BALTIC HERITAGE NETWORK

Newsletter no. 3 (24) 2018 issn: 228-3390

In this issue: • Opens Memorial in Remembrance of Victims of Communism • First Summer Course for Estonian Dance Teachers Abroad • A Book on Lithuanian-Polish Relations • Reflections of the Worldwide Estonian Societies Festival “Sajaga seltsis” • The Order for Merits to • Lithuanian and Estonian at IU Bloomington • Discussion on the Preservation of Lithuanian Identity Abroad • Ruta Karma was nominated for the BaltHerNet Conference in to Languages Award celebrate 100 years of the Baltic Republics • National Library of Lithuania at the and 10 years of our organization World Lithuanian Events in Vilnius The conference “New Beginnings of Baltic Diaspora” took place at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu from June 26-29. The conference Editor-in-Chief: Piret Noorhani Editor: Kristina Lupp was organized by the NGO Baltic Heritage Network with the help Designer: Kristina Lupp of partners including the Estonian National Museum, the Estonian The Baltic Heritage Newsletter is Literary Museum, Centre of Excellence in Estonian Studies, and the distributed quarterly, on-line. The next National Archives of Estonia. deadline for submissions is 15 November 2018. Please send all related enquiries The conference celebrated the 100th birthdays of the Republics of and submissions to Piret Noorhani: Estonia, , and Lithuania. The conference was also an opportunity [email protected] to examine the current and past experiences diaspora communities The Non-Profit Association Baltic Heritage Network was founded in Tartu on January have had opening and closing archives. The conference covered topics 11, 2008. NPA BaltHerNet was established such as creating new collections, promoting existing collections, to foster cooperation between national and questions regarding preservation and accessibility, as well as oral history private archives, museums, libraries, and institutions of research, public associations and family stories, writing memoirs, and the importance of passing and organizations collecting and studying history on to following generations. Speakers included academic the cultural heritage of the Baltic diaspora. researchers, memory institution specialists, in addition to hard-working It aims to facilitate the preservation and research of the historically valuable cultural volunteers, and representatives of diaspora community memory property of the Baltic diaspora, as well as institutions. to ensure accessibility of these materials to A total of 24 presentations were made at the Baltic diaspora gathering, the public. NPA BaltHerNet is also committed to Greetings were given by Anne-Ly Reimaa, the Head of International the organising of conferences, seminars Relations on Integration Issues at the Ministry of Culture, the Director and workshops, and to developing and of the Estonian National Museum, Alar Karis, and the President of administrating the electronic information website Baltic Heritage Network, a BaltHerNet, Piret Noorhani. The conference was opened by Uppsala multilingual electronic gateway for University professor Raimo Raag, whose opening speech focused on the information on the cultural heritage of the definitions of “new” and “old” in the context of community. Often the Baltic diaspora. development of new communities abroad gives previous generations www.balther.net within the community reason to consider the next generation to be ISSN 2228-3390

2018 n o . 3 (24) Baltic heritage network 2 new. Similarly, ethnic groups heritage of the Baltic University Kolevinskienė), and research give refugee communities their that was active in about emigration through the own names. The 19th century and Pinneberg, Germany from educational programs at the emigration that took place for 1946 to 1949. The establishment National Library of Lithuania agrarian reasons was without a of the Baltic University was (Jolanta Budriuniene). The rest of doubt very different from the incredibly important, as it was the presentations examined the migratory wave that took place very successful in poor conditions activities of Estonian diaspora during and following the Second providing scholars who had left in