This is a bas-relief portraying a soldier in the Nazi uniform. The inscription on it reads, "To Estonians who fought in 1940-1945 against Bolshevism for the restoration of Estonia's independence".
None of the officials attended the ceremony. According to local doyen Tiit Madisson who initiated the unveiling of the monument, about 2,000 people took part in the ceremony.
The news of the intention of Lihula's authorities to unveil the monument caused stormy public response.
Estonian Prime Minister Juhan Parts resolutely condemned this action calling it a provocation. Some Estonian public organizations, including the Anti-Nazi committee and the Jewish community, protested against it, as well. In particular, the Estonian united people's party defending the interests of the Russian-speaking population of Estonia, called on the authorities to prevent the monument from unveiling.
