Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T14:33:22.007Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Politics of History and the “War of Monuments” in Estonia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2018

Karsten Brüggemann  and
Andres Kasekamp
Karsten Brüggemann
Affiliation:
Nordost Institut, Conventstr. 1, D-21335 Lüneburg, Germany. Email: [email protected]
Andres Kasekamp*
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, Estonia. Email: [email protected]
*
(author for correspondence)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

After darkness fell over the provincial town of Lihula on 2 September 2004, youths pelted riot police with stones. Nothing like this had ever happened before in the peaceful and orderly small Baltic State of Estonia. The police were protecting a crane and its driver sent by the Ministry of the Interior to remove a monument honouring those Estonians who fought on the German side against the Red Army during the Second World War. In the evening of 26 April 2007 demonstrators in Tallinn pelted riot police with stones and went on a rampage of smashing windows and looting. The Estonian capital had never experienced anything like this. The police were protecting the site of a monument honouring Soviet soldiers who had fought against Nazi Germany. At night, when the rioting had ceased, a crane ordered by the Ministry of Defence removed the monument.

Type
Articles
Information
Nationalities Papers , Volume 36 , Issue 3 , July 2008 , pp. 425 - 448
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Association for the Study of Nationalities 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Astrov, Aleksandr. “Liigsete sõnadeta” (Without Unnecessary Words). Eesti Päevaleht, 7 May 2007.Google Scholar
Bärenklau, Ingvar. “Pronkssõduri umber keevad rahvustevahelised pinged” (Inter-ethnic tensions swirling around the Bronze Soldier) Postimees, 22 May 2006.Google Scholar
Bell, Duncan. “Introduction. Memory, Trauma and World Politics.” In Memory, Trauma and World Politics: Reflections on the Relationship between Past and Present, edited by Bell, Duncan. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006.Google Scholar
Bell, Duncan., ed. Memory, Trauma and World Politics: Reflections on the Relationship between Past and Present. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006.Google Scholar
Birn, Ruth Bettina. Die Sicherheitspolizei in Estland 1941–1944. Eine Studie zur Kollaboration im Osten. Paderborn: Ferdinand Schöningh, 2006.Google Scholar
Bransten, Jeremy. “Estonia: The Search for Heroes Leads to a Minefield.” RFE/RL, 26 July 2002.Google Scholar
Breidecker, Volker. “Avantgarde für Europa? Der estnische Denkmalskrieg: Wie aus SS-Legionären Freiheitskämpfer werden.” Süddeutsche Zeitung, 27 August 2005, 14.Google Scholar
Brüggemann, Karsten. “Estonia and its Escape from the East: The Relevance of the Past in Russian-Estonian Relations.” In Representations on the Margins of Europe: Politics and Identities in the Baltic and South Caucasian States, edited by Darieva, Tsypylma and Kaschuba, Wolfgang. Frankfurt/New York: Campus/University of Chicago Press, 2007.Google Scholar
Budryte, Dovile. Taming Nationalism? Political Community Building in the Post-Soviet Baltic States. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2005.Google Scholar
Burch, Stuart, and Smith, David J. “Empty Spaces and the Value of Symbols: Estonia's ‘War of Monuments’ from Another Angle.” Europe-Asia Studies 59, no. 6 (2007): 913–36.Google Scholar
“Controversial Monument Returned to Owner.” The Baltic Times, 22–28 September 2005.Google Scholar
Elksne, Polina. “Amerika zamknula kol'tso” (America Closed the Circle). Telegraf, 25 September 2006.Google Scholar