Australia (Inno Salasoo, Maie World War. Each new wave of the Baltic countries academic Barrow, Terry Kass/Jüri Voan), migration has been accompanied work and simultaneously in the United States of America by the renaming of the previous providing an academic education (Ave Marie Blithe) and in Canada wave. Furthermore, the alteration to young Balts in DP camps. P. (Piret Noorhani). Lectures of terminology is also recognizable Heikkilä presented a lecture about focusing on Estonian memory over time (terms used early on, questions surrounding committees institution activities surrounding such as refugee or displaced fighting to free Estonia and their diaspora included: the research persons, change over time or activities at their peak during status of Siberian Estonians (Anu disappear entirely). Therefore, the 1950s and 1960s, when the Korb), the accessibility of film the diaspora lifestyle can be relationship between the Estonian heritage on topics of diaspora considered cyclical. Proferssor American National Committee (Ivi Tomingas), the heritage of Raag found that it is interesting to and Committee for a Free Estonia literary scholar Ivar Ivask (Aija analyze the conference title with was complicated, including power Sakova), the life works of author “beginnings” plural - was there struggles and attempts to outdo and artist Gunnar Neeme (Marin one similar beginning in the Baltic each other’s actions. K. Beķere Laak), and the literary relationship diaspora or rather many different introduced questions regarding between the diaspora and the ones depending on the ethnic the legal consistency of Baltic homeland following the Second group, destinations, period of countries since the end of Second World War (Anneli Mihkelev). migration, or other reasons related World War until the restoration Representative of the “Kogu Me to the field. of national continuity at the Lugu” (Collecting Our Story) Presentations by academic beginning of the 1990s. Although project Michaela Snopkova and representatives from abroad representatives of Baltic countries Tartu University professor and included Geert Franzenburg in the free world could not direct literary scholar Tiina Ann Kirss from the University of Münster, USA politics in the direction of gave overviews of capturing life Marcus Velke from the University the Baltic countries, the activities stories. Tiina reviewed the status of Bonn, Jüri Kivimäe who has of diplomats were important for of the incredible collaborative been a longtime professor at the preservation and recognition project “Minu elu ja armastus: the University of Toronto, Pauli of national continuity. Eesti Vabariik 100” (My Love Heikkilä from the University of This time there were 5 presentations and Life: Estonia 100). The Helsinki, and Kristīne Beķere at the conference about Latvian and first day ended with Helga from the Latvian Academy Lithuanian diaspora. Presentations Merits’ documentary about the of Sciences. G. Franzenburg covered an introduction of research Geislingen DP camp, which discussed the process of done on Siberian Latvians included children’s interviews and constructive memory, memory living in Krasnoyarsk region a thorough introduction from codes, and culture identity as based on the Latvian author the author. A guided tour of the a dynamic process that has a Melanija Vanaga’s work (Liene Estonian National Museum, the strong sense of belonging. M. Salmina), today’s composition opening of the exhibit “Food: A Velke spoke about the Baltic of Lithuanians in the ethnically Treasury of Estonian Heritage. community in post-war Bonn, Latvian settlement in the Šventoji Businesses and Factories in focusing on two distinguished region (Krišs Kapenieks), Latvian Toronto,” a visit to the National Baltic exile institutions, the lecturers at the Baltic University Archives of Estonia, and the Baltic Institute for Research and (Baiba Vanaga), the activities of opening reception of the exhibit Development and the Baltic the Lithuanian Authors’ Society dedicated to Gunnar Neeme at the Christian Students Union. J. in the United States of America Estonian Literary Museum all fit into Kivimäe gave an overview of the in the 1950-1970s (Žydronė the conference program.

