BALTIC HERITAGE NETWORK Newsletter no. 2 (11) 2015 issn: 228-3390 In this issue: • Events in Toronto Commemorating the March Deportations • The Voice of Aldona Stempužis Preserved for Future Generations • The Independence Quotes • Diaspora Researchers Gathered “Tracing the Baltic Road to Independence in Diaspora at the National Library of Archives”, 30 June-2 July 2015 in Latvian Academy of Sciences, Riga Lithuania A quarter of a century has passed—or is soon to pass—since the breakthrough • Alberta Estonian Heritage events which led to the restoration of the independence of the Baltic States: Society (Western Canada) the “phosphorite war”, the Heritage Movement, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Ten Years Old! AEG movement, the “”, the , the August putsch. • Memoir collection by VEMU on The path to independence did not begin at the end of the 1980s. The political the Grand Escape in 1944 struggle of the Baltic diaspora communities for the independence of the Baltic States, in opposition to the recognition of the Soviet occupation lasted A Note from the Editor: throughout the period of exile, and received new momentum in the new The submission deadline for the next issue is 1 September 2015. We welcome winds that were blowing in the homelands at the end of the 1980s. Up until news articles, conference information, the present, interest in Baltic diaspora archives and museums has mostly calls for papers, new publication coincided with interest in wartime and post-war Baltic exile. However, the information, and images. Please send Baltic diaspora archives, museums, and libraries also enable research with articles in English with high quality respect to the history of the Baltic States themselves, particularly their road to images to: restoring their independence and the state building and reconstruction in the Kristina Lupp - [email protected] post-occupation period. ______The Non-Profit Association Baltic Heritage • What was the contribution of countrymen living abroad to the maintaining of the de Network was founded in Tartu on January jure recognition of Baltic states in the West, to restoration of the independence of the 11, 2008. NPA BaltHerNet was established Baltic States, their political and economic rebuilding? to foster cooperation between national and • What kinds of campaigns were organized to preserve historic heritage and to create private archives, museums, libraries, and public interest in the Baltic cultures and history? What kind of contacts were initiated, institutions of research, public associations and organizations collecting and studying responded to, and maintained with the homeland? the cultural heritage of the Baltic diaspora. • How was the strive for freedom and the following restoration of the independence of It aims to facilitate the preservation and the Baltic States reflected in the media abroad? research of the historically valuable cultural property of the Baltic diaspora, as well as to • Which archival collections of the Baltic diaspora might pique historians` interest in ensure accessibility of these materials to the conducting research on topics of recent history? public. • What kinds of historical sources connected with the restoration of the independence NPA BaltHerNet is also committed to of the Baltic States should we be actively collecting today than we have before? How the organising of conferences, seminars and workshops, and to developing and could this be accomplished most effectively? administrating the electronic information We look forward to presentations on these (but not only these) topics from website Baltic Heritage Network, a multilingual electronic gateway for representatives of Baltic memory institutions and communities in the information on the cultural heritage of the diaspora, from professionals representing the memory institutions of the Baltic diaspora. Baltic States and host countries, and from academic researchers. The Baltic Heritage Newsletter is distributed quarterly, on-line. The newsletter is compiled Conference participation fees (includes conference folder, lunches, reception and edited by Kristina Lupp. Please send all and cultural programme): related enquiries and submissions to Kristina 30 EUR (Baltic Heritage Network members) Lupp: 50 EUR (non-members) [email protected] www.balther.net For more information, please see: www.balther.net ISSN 2228-3390

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saddening to see the current debate about the memorial to victims of communism in Ottawa. Indeed, building such a memorial would be a very important statement that what happened in the past should never happen again. The memorial would also help those peoples whose freedom is slipping away. The next speaker was Markus Hess, president of the Estonian Central Council and one of the initiators of Black Ribbon Day. He thanked those present at the conference conference, and other sponsors Events in Toronto and introduced the panelists. The (The Estonian Central Council of moderator of the panel, Göran Commemorating the March Canada, the Estonian Credit Union, Lindblad, is a former member of Deportations The Estonian Embassy in Ottawa, the Swedish Parliament