“Estonia Removes SS Monument.” BBC News, 24 July 2002, 〈http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2148732.stm) (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
“Estonia Unveils Nazi War Monument.” BBC News, 20 August 2004, (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3585272.stm⟩ (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
Ezergailis, Andrew. Nazi/Soviet Disinformation about the Holocaust in Nazi-Occupied Latvia. Daugavas Vanagi: Who Are They?—Revisited. Riga: Latvijas 50 gadu okupacijas muzeja fonds, 2005.Google Scholar
Feest, David. “Histories of Violence: National Identity and Public Memory of Occupation and Terror in Estonia.” In Representations on the Margins of Europe: Politics and Identities in the Baltic and South Caucasian States, edited by Darieva, Tsypylma and Kaschuba, Wolfgang. Frankfurt/New York: Campus/University of Chicago Press, 2007.Google Scholar
Galbreath, David J. Nation-Building and Minority Politics in Post-Socialist States: Interests, Influence and Identities in Estonia and Latvia. Stuttgart: ibidem, 2005.Google Scholar
Geistlinger, Michael, and Kirch, Aksel. Estonia—A New Framework for the Estonian Majority and the Russian Minority. Vienna: Wilhelm Braumüller, 1995.Google Scholar
Gillis, John R. “Memory and Identity. The History of a Relationship.” In Commemorations: The Politics of National Identity, edited by Gillis, John R. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994.Google Scholar
Hiio, Toomas, Maripuu, Meelis, and Paavle, Indrek, eds. Estonia 1940–1945: Report of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes against Humanity. Tallinn: Estonian Foundation for the Investigation of Crimes against Humanity, 2006.Google Scholar
Illiashevich, Vladimir. “Apokalipticheskoe (pod)soznanie ili o chem molchit Bronzovoi soldat” (Apocalyptic (Sub)Consciousness or About What the Bronze Soldier Doesn't Say). Baltika, no. 1 (2007): 146–57.Google Scholar
Isberg, Alvin. Zu den Bedingungen des Befreiers. Kollaboration und Freiheitsstreben in dem von Deutschland besetzten Estland 1941–1944. Acta Universitatis Stockholmiensis, Studia Baltica Stockholmiensia 10. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 1992.Google Scholar
“Juhan Parts taunis Lihula Saksa sõduri monumenti” (Juhan Parts Condemns the Lihula German Soldier Monument). Postimees, 13 August 2004.Google Scholar
Kaasik, Peeter. “Tallinnas Tõnismäel asuv punaarmeelaste ühishaud ja mälestusmärk” (The Red Army Common Grave and Memorial at Tõnismägi in Tallinn). Akadeemia 18, no. 9 (2006): 1891–1918.Google Scholar
Kasekamp, Andres. “Extreme Right Parties in Contemporary Estonia.” Patterns of Prejudice 37, no. 4 (2003): 401–14.Google Scholar
Kiselev, Evgenii. “Vsia Pravda” (The Whole Truth). (http://www.gazeta.ru/coluWhole Truthmn/kiselev/1669490.shtml) (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
Kivimäe, Juta, and Virve, Tõnu. “Pronkssõdur—skulptuur, mida karistatakse valusa mineviku eest” (The Bronze Soldier—The Sculpture that is Punished for a Painful Past). Eesti Päevaleht, 23 April 2007.Google Scholar
Kolb, Matthias. “Looking for the Truth behind Lihula.” The Baltic Times, 27 April 2005.Google Scholar
Koselleck, Reinhart. “Die Transformation der politischen Totenmale im 20. Jahrhundert.” Transit. Europäische Revue, no. 22 (Winter 2001/2002): 59–86.Google Scholar
Kressa, Jaanika. “Kurat, mis riik see on?” (What state is this?). Kultuur ja Elu, no. 3 (2004).Google Scholar
Krysin, Mikhail. Pribaltiiskii fashizm. Istoriia i sovremennost' (Baltic Fascism. History and Present). Moscow: Veche, 2007.Google Scholar
Kultuur ja Elu. “Mis riik see on, kus ühel pojal on obelisk lilledes, teisel mutta trambitud haud?” (What State is This, Where One Son has an Obelisk with Flowers and the Other a Mud-Trampled Grave?). Kultuur ja Elu, no. 3 (2003).Google Scholar