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The conference lectures were available via livestream for all those who were curious and soon they will be available on Youtube (use the keywords Baltic Heritage Network to search). The NGO BaltHerNet Annual General Meeting also took place during the conference period and it was decided that the Chief Archivist of the Museum of Estonians Abroad, Piret Noorhani, will continue as the President of BaltHerNet. victimised? Communist crimes Photo: Kaarel Langemets The Board of Directors was and European memory” was held grandchildren,” the President of elected: Karin Kiisk (secretary, in . the Republic said. Estonian National Museum), Vice-Presidents Kristine Bekere The memorial commemorating The opening of the Memorial (Latvian Academy of Sciences) Estonia’s victims of communism was followed by the high-level and Jolanta Budriuniene is dedicated to all Estonian people conference “Utopia unachieved (Martynas Mažvydas National who suffered under the terror despite millions victimised? Library of Lithuania), Board inflicted by the Soviet Union. The Communist crimes and European Members Maarja Merivoo-Parro names of over 22,000 people who memory”, organized by the (Tallinn University) and Birgit never returned home are inscribed Estonian Institute of Historical Kibal (National Archives of on the memorial’s name plaques. Memory, supported by the Estonia). Two honorary members They were murdered or died due Estonian Ministry of Justice were also elected: David Jacobs to inhumane living conditions and the Embassy of Germany to from the Hoover Institute in imprisonment or forced Estonia. Archives and Andris Ķesteris from resettlement and the remains of Richard Overy, the Professor of the Latvian National Federation in many of them are in unnamed History at the University of Exeter Canada. graves in unknown locations. emphasized in his keynote speech This conference was the 5th, At the memorial opening Kersti that despite that Europe is free as they have been taking place Kaljulaid, the President of the from communist regimes, the every 3 years since 2006. The next Republic of Estonia said: “Still, situation in the world is far from destination is in Vilnius in 2021. there are those who justify peaceful. “Few Europeans seem You are welcome to join us! totalitarian ideologies on various willing to acknowledge that China pretexts, and say that ideally one is a single-party authoritarian Birgit Kibal or the other is actually noble, only state that abuses human rights Estonia opens implementation has failed so far. and denies freedom of expression 30,000 sqm memorial But every totalitarian ideology is or association to around one- in remembrance by its nature an enemy of freedom, quarter of the world’s population.” of victims of and we know its high price from Through this example Mr Overy our own historical experience.” emphasized the fact that freedom communism “Democratic countries should can not be taken for granted. On 23 August, the European Day stand for the fact that hatred “Historical memory is critical and of Remembrance for victims of will never lead the decisions of it must be kept alive not only by all totalitarian and authoritarian anyone. We need to think about the dedicated work of scholars regimes, a 30,000 square meter maintaining and protecting who expose the gap between memorial was opened in Tallinn democracy and European totalitarian rhetoric and the with more than 22,000 names of moral values – citizens’ rights brutal reality, but by wider public Estonia’s victims of communism. and freedoms – from all forms engagement with the memory of On the same day a high-level of populism and extremism. victimhood through programmes international conference “Utopia Only then we can be sure about of education, public events and unachieved despite millions the future of our children and sites of remembrance,” said Mr.

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Overy. human rights against both today’s living abroad, Estonian cultural Nikita Petrov, the Vice-Chairman and future threats that arise from festivals also take place outside of of the Board of Memorial`s hostile ideologies,” Reinsalu said. Estonia. Scientific Research Centre (Russia) The government representatives From August 15-19, the first agreed with the necessity of a of the European Union member summer course for Estonian folk common culture of remembrance states, who were present at dance teachers abroad organized in Europe. “It is necessary to the meeting, also invited the by the Estonian Dance Festival create an international court for governments of other countries to Museum took place in Kihnu and communist crimes. To talk widely express their respect for all those Pärnu. The goals of the five-day about those crimes through