On Friday, 10 October 2025, representatives of the city, partners and guests gathered at the breakwater construction site in Narva-Jõesuu to take part in a ceremonial laying of a time capsule — a symbolic marker of the beginning of a new stage in the region’s development.
Speeches were delivered by Maksim Iljin, Mayor of Narva-Jõesuu; Piret Hartman, Secretary General of the Social Democratic Party; security expert Andres Anvelt; entrepreneur and former politician Marko Pomerants; Tamara Lisyanskaya, who played an important role in the construction of the old breakwater; and Margus Vaim, a member of the management board of the construction company Infragreen OÜ.
In his address, Mayor Maksim Iljin emphasised that the construction of the breakwater is not merely a technical project, but part of a broader strategy aimed at developing the use of marine and inland waterways and encouraging entrepreneurship. “By implementing the breakwater project, we are opening a new chapter in the development of Narva-Jõesuu — one that was previously out of reach. We are opening the city’s gateway to Europe,” Iljin noted.
In his address, Mayor Maksim Iljin emphasised that the construction of the breakwater is not merely a technical project, but part of a broader strategy aimed at developing the use of marine and inland waterways and encouraging entrepreneurship. “By implementing the breakwater project, we are opening a new chapter in the development of Narva-Jõesuu — one that was previously out of reach. We are opening the city’s gateway to Europe,” Iljin noted.
Mayor of Narva-Jõesuu Maksim Iljin together with students of the Narva-Jõesuu sailing school. Photo: Anna Markova
Andres Anvelt emphasised the importance of cooperation and readiness for joint action, noting that safe and well-planned infrastructure forms the foundation of a sustainable community: “A relationship of trust between a stable and goal-oriented local government and the state has made the historic revival of the Narva-Jõesuu breakwater possible. The new breakwater is an achievement not only for Narva-Jõesuu, but for the entire region and for Estonia as a whole — something we can all be proud of,” Anvelt said.
Margus Vaim, representing the main contractor, assured that the builders’ goal is to create durable infrastructure that will serve the city and the entire Ida-Viru waterway network for decades: “Our aim is to ensure that the new breakwater is safe, environmentally responsible and resilient even in harsh weather conditions. We seek to combine modern engineering expertise with the needs of the local community, providing safe access to waterways and creating new quality and value for the port area,” Vaim stated.
The laying of a time capsule at the foundation of the Narva-Jõesuu breakwater. Photo: Anna Markova
The time capsule, which became the focal point of the ceremony, was filled with a letter addressed to future generations, two newspapers — one recent issue and another published on the day the construction contract was signed — a commemorative coin “Estonian Book – 500 Years”, the general layout of the breakwater from the construction project, a press release, as well as a letter and a pennant from the children of the Narva-Jõesuu Yacht Club. The Police and Border Guard Board also placed a message for future generations inside the capsule, highlighting the importance of safety and cooperation in the development of waterways.
Young members of the Narva-Jõesuu Yacht Club took part in the laying of the time capsule together with the mayor, symbolising continuity between generations and a shared focus on the future. Musical accompaniment for the ceremony was provided by musicians from the Popside brass band. After the official part of the event, participants had the opportunity to visit the construction site and learn more about the progress of the works, as well as to visit the Narva-Jõesuu lighthouse.
The reconstruction of the breakwater is part of the project “Development of the Waterway and Tourism Network of the Ida-Viru Region”, which aims to strengthen maritime and tourism cooperation in the region, create an integrated network of waterways and ports, and expand opportunities for entrepreneurship.
The laying of the time capsule is carried out within the framework of the “Development of the Waterway and Tourism Network of the Ida-Viru Region” project, which is financed by the EU Cohesion Policy Fund under the measure “An Attractive Regional Environment for Entrepreneurship and Living”, by the Programme for the Implementation of Regional Development Strategies, and by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund under the measure “Investments in Fishing Ports 2021–2027”.
The laying of the time capsule is carried out within the framework of the “Development of the Waterway and Tourism Network of the Ida-Viru Region” project, which is financed by the EU Cohesion Policy Fund under the measure “An Attractive Regional Environment for Entrepreneurship and Living”, by the Programme for the Implementation of Regional Development Strategies, and by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund under the measure “Investments in Fishing Ports 2021–2027”.