and current The Finnish Embassy, The Latvian In Toronto the calendar for the end president of the Platform of European National Federation of Canada, the of March was filled with events that Memory and Conscience. recalled and commemorated the House of Anansi Press, and UpNorth victims of Soviet repressions. The Magazine). The candles were lit to core event was an international commemorate the victims of the conference entitled “Repressions deportations. and Human Rights” on March 27th, On Friday, March 27th , the where the two main guest speakers conference “Repressions and Human were Bill Browder and Sofi Oksanen. Rights” was held in University of The main invited speaker of the series Toronto`s Isabel Bader Theatre. It was Sofi Oksanen, a writer with was almost a capacity audience, with Estonian-Finnish origins. She arrived 300 people in attendance. Those who in Toronto on Wednesday evening, were not able to attend in person March 25th, and the following could watch the direct broadcast day gave interviews to Canadian of the conference on-line. (https:// media. Later that day, together with youtu.be/jVBjbKWVLCM). the conference moderator, Göran The opening remarks were given by Lindblad, she was given a tour of one of the two main organizers of Tartu College by chief archivist the conference, Marcus Kolga, who Piret Noorhani, who showed them thanked the organizers and sponsors, Conference organisers VEMU`s collections and travelling and reminded the audience that Marcus Kolga and Piret Noorhani Photo: Taavi Tamtik exhibition. Operation “Priboi”, referred to by On the evening of March 25th, a Estonians as the March deportations The first panellist was University of reception was held at Tartu College, took place 66 years ago. He shared Toronto Chair of Estonian Studies jointly sponsored by VEMU/Estonian his concern that Russia has seemingly professor Jüri Kivimäe, who spoke of Studies Centre and the Estonian learned no lessons from history, since the historian`s task of deciphering Foundation of Canada. Invited to the its actions today were just like they and understanding, rather than reception were supporters of both were decades ago. judging history, and gave an overview organizations, speakers at the The Estonian ambassador to Canada, of the Soviet Union`s repressions in Gita Kalmet spoke of the candles the Baltic states. The next speaker lighted in memory of the victims of was Karl Altau, acting chair of the the deportations, and used a striking Estonian American National Council, analogy: an extinguished candle who wore a Ukrainian blue and can be relighted, but the same is not yellow ribbon and gave details on the possible with an extinguished human demonstration at the White House in life. We have a moral responsibility to support of Ukraine as well as other speak out about what happened in the similar events planned in the USA in past: we must not forget our history. the near future. Photo: Taavi Tamtik In this context, it was especially

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Ludwik Klimkowski, chairman of people were kept under a regime of The commemoration of victims of Tribute to Liberty, an organization fear. Since Finland was under the deportation continued on March devoted to the Canadian memorial influence of Moscow, nothing was 29th at Tartu College, where results to the victims of communism, as well said publicly about the deportations of VEMU`s most recent collection as vice-president of the Canadian and other repressions. After the campaign were discussed, and Polish Congress emphasized that restoration of independence, a viewing the 2014 Estonian film communism has not disappeared, decolonization process began in about the 1941 deportations, “In the because after the fall of the Iron , which continues to this day. Crosswind”. Curtain, there was no “Nuremberg A national memory had to be created Lea Kreinin trial” for communists. Today they anew; democracy and free speech have become apparatchiks and had to be relearned. Unfortunately, The Voice of Aldona oligarchs, who exert their power no such changes have taken place in Stempužis Preserved for in Europe in many different ways. Russia, which after a brief period of Future Generations Bernard Trottier, a member of freedom was submitted to Putin`s the support group for the Baltic regime. If one is living in a western States in the Canadian Parliament society, this is difficult to understand, stressed the educational value of the since it is almost impossible to planned memorial to the victims of imagine such thorough brainwashing. communism, and urged everyone In addition, Russia continues to to visit the Human Rights Museum interfere with how the history of in Winnipeg (Manitoba), where the its formerly occupied territories universal topic of human rights is is represented, having initiated a extended and elaborated at various propaganda war and implementing Aldona Stempužis’ first concert as a solo different levels of generalisation. an imperialist policies. Russia`s vocal artist. Lithuanian Youth Center in Chicago, October 26, 1963 Bill Browder, the first of the two main tentacles are long, and the puppets keynote speakers is known in the of