the who fell victim to the political course were to create a functional education system,” said Mr. Petrov. terror of the totalitarian regimes web of communication between He emphasized that it has to be with the joint statement. At the the leaders of Estonian folk dance remembered that communist same time, the participants of groups abroad, pass on skills for ideologies are based on fear and the meeting expressed their the heritage and author’s dances, violence. support for the initiative of the as well as for organizing festivals, Among the speakers of the Estonian government to establish share experiences, and create conference were internationally an international museum for a plan for collaboration. The renown people, such as writer and the victims of communism in summer school program included playwright Sofi Oksanen, historian Tallinn. The representatives of skill-building tips for the main and Professor of History at the the ministries of justice and patterns of movement in folk University of Toronto Andres the ministries of foreign affairs dancing, how to prepare a group, Kasekamp, historian and Professor in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and local heritage was introduced. of History at the University of Romania, Croatia, Czech All the leaders of Estonian folk Exeter Richard Overy, Member Republic, Poland and Hungary dancing groups abroad were of the Board of Trustees of the joined the joint statement. invited to participate to make Platform of European Memory The Estonian Dance preparations for the jubilee party in 2019. and Conscience Göran Lindblad, Festival Museum historian and vice-chairman of Organized the First The summer course offered the Board of Memorial`s Scientific the Estonian Dance Festival Research Centre Nikita Petrov. Summer Course for organizers the opportunity to Estonian Dance On the same say, at the invitation survey the needs and wishes of of Minister of Justice Urmas Teachers Abroad the Estonian folk dance groups Reinsalu, the government abroad. Important information representatives of European about the repertoire, workshops by Union countries gathered in Estonian dance mentors, and tips Tallinn to adopt a joint statement on how to acquire folk costumes to commemorate the victims was shared. A visit to the Kihnu of communism and to support Museum took place and a concert the initiation of the Estonian by the ensemble Kihnumua at government to establish an the Mõnu farm was attended. In international museum of the Pärnu, the summer course took crimes of communism in Tallinn. Estonian folk dance groups place in the new auditorium at Paikuse Elementary School, where “It is noteworthy that the abroad have played a large role in introducing Estonian culture to the group met the Anna Raudkats representatives of eight countries Dance Society and enjoyed their demand the continuation of the world. In 2014, 14 groups from various countries participated in concert. In the evening, the open- investigations into communism’s air performance “Saja-aastane öö” crimes. It is clear that investigating the Estonian Dance Festival in Tallinn. There are 31 folk dance (100-Year-Old Night) was enjoyed totalitarian regimes and at Vallikääru in Pärnu. acknowledging their hostility is a groups from 16 different countries shared responsibility of Europe. applying to participate in the 2019 The jubilee dance festival and pre- Together, we can protect the XX Estonian Dance Festival. In festival activities were introduced achieved freedom, democracy, and collaboration with compatriots to the course participants by the

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Estonian Folk Dance and Folk 2-3 years. A total of 43 dance Summary and Music Chairman Kalev Järvela, the teachers and group representatives Reflections of the Estonian Dance Festival Director participated in the summer course Worldwide Estonian Vaike Rajaste, and the leaders from ten different countries: Societies Festival of different types of folk dance Finland, Sweden, USA (Portland), groups Erika Põlendik, Agne Canada, Holland, Ireland, “Sajaga seltsis” (In Kurrikoff-Herman, Karin Soosalu, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Companionship with and Rauno Zubko. Folklorist and the Czech Republic. 