Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid (L, front) speaks at the ceremony to celebrate Estonia's 100th anniversary in Tartu, the second largest city of Estonia, June 22, 2018. Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid on Friday welcomed here five European leaders to celebrate the country's 100th anniversary. (Xinhua/Guo Chunju)

TARTU, Estonia, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid on Friday welcomed here five European leaders to celebrate the country's 100th anniversary.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Icelandic President Gudni Johannesson, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis and Polish President Andrzej Duda participated in the celebration in Estonia's second largest city Tartu, which culminates with the opening of the 18th Baltic students' song and dance festival, Gaudeamus.

Both Kaljulaid and Tartu mayor Urmas Klaas delivered welcoming remarks at Tartu town hall square surrounded by crowds of audience.

"On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, we are graced today by the presence of good friends with whom we share common values. A century ago, they, like us, went through a crucial period in the formative years of their statehood," said Kaljulaid.

The European leaders were set to visit Tartu University, science center and Estonian National Museum, greet the Gaudeamus Torch Parade, and open the Baltic student festival, which takes place alternately in every four years in one of the Baltic states.