its propaganda war often include western nations as Putin`s “Enemy respected citizens of other nations: The voice of Aldona Stempužis, Number One”. He is a former top people are more willing to believe the renowned Lithuanian mezzo- investor in Russia, and currently a their own fellow citizens, and the soprano, whose impressive career fighter for human rights. He spoke West has lost its vigilance with spanned decades, has now been of the tragic death of his friend regard to Soviet-era rhetoric and preserved for future generations. Sergei Magnitski, which provoked manipulations. Her multifaceted musical career the black deeds of Putin`s “mafia” In the concluding remarks, sponsors, began with the Čiurlionis Lithuanian and incited Bill Browder to write his participants and organizers were National Art Ensemble in post- own book, “Red Notice” to reveal acknowledged and thanked. The war Germany, and progressed in these human rights violations. Today, second of the two main organizers the United States where she sang largely thanks to Irwin Cotler (who of the event, the chief archivist of leading operatic roles, sophisticated introduced Bill Browder at the VEMU/Estonian Studies Centre Piret interpretations of traditional conference), the Canadian Parliament Noorhani spoke of the importance Lithuanian folk songs, and avant- has adopted the so-called Magnitski of memory and of the helplessness garde works of contemporary act, which declares that in Canada all caused by the loss of memory, Lithuanian composers. Her of those guilty for Magnitski`s death which happens to both individuals performances, many recorded on are murderers. After his speech, Bill and peoples in crisis situations. audiotape, constitute a significant Browder signed autographs for his History keeps repeating itself, and archive of post-war Lithuanian music book, “Red Notice”. we should learn from this. Piret and its cultural history in the United States. After the intermission, writer Noorhani emphasized that in “wars Sofi Oksanen gave her keynote of monuments”, which always tend Unfortunately, magnetic tape presentation. She recalled her to turn political, the most important deteriorates. Even if stored under childhood spent alternating between element should not be forgotten: the ideal conditions, the medium life in two different realities, where human being. can become brittle causing audio everything connected with the recent After the end of the conference, information to drop out. The singer’s was taboo, and Sofi Oksanen signed copies of her son, Linas Stempužis, understanding memories were deeply personal issues most recent novel, “When the Doves the value of his mother’s sound buried in the hearts of individuals. Disappeared”, freshly published in recordings, realized that the only way The Soviet system deprived Estonians English translation by House of to preserve this audio archive was of their social memory. Those in Anansi Press. to transfer it to a digitised format. opposition to the official version Thus began an exhaustive and of history were eliminated; the systematic four-year project, which 2015 n o . 2 (11) Baltic heritage network 4

to Siberia during the first Soviet and Aldona was invited to join. occupation in 1940. When the Soviets Aldona was also active in numerous occupied Lithuania again in 1944, competitions. In 1955, she was Aldona and her family had no choice awarded “Best Woman Vocalist but to flee from the approaching of Ohio”. She also won the Silver Soviet army. Medal in the vocal competition at the After the war ended, Aldona set Chicagoland Music Festival. her sights on joining the esteemed Aldona’s talents were noticed. She Čiurlionis Lithuanian National was invited to perform at several Art Ensemble in Germany. important venues. On August Competition was fierce, especially 31, 1958, she performed with the since membership offered free room Čiurlionis Ensemble at Carnegie and board. After several auditions, Hall during the World Lithuanian Aldona was selected as a dancer, and Community Conference in New York soon began to perform as a vocalist City. This concert presented Aldona as well. Stempužis as an emerging artist to the Lithuanian émigré audience. Here, Čiurlionis Ensemble at Carnegie Hall on Given the economic instability and August 31,1958. social upheaval brought on by the she established much needed contacts Aldona was a featured soloist. war, the ensemble lasted only a few with known Lithuanian performers, resulted in the digital version of the composers, and community leaders. entire Aldona Stempužis archive. years in Germany. With the growing The archive encompasses not only shortage of food and supplies, relief The concert that had the greatest Stempužis’ concert performances services urged refugees to emigrate affect on Aldona was a performance but also program books, photos, and from Germany. Aldona’s mother of Verdi’s Requiem and Bruno related concert materials. Aldona had two sisters living in New York, Markaitis’ The Bells of Vilnius on Stempužis was closely involved in this who sponsored the Stempužis family June 13, 1965 at the Arie Crown project, supplementing the existing and helped them secure residence Theater in