‘Woe from Stones’: Commemoration, Identity Politics and Estonia's ‘War of Monuments’

Abstract

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the start of Estonia's 'Singing Revolution'. Looking back on these events, one is reminded not least of the important role that the reappearance of Estonian national symbols had in galvanizing the mass movement for independence. Here one thinks

Identity and Integration of Russian Speakers in the Baltic States: A Framework for Analysis

“…Finally, they define identity integration as focusing on 'ethnic and national self-identifications. ' (2011: 78-79) 5 For detailed accounts see Brüggemann & Kasekamp (2008) and Smith (2008). 6 The wage gap in Estonia was 16% and 9% in Lithuania 7 For a debate on this issue see Hughes (2005b) and Muižnieks (2005).…”

The meaning of “late socialism”: analyzing Estonians’ post-communist memory culture

“…One community-mainly, but not exclusively the Russian speaking community in Estonia-sees it as a victory, but for others the end of war marks a continuing occupation. Vivid examples of different understandings of the past in Estonia are the events around the "War of statues" in 2004-2007, including the relocation of the Soviet-era Bronze solider statue in Tallinn in 2007, with much disagreement between different Estonian communities (Brüggemann 2008;Brüggemann and Kasekamp 2008;Smith 2008;Lehti et al 2010). On the meaning of the Second World War in Estonian memory culture see Kõresaar 2007 and Kõresaar forthcoming.…”

The Bronze Soldier: Identity Threat and Maintenance in Estonia

“…As the descriptions of the chain of events that directly resulted in removal of the statue and its subsequent relocation are easily attainable (see Brüggemann & Kasekamp 2008;Lehti et al 2008;Smith 2008), I will only provide a short account here.…”

“…The hollow for the eternal flame was removed, and the central position of the monument on the square was reduced by replacing the direct access paths to the monument with a diagonal sidewalk across the 140 JOURNAL OF BALTIC STUDIES square and by planting new trees to close the square. The commemorative text on the statue (Eternal glory for the heroes who have fallen for the liberation and sovereignty of our country [Igavene au langenud kangelastele, kes on langanud meie maa vabastamise ja sõltumatuse eest]) was replaced by a more neutral one (For the fallen in the Second World War [Teises maailmasõjas hukkunutele]) (Smith 2008;Tamm & Halla 2008, p. 43).…”