Monument to the War of Independence in Äksi
Memorial site
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This monument is situated by the Tartu-Jõgeva road in the village of Voldi in Tartu municipality.
Designed by Voldemar Mellik, it was unveiled on 28 June 1925. The cast-iron sculpture depicted an Estonian soldier on guard, wearing winter clothing, indicating the liberation of Äksi, which took place during that season. The statue was demolished in 1945, but the plinth remained. The monument, restored by sculptor Airike Taniloo-Bogatkin, was unveiled anew on 27 August 1989. The current bronze sculpture is an exact replica of the original, but the plinth differs by having a depiction of a sword carved into it instead of the original separate sword on the rear. It is surrounded by a grove of oak trees called the Oak Forest of Liberty, which was planted in 1925.
Used sources and references:
Eesti sõjaajaloo teejuht, Tallinn 2010. Compiled by K. Luts
National Heritage Board registry of cultural monuments. https://register.muinas.ee/public.php?menuID=monument&action=view&id=27114
