Happy birthday Ukraine! 

Maidan... there may only be someone somewere in the jungles in Africa who hasn't heard the term. For the rest of the world, I think recognition is instant. Maidan... what started as a peaceful demonstration has evolved into something so powerful it shook the very foundations of contemporary human society. It ripped off the mask of fake benevolency from one side, Russia (though many didn't believe it to start with), unhiding the insanely aggressive beast. It revealed the complacency, inertia and outright stupidity of many world leaders, all with their „deep concerns” and inability for decisive and coordinated action. It divided families, people, nations and countries. But it also has shown us, that in this world imbued with individualism still some ideals and values exist, as do brave men and women ready to die for them. Not for some fuhrer or president or ideology, but for the better future. There are many who still believe that Maidan was or is some Ukrainian „thing” that has nothing to do with them. They are wrong. Maidan is a „thing” for everybody. Maidan is about freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom to decide what's best for the country, for the nation, for an individual. Freedom is such a universal value, be it from schoolyard bully, or from manipulative fellow worker, or from the lying acquaintance, or from a bullying and manipulative and lying government, it can't be limited to Ukraine. Maidan is Everymen, Maidan is what we are deep within. Maidan is what makes us human. Some say (and we know where it originates from), that Maidan equals extremism, or fascism, hatred unleashed. But then tell me, where is extremism in people willing to live without corruption? What has fascism to do with people fighting for their home country against a foreign aggressor? And who actually is the culprit for the hatred in their hearts, when one country wantonly unleashed the violence to stop its smaller neighbor from finding some new friends? That so, if that's what makes one extremist and fascist, I personally am more than willing to be the biggest fascist in the world. Maidan is about hope. Maidan is about being ready to fight for one's hopes and dreams, truth and ideals. Maidan is not about Ukraine, it is not a place, it is what we are, all of us standing with Ukrainians under different flags around the Globe. That's why I'm not saying „Happy birthday Maidan.” But during past months we have witnessed the birth of a great nation, tough as nails, determined, bold, defiant and wise, and thus I say once again: „Happy birthday Ukraine!” Greetings from Estonia!