McCormick Place, material with recollections, stories, in the United States. Within a few Chicago, Illinois. This concert and critical background information. days of arriving in New York, Aldona was a solemn commemoration of was already employed, not as a Lithuania’s 25-year struggle against The value of this personal archive singer, but as a labourer in the local the Soviet occupation. Aldona cannot be overestimated. It not chocolate processing facility. She was performed with members of the only preserves the works of Aldona determined not to be a burden to Lithuanian Opera Company of Stempužis, but also offers insights others. Chicago and the Chicago Symphony into the dynamic musical culture of Orchestra. This performance received the Lithuanian American community. By 1950 the Čiurlionis Lithuanian National Art Ensemble successfully a glowing review from the Chicago Most of all, it underscores the Tribune. unrelenting yearning of Lithuanian regrouped in Cleveland, Ohio, Americans to retain their culture as a means of restoring a free and independent Lithuania. This is apparent when one reviews the milestones of Aldona Stempužis’ musical career. Aldona Stempužis was born in 1926 in the village of Skirsnemunė on the banks of the legendary Nemunas River in Lithuania. From an early age she sang in local choirs. Taking note of her apparent talent, her parents planned to move to Kaunas so she could study at the Juozas Gruodis Conservatory. Aldona’s dream was to one day sing in the Kaunas State Music Theatre. All hopes, however, were shattered Juratė and Kastytis: Opera performed on September 17, 1996 in Kaunas, Lithuania with the onset of World War II. Her with members from the Lithuanian Opera and the Chicago Lithuanian Opera Company. Aldona Stempužis [as The Mother] singing with Virgilijus Noreika who father was arrested and deported played the role of Kastytis. Photo by Jonas Dainiūnas.

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With Lithuania shackled behind important aspect of our lives, as there Slow,” published in the New York the Iron Curtain, Aldona served as is such a need to remember our past, Times at the end of March of 1990. an ambassador for its freedom by especially the recent past, and to pass An essay, which is a playful Mekas’ introducing Lithuanian culture to the its richness on to future generations”. reaction to the observations by world. One of her most memorable He hopes the archive can serve as a Western journalists that Eastern concerts was in Bogota, Colombia preservation prototype for similar Europe should slow down the pace on October 28, 1960. She performed projects such as family histories. on its way to freedom. By using the classical and Lithuanian songs with In addition such archives serve to Lithuanian folk tale, Mekas compared tenor Stasys Baras (Baranauskas) document a particular generation, Lithuania with the beautiful princess, at the Teatro Colon. The Orquesta belonging to a specific time and kidnapped by a foreign king. In order Sinfonica de Colombia with Olav a place. According to Linas, these to visit her elderly parents, she has to Roots conducting accompanied small-format archives might be complete a variety of tasks. “Ah, we all them. At the reception, much to more easily accessible to people who know how many beautiful princesses Aldona’s surprise, the members hesitate to visit large archives, but have died young,” writes Mekas. of the orchestra pulled out their still want to know the history of their In spring of 1990, all major Western instruments and played an old community. newspapers mentioned Lithuania’s Lithuanian shepherd song ‚ “Piemenų name almost every day, and Raliavimas.” When available online, the archive will accessed from: very often -- on front pages. The Aldona Stempužis frequently www.aldonadiva.com. exhibition presents quotes from the sang lead roles with the Chicago press of 14 countries, from distant Lithuanian Opera Company reprising Helga Merits Australia and Brazil to Scandinavia such roles as Carmen, Aida. In the The Independence Quotes and neighbouring Poland. Quotations 1960s she expanded her repertoire are complemented by references to by collaborating with the promising Virtual Exhibition „No, My Friends, full articles and information about young composer Darius Lapinskas, We Won’t Go Slow”. The Restoration their authors available online. known for his contemporary and of Lithuania’s Independence in the Pages of the World Press in 1990 At that time, Lithuania was a very experimental music. Later she important subject in the articles of worked with the famed Lithuanian the most famous journalists and composer Jonas Švedas. political commentators. For example, It was only in 1989, that Aldona A.M. Rosenthal firmly supported returned to her homeland for the Lithuania’s independence in his NYT first time after the war. A special column. Some young authors, whose homecoming concert was organised articles are quoted in the exhibition, in the capital city of Vilnius, where today are well known journalists. One other soloists and choristers joined of such authors is David Remnick, her. Music of expatriate Lithuanian who at the time was the Washington composers