Kultuur ja Elu. “Muuseumisse pandud ajalugu” (History Put into Museums). Kultuur ja Elu, no. 3 (2005).Google Scholar
Ladõnskaja, Viktoria. “Notsnoi Dozor” (Night Watch). Eesti Ekspress, 1 June 2006.Google Scholar
Lauristin, Marju, and Heidmets, Mati, eds. The Challenge of the Russian Minority: Emerging Multicultural Democracy in Estonia. Tartu: Tartu University Press, 2002.Google Scholar
Lobjakas, Ahto. “Estonia: RFE/RL Correspondent Reflects on a Divided Country.” RFE/RL, 11 May 2007, 〈http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/05/72062edb-9f0c-4b16-869c-02a40b34e27e.html⟩ (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
Madisson, Tiit. Maailma uus kord. Judaistide ja vabamüürlaste varjatud tegevus rahvaste ning riikide allutamise (The New World Order. The Secret Activities of Jews and Freemasons to Control Nations). Lihula: Ortwill, 2004.Google Scholar
Meyers, Steven Lee. “Cyberattacks on Estonia Stir Fears of ‘Virtual War.'” International Herald Tribune, 18 May 2007.Google Scholar
Moiseenko, Iurii: “V Estonii prodolzhaiut koketnichat's fashizmom” (They Continue to Flirt with Fascism in Estonia). Novaia Gazeta, no. 63, 30 August 2004.Google Scholar
Nora, Pierre. “From lieux de mémoire to Realms of Memory.” In Realms of Memory: Rethinking the French Past, Vol. 1, edited by Lawrence D. Kritzman. New York: Columbia University Press, 1996.Google Scholar
Onken, Eva-Clarita. Demokratisierung der Geschichte in Lettland. Staatsbürgerliches Bewuβtsein und Geschichtspolitik im ersten Jahrzehnt der Unabhängigkeit. Hamburg: Reinhold Krämer, 2003.Google Scholar
Onken, Eva-Clarita. “The Baltic States and Moscow's 9 May Commemoration: Analysing Memory Politics in Europe.” Europe-Asia Studies 59, no. 1 (2007): 23–46.Google Scholar
Onken, Eva-Clarita. “The Politics of Finding Historical Truth: Reviewing Baltic History Commissions and their Work.” Journal of Baltic Studies 38, no. 1 (2007): 109–16.Google Scholar
“Peaministri soolo: pronksõduri saaga viis Reformierakonna tippu” (The Prime Minister's Solo: The Bronze Soldier Saga Took the Reform Party to the Top). Eesti Päevaleht, 2 June 2007.Google Scholar
Pettai, Vello. “Narratives and Political Development in the Baltic States: History Revised and Improvised.” Ab Imperio 5, no. 1 (2004): 405–33.Google Scholar
“Press Statement and Answers to Questions during the Joint Press Conference with President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and German Chancellor Angela Merkel Following the Russia-European Union Summit Meeting, Samara, 18 May 2007,” 〈http://www.delrus.ec.europa.eu/en/images/iText_pict/10/Transcript.doc⟩ (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
Puidet, Asso. “Lihula mälestusmärki avas paar tuhat inimest” (A Couple of Thousand People Attend Unveiling of Lihula Monument). Pärnu Postimees, 21 August 2004.Google Scholar
“Putin Address to Nation: Excerpts.” BBC News, 25 April 2005, 〈http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4481455.stm⟩ (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
“Putin dal sovet Anglii” (Putin Gave England Advice). Vzgliad, 25 July 2007, 〈http://www.vz.ru/politics/2007/7/25/96480.html⟩ (accessed 12 January 2008).Google Scholar
Putin, Vladimir. “Poslanie Federal'nomu Sobraniiu Rossiiskoi Federatsii,” 25 April 2005, 〈http://www.kremlin.ru/appears/2005/04/25/1223_type63372type63374type82634_87049.shtml⟩ (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
Ruutsoo, Rein. “Sõjamüütide pantvangid (Hostages of War Myths).” Eesti Päevaleht, 12 August 2004.Google Scholar
Smith, David J. Estonia: Independence and European Integration. London: Routledge, 2002.Google Scholar
Smith, Graham. “Post-Colonialism and Borderland Identities.” In Nation-Building in the Post-Soviet Borderlands: The Politics of National Identities, edited by Smith, Graham. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.Google Scholar