100) Ingrid Rüütel introduced her Anne-Ly Reimaa In 2018, the Republic of Estonia publications on Kihnu, Muhu, and celebrates its 100th birthday cultural heritage. Anne- A Book on Lithuanian-Polish and from August 3-4 the Ly Reimaa from the Estonian Association of Estonian Cultural Ministry of Culture discussed the Relations Societies (EKSÜ) organized goals of the Compatriots Program a festival “Sajaga seltsis” (In and their methods of support Companionship with 100) for Estonian cultural collectives to celebrate at the Estonian abroad. Erika Põlendik held a National Museum in Tartu. The master class for the participants festival brought together cultural on the main dance steps of people from Latvia, the Suetuk Estonian folk dancing and tips on region, Krasnoyarsk region, St. how to teach them. The Estonian Petersburg, the Crimea, Kiev, Folk Dance and Folk Music dance The author Dr. Giedrė Milerytė- London, Toronto, Luxembourg, mentor Tiiu Pärnits introduced Japertienė is signing her book. Melbourne, Portland, Moscow, Pärnu county’s heritage dances Photo: National Library of Lithuania. Minsk, Finland, Tver, and Belarus. and folk costumes. Additionally, On July 4, Dr. Giedrė Milerytė- Tiit Rosenberg opened the first a handicraft morning took place Japertienė, the head of the discussion group “Societies as the where jewelry artists Kairi Himma Lithuanian Studies Unit of the Keepers of Estonianness Yesterday, and Jüri Urb taught participants Documentary Heritage Research Today, and Tomorrow” by giving how to make strings of beads and Department at the National an overview of Estonian societies necklaces to go with folk costumes Library of Lithuania, presented throughout Estonian history. and how to consider special her monograph “Imagining Tiina Kirss, Anne-Ly Reimaa, regional features when making Lithuanian-Polish Relations in Vera Oinets, and Rein Taagepera jewelry. Emigration from 1945 to 1990.” also presented on topics about Estonian folk dance groups The monograph examines the Estonian society activities all over abroad have played a large role in fifty-year Lithuanian-Polish the world. introducing Estonian culture to relations in emigration – real During the first discussion group the world. In 2014, 14 groups from contacts as well as ideas, cultivated the book about the Estonian various countries participated in private intellectual gatherings, World Council (ÜEKN) that in the Estonian Dance Festival which marked mutual cooperation will be published in September in Tallinn. There are 31 folk or provoked hatred. It also was introduced along with the dance groups from 16 different highlights a wide debate in the upcoming ESTO festival taking countries applying to participate press about the future of Lithuania place in Estonia next year. in the upcoming Estonian Dance and Poland, and the attempts to Festival. Therefore, an important answer the question: What ideas In the second discussion group point of discussion at the summer and who in particular resulted in various workshops took place: course was creating connections today’s harmonious relationship of Preserving the History of between Estonian folk dance the two neighboring countries? Societies (Kärt Summatavet), leaders abroad. Collaborations Between Societies The book will be soon published (Ants Johanson), Estonianness The goal of the Estonian Dance in Poland. The monograph was on This Side and That Side of the Festival Museum is to bring financially supported by the Border (Liina Miks), Estonian the leaders of Estonian Dance Research Council of Lithuania and Cultural Heritage – How Do We groups abroad together and offer published by the National Library Preserve It (Monika Tomingas), them additional training every of Lithuania. 2018 n o . 3 (24) Baltic heritage network 6

Country day took place on August summer language course is the 5, the day when societies from first chance to get acquainted with abroad visited our societies. The Lithuania and its people, since Muuga MNS Eha hosted the St. they have only heard about this Petersburg Estonian Cultural country from their grandparents Society (folklore group Neevo) or great-grandparents. However, and the Narva-Jõesuu Estonian there is a substantial group of Society Kalju hosted the Estonian students who have been returning Society Pääsuke (Belarus Estonian to the summer language course in Media and Society Activities – Society ensemble Vaaks). Vilnius. How to Get on Screen (Katrin Liina Miks Lithuanian and Uuspõld), Funding Society Discussion on the Estonian at IU Activities and Society Economic Bloomington Activities (Kadri Pau). After the Preservation of workshops concluded, the leaders Lithuanian Identity For the third year in a row, summarized them. The discussion Abroad an intensive Lithuanian and groups were moderated by Iivi Estonian language course Zajedova from the Czech Estonian returned to the University of Club. Indiana Bloomington (USA). This August 4 was the festival party day, summer, eight students enrolled which began with the opening of in the course: three in Estonian exhibits by the Forest University in class and five in Lithuanian class, Canada and the London Estonian offered by the Baltic Studies Society at the Estonian National Summer Institute (BALSSI). Museum. This was followed by a The discussion drew a huge crowd. BALSSI was founded in 1994 parade