Honored Artist of the Estonian SSR

Honored Artist of the Estonian SSR ( Est. Eesti NSV teeneline kunstnik ) - an honorary title awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Estonian SSR and was one of the forms of recognition by the state and society of the merits of distinguished citizens. Established on March 31, 1941 . It was awarded to outstanding artists who particularly distinguished themselves in the development of theater, music, cinema, circus, directors, composers, conductors, accompanists, artistic directors of musical, choral, dance and other groups, other artists, musicians and performers for their high skill and assistance art development. The next degree of recognition was the awarding of the title “ People's Artist of the Estonian SSR ”, then “ People's Artist of the USSR ”.

From 1919 until the 1941 decree, the title “Honored Artist of the Republic” was awarded. It was appropriated by the collegiums of the People's Commissariat of Education of the republics, orders of the people's commissars of education, executive committees of regional and regional councils.

The first person to be awarded the title was Tiit Kuuzik , an opera singer, in 1945.
The last - in 1987, was Yun, Jaan Arturovich - a flutist.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in Estonia, the title "Honored Artist of the Estonian SSR" was replaced by the title "Honored Artist of Estonia", while taking into account the merits of citizens of the Republic of Estonia awarded state awards of the former USSR and the Estonian SSR, they retained the rights and obligations stipulated by the legislation of the former USSR and Estonian SSR on awards.