Solov'ev, Vladimir. “Mezhduestonitsa” (Internecine Quarrelling in Estonia). Kommersant Vlast', no. 17 (721), 7 May 2007, 〈http://www.kommersant.ru/k-vlast/get_page.asp?DocID=763742⟩ (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
Strauss, Mati, ed. Vabadussõja mälestusmärgid I (War of Independence Monuments I). Keila: M. Strauss, 2002.Google Scholar
Taagepera, Rein. Estonia: Return to Independence. Boulder, CO: Westview, 2003.Google Scholar
Taagepera, Rein. “Palusalu loovutajad” (Palusalu's Relinquishers). Postimees, 2 June 2006.Google Scholar
Taagepera, Rein. “Pronksmehe holm” (The Bronze Man's Embrace). Eesti Päevaleht, 24 May 2006.Google Scholar
Tammer, Enno. “‘Õhkijamemm’: kaua me seda pronkssõdurit kardame!” (“Bomb-Granny”: How Long Will We Fear the Bronze Soldier!). Postimees, 21 May 2006.Google Scholar
Titma, Mikk, and Rämmer, Andu. “Estonia. Changing Value Patterns in a Divided Society.” In Democracy and Political Culture in Eastern Europe, edited by Klingemann, Hans-Dieter, Fuchs, Dieter, and Zielonka, Jan. London and New York: Routledge, 2006.Google Scholar
Todorov, Tzvetan. Hope and Memory: Lessons from the Twentieth Century. London: Atlantic, 2003.Google Scholar
Troebst, Stefan. Postkommunistische Erinnerungskulturen im östlichen Europa. Bestandaufnahme, Kategorisierung, Periodisierung. Wroclaw: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wroclawskiego, 2005.Google Scholar
Tulviste, Peeter. “History Taught at School Versus History Discovered at Home: The Case of Estonia.” European Journal of Psychology of Education 9 (1994): 121–26.Google Scholar
Tulviste, Peeter, and Wertsch, James V. “Official and Unofficial Histories: The Case of Estonia.” Journal of Narrative and Life History 4 (1994): 311–29.Google Scholar
“Venelaste arvates astus Eesti 1940. aastal vabatahtlikult NSVLi” (Russians Believe that Estonia Joined the USSR Voluntarily in 1940). Postimees, 21 May 2007.Google Scholar
Verdery, Katherine. The Political Lives of Dead Bodies: Reburial and Post-Socialist Change. New York: Columbia University Press, 1999.Google Scholar
Vihalemm, Triin. “Oma õigust taga ajades teist poolt ei kuule” (Not Hearing the Other Side While Demanding One's Own Rights). Eesti Päevaleht, 5 May 2007.Google Scholar
Vihalemm, Triin, and Masso, Anu. “(Re)Construction of Collective Identities after the Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The Case of Estonia.” Nationalities Papers 35, no. 1 (2007): 71–91.Google Scholar
Viik, Tõnu. “Pronkssõduri konflikti loogika: lähedus jõledus hüsteeria deemon” (The Logic of the Bronze Soldier Conflict). Postimees, 26 May 2007.Google Scholar
Vilgats, Kalev. “Monumentide soda” (War of Monuments). Pärnu Postimees, 4 September 2004.Google Scholar
“The War Grave in Central Tallinn.” Estonian Government Communication Office Briefing Room, (http://www.valitsus.ee/brf/?id-282574⟩ (accessed 13 August 2007).Google Scholar
Weiner, Amir. “The Making of a Dominant Myth: The Second World War and the Construction of Political Identities within the Soviet Polity.” Russian Review 55, no. 4 (1996): 638–60.Google Scholar
Wolfe, Thomas C. “Past as Present, Myth, or History? Discourses of Time and the Great Fatherland War.” In Politics of Memory in Postwar Europe, edited by Ned Lebow, Richard, Kansteiner, Wulf, and Fogu, Claudio. Durham, NC and London: Duke University Press, 2006.Google Scholar
XI. Riigikogu stenogramm. II istungjärk. 3. detsember 2007 (Stenographic Record of the XI Parliament. II Session), 〈http://www.riigikogu.ee/?op=steno&stcommand=stenogramm&date=1196683500) (accessed 4 December 2007).Google Scholar
Zvegintsev, Valentin. “Monumental'nii fashizm” (Monumental Fascism). Moskovskii komsomolets, 23 August 2004.Google Scholar