to the museum park where Photo: National Library of Lithuania. and is currently funded by an oak tree was planted in honour The debate about emigration, the a consortium of American of the activities of societies. Lithuanian identity crisis and universities: Indiana University, Reet Piiri led a presentation of global Lithuania is still ongoing Stanford University, University of folk costumes. The party square in Lithuania. On August 14, 2018, California-Berkeley, University of also had a number of workshops, the National Library of Lithuania Illinois, University of Pittsburgh, a handicraft sale, and society book hosted a discussion about how to University of Texas, University stalls. Keepers of the Estonian preserve Lithuanian identity in the of Washington, and University of language and spirit came to world organized by the Center of Wisconsin-Madison. At Indiana perform on the song and dance Lithuanian Language and Culture. University, BALSSI is held in conjunction with the Summer stage from all over the world: Every summer in August, the Language Workshop and benefits Estonian Folks and the London Center organizes a month- from the Workshop’s long Estonian Society Folk Dance long Lithuanian language experience as a leader in intensive Group, St. Petersburg folklore and culture course. Almost summer language instruction and group Neevo, Belarus Estonian 100 students – from China to programming. In the past, BALSSI Society ensemble Vaaks, the Argentina – participate in this folklore group Kaval Käsi (Clever summer’s course. Some students Hand), character dance group are of Lithuanian descent, while Salome, folk dance group Linda, others, and there are many of folk song ensemble Liiso, the them, want to study Lithuanian Rakke Regi song group, ensembles language because of their deep Allikabänd and Lüüra, folk dance interest in Lithuanian culture. group Kajaks with Kupparimuori Vilma Leonavičienė, the director and accordionist Ants Habakukk. of the Center, noted that every The day was led by Tiina Kosen participant has an exciting story and Ülle Kool played accordion at about his relation to Lithuania The Estonian class is learning how to make the folk party. to tell. For some students the open-face sandwiches. Photo: BALSSI archives.

2018 n o . 3 (24) Baltic heritage network 7 was hosted by the IU Summer in the 1990’s and to return to their Language Workshop in 1998, homeland.” 1999, 2005, 2006, 2016, and 2017. The exhibition is aimed to Next year BALSSI will celebrate highlight the life of each of the its 25th anniversary. The program three activists. Although, all three will offer all three languages, men were concerned with political Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian, and social issues, at the same time and will take place at IU they were family persons. The Bloomington. The opening of the exhibition “Three fight for homeland’s freedom, Friends: Damušis, Kazickas and the most significant moments in The Order for Merits Ambrozaitis” one’s professional and public life, to Lithuania Photo: National Library of Lithuania. organized a series of events. and most importantly, the great joy of being able to return to free On June 15, an exhibition “Three Lithuania, are other important Friends: Damušis, Kazickas and milestones of the exhibition. Ambrozaitis” was opened in the National Library of Lithuania. The opening of the exhibition was One of the main organizers of followed by a two-day conference the series, the director of Adolfas “The Fight for Freedom and Damušis Democracy Studies the Lithuanian Diaspora: Dr. Dalia Cidzikaitė. Centre, Vidmantas Valiušaitis, Legacy, Present Concerns and Photo: National Library of Lithuania noted, “All three were the children Expectations.” On July 6, 2018 Dr. Dalia of the independent Republic of RUta Karma was Cidzikaitė, senior researcher of Lithuania: during that time, they nominated for the the Lithuanian Studies Unit of were raised, grew up, received Languages Award Documentary Heritage Research an education, and distinguished In an official ceremony at the Department at the National themselves. Their youth coincided National Library of Latvia on 21 Library of Lithuania, was awarded with the fate of Lithuania, which August 2018, the Foreign Minister the Order for Merits to Lithuania. was being devastated by Soviet of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, The award is presented by the and Nazi occupations. Therefore, together with the Foreign Minister President of Lithuania. Dalia is one of the most striking links of Estonia, Sven Mikser, presented a former editor-in-chief of the connecting them was the translator Rūta Karma with the American-Lithuanian newspaper resistance to the occupation Latvian and Estonian Languages “Draugas,” since 2014, she is the regimes of 