The First Lady of Estonia attended the screening of the Yellow-Blue Butterflies film about Ukrainian children deported by Russia

On World Children’s Day, 20 November, the First Lady of Estonia and member of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform, Sirje Karis, attended the screening of the short film Yellow-Blue Butterflies. The film was shown within the framework of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), whose theme this year was ‘Standing with Ukraine’. As part of the screening, the audience also saw the dance duet ‘Wings’ by Ukrainian choreographer Yaroslav Kainar, as well as the video performance ‘Gloria’ by Ukrainian composer Roman Grygoriv, which incorporates remnants of missiles that Russia has used to strike Ukrainian cities.

Sirje Karis stressed that Estonia is making every effort to help return home the Ukrainian children deported by Russia. ‘No child should ever be used as a weapon of war, and every child must be safely returned to their homes in Ukraine’, she said.

According to her, Estonia continues to support Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance, contributing to reconstruction, and strengthening communities. Sirje Karis noted that Estonia will make the advancement and protection of children’s rights one of its priorities during its membership of the UN Human Rights Council in 2026–2028.

‘We devote particular attention to eliminating all forms of violence against children, to ensuring access to quality education, and to safeguarding children both in armed conflicts and in the digital environment. This is both our opportunity and our obligation: to stand up for the rights of those who cannot defend themselves. This is also why we support children and families in Ukraine, and why we work tirelessly to ensure that the children deported to Russia can return to their homeland’, she emphasised.
The First Lady of Estonia also visited the exhibition of children’s drawings ‘Colours that Bring Life Back’, organised with the support of the Children of Heroes Charity.

The Yellow-Blue Butterflies international initiative was created to raise awareness about Ukrainian children unlawfully deported to Russia and deprived of their right to a free and peaceful life in Ukraine. The screening in Tallinn marked the first in a series of events aimed at highlighting Russia’s egregious violations of the rights of Ukrainians.

Photos: Karolin Viikoja