The War of Independence Victory Column continues to be plagued with problems since it was unveiled in June 2009. Photo by Steve I.

TALLINN — The War of Independence Victory Column continues to be plagued with problems since it was unveiled in June 2009.

The Czech company Sans Souci, whose work has been roundly criticized by the Estonian government as incompetent, was forced to take down the corner moldings of the freedom monument in Tallinn a week and a half after one corner piece fell down unexpectedly.

The monument has suffered under technical problems and flaws since the beginning of its construction.

Right after it was put up it appeared that three glass panels were defective, but then two of the replacement panels arrived in wrong format. Then, three glass panels turned pink as dust managed to get in creating stains inside the panels. Finally the electrical system of the lighting broke down due to the water that seeped inside the panels, leaving the memorial in its current state.

Sans Souci is now trying to solve its problems with the help of Tallinn University of Technology engineers who completed an expert judgment on the reliability of the current glass facade. The university engineers have also completed a document with their solutions on how to ensure the reliability of the side panels.

The monument has other problems, though. The impressive lighting system has been switched off since last summer. Exactly when all the problems related to the monument will be solved is unknown.

Glass artist Meeli Kõiv told the Postimees newspaper that the glass material should have been the initial idea as the building material for the monument instead of stone.

“A piece of art is always planned based on its material,” said Kõiv, and added that glass was chosen later and “all the world’s top experts I consulted told that the glass is not as simple material as beginners may think.”

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