals who have dedicated their careers to enriching Estonia's cultural heritage. Additionally, the sports lifetime achievement awards went to Merike Rõtova and Üllar Kerde, acknowledging their remarkable contributions to Estonian sports and their role in inspiring future generations.

Furthermore, five cultural annual awards were presented to recognize exceptional works that gained public attention in the previous calendar year. This included awards for various contributors such as Hans Christian Aavik for his interpretative work, and Paavo Järvi for promoting Estonian music worldwide. Six sports annual awards were also given, including recognition for Niina Petrõkina's gold medal win in women's singles.