1940-1944, the Award for her translation of a representative of the Lithuanian commitment to freedom, and the novel “Varjuteater” (Shadow American Community, Inc. in consistent and enduring struggle Theatre) by Estonian writer Viivi Lithuania. for democratic Lithuania in 1944- 1990. They were lucky to succeed Luik. The Three Friends: professionally in the West, to Edgars Rinkēvičs thanked Rūta Damušis, Kazickas witness Lithuania’s independence Karma for introducing a number and Ambrozaitis of Estonian literature masterpieces In commemoration of the to Latvian readers over the years. anniversaries of the three Both ministers unanimously prominent Lithuanian émigré agreed that the award has become activists and freedom fighters, a well-established tradition scientist Adolfas Damušis, which enables both neighbouring philanthropist Juozas Petras nations to get to know each other Kazickas and doctor Kazys even better. Sven Mikser also Ambrozaitis, the Martynas praised the laureate’s important The participants discussed various topics contribution to building a bridge Mažvydas National Library of related to the Lithuanian diaspora and its Lithuania, Adolfas Damušis relationship with the homeland. between the cultures of Estonia and Latvia. Democracy Studies Centre and Photo: National Library of Lithuania. the Kazickas Family Foundation

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The National Library Magnus University), Marija of Lithuania at the Antanavičiūtė (Lithuanian Lithuanian Events in Youth Association in the UK), Vilnius Dovas Lietuvninkas (Lithuanian American Community, Inc.), Thousands of Lithuanians Irena Kowalewska (Lithuanian living abroad came to Lithuania Students’ Club Abroad), Rimas to celebrate country’s 100 Leonavičius (Uruguayan anniversary of independence this Lithuanian Community), The award ceremony took place summer. The National Library Sandra Bernotaitė (editor-in- during the first joint meeting of the of Lithuania participated in and chief of the magazine “The Latvian and Estonian Governments organized and hosted several World Lithuanian”), Dr. Darius on 21 August in Riga. events. Udrys (Vilnius University), and This is the ninth time that the On July 1, the Lithuanian Studies Prof. Egidijus Aleksandravičius Foreign Ministries of Latvia Unit of the Documentary (Vytautas Magnus University) and Estonia are presenting their Heritage Research Department discussed questions: What award. Over the years, the award presented its travelling exhibition defines world Lithuanian youth? has been received not only for “Lithuanian Publishing in Post- Are world Lithuanian youth, prose and poetry translations, WWII Europe” as part of the emigrants and diaspora identical? but also for academic translations event “100 Faces of Lithuania Do students who study abroad and dictionaries. The aim of the – Let’s Connect Lithuania” in constitute diaspora? and etc. Languages Award is to strengthen Vilnius City Hall Square. The Vladas Oleinikovas, the chairman bilateral cooperation between exhibition reflects the situation of the World Lithuanian Youth both countries by promoting the of Lithuanians in the displaced Association, led the discussion. learning and use of the Latvian persons’ camps in Western On the same day, the National and Estonian languages, the work countries after WWII. Library of Lithuania hosted of Latvian-Estonian and Estonian- On July 9, the representatives of another event – the presentation Latvian translators in translating the World Lithuanian University of the book “History of Lithuania. literary, political, scientific and at Vytautas Magnus University From Medieval Kingdom to other texts, and the work of and the World Lithuanian Modern Democracy.” The book Latvian and Estonian linguists Youth Association invited was written and published by and teachers who contribute the members of Lithuanian American-Lithuanians. The to the promotion of Latvian in diaspora and Lithuanians publication, written in English, Estonia and Estonian in Latvia. living in the country to discuss provides yet another opportunity The monetary value of the award the changes in Lithuanian to introduce the past of Lithuanian is 3,000 euros, and the award fund diaspora’s consciousness. people to a broader audience. is made up of equal contributions Manvydas Džiaugys (Vytautas from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Estonia. The books translated by Rūta Karma also include the works of Jaan Kaplinski, Mari Saat, Mats Traat and other renowned Estonian authors. Baltic Heritage Network congratulates our long-time friend Rūta on the acknowledgment! Palju õnne, Ruuta! Apsveicu, Rūta!

The participants of the discussion about the world Lithuanian youth. Photo: National Library of Lithuania

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