was exclusively featured at Post’s correspondent in Moscow, this performance. another Maureen Dowd; today Aldona’s childhood dream, to sing both of them are the Pulitzer Prize winners. at the Kaunas State Music Theatre, A quarter of century had passed was finally realised in 1996. She since the restoration of Lithuania‘s However, the events in Lithuania sang in Kazimieras Banaitis’ opera independence. How did the Western were covered not only by major “Jūratė and Kastytis”, which was world react to Lithuania‘s desire to newspapers and magazines. The performed by the Lithuanian Opera set itself free? An opportunity to leaf exhibition shows that the regional Company and included members through the pages of newspapers and press also wrote about Lithuania. of the Chicago Lithuanian Opera magazines of that time is presented For example, Gießener Allgemeine, Company. It was a full house and by a virtual exhibition No, My small German newspaper, compared the performance culminated with a Friends, We Won‘t Go slow. The Lithuania with the hot potato, which standing ovation at the final curtain exhibition, which is available through is too hot to hold, yet too valuable to call. the website of the National Library drop. Aldona kept a detailed account of all of Lithuania (www.lnb.lt), contains During this politically intense these events, which can be now be quotations from the Western press period, Lithuanians living abroad found in her archive. about Lithuania in 1990. and Lithuanian friends collected Linas Stempužis is considering The title of the exhibition was the clippings about Lithuania. Some placing the archive online and inspired by Jonas Mekas’, a of them even found it necessary making it available to the vast Lithuanian American artist, essay, to underline the most important Internet audience. “This is an “No, My Friends, We Won’t Go phrases and sentences of the articles. 2015 n o . 2 (11) Baltic heritage network 6

A very interesting clipping from book was to introduce Lithuanian the Los Angeles Times was sent to readers to a rich Latvian diaspora President by prose, especially bearing in mind that Juozas Brazauskas with the post-note, not a single work from more than 400 where he advises the President “to Latvian diaspora novels published in caution his people … to think before post-war is available in Lithuanian they make statements to the press.” language. The article quotes a young volunteer Dalia Cidzikaitė from Canada who says “we have a music professor for a president, we Diaspora researchers at the National Alberta Estonian Heritage Library of Lithuania. have a bunch of intellectuals for a Photo: Sevile Charsika Society (Western Canada) parliament, and our government Jolanta Bernotaitytė, discussed the - Ten Years Old! information centre is run by a bunch representations of the Lithuanian In its 10 years, the Alberta Estonian of college kids.” American art in the 20th century Heritage Society has blended and The National Geographic described during the sixties and nineties. achieved. Spring 2015 marks a the situation in Lithuania somewhat Vilnius University historian Dr decade since the inauguration differently (two copies of the issue Tomas Balkelis, who spoke about meeting in Red Deer, Alberta where dedicated to the Baltic countries the international aspect of diaspora official government forms were are stored in the Lozoraitis’ Family and migration studies, urged the signed to create the AEHS as a Collection at Lituanica Department): seminar’s participants to write their registered non-profit organisation “Behind the doors of government, articles and books not only to a and set its purpose. The popularity the heat was on. Declarations, Lithuanian, but a foreign reader as of the Internet, email, and websites telefaxes, formulations flew between well and their research to look for had reached the point where a society committees of tight-lipped delegates Lithuanian connections with other could function in a relatively cohesive and newly minted founding fathers. nations and communities. manner despite having members … All three [Baltic States] were located hundreds of kilometres apart. moving, in their own way, toward The Head of the Lithuanian Literature Even when the bylaws were updated separation from the eastern empire.” Department at VMU, Assoc. Dr Dalia Kuizinienė, noticed that a lot eight years later, we retained our basic The exhibition, which was created by of important research in the field of purpose: Lituanica Department of the National the Lithuanian diaspora had been • Provide for the recreation of the Library of Lithuania in collaboration carried out over the past 25 years. members and to promote and afford with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs However, she noted that there are still opportunity for friendly and social of the Republic of Lithuania, is quite a few holes and gaps remaining. activities. available in English as well. She agreed with Assoc. Dr Žydronė • Promote and preserve Estonian Valdonė Budreckaitė Kolevinskienė, dean of Lithuanian heritage and culture in Alberta. Philology Faculty at the University Diaspora Researchers of Educational Sciences that not a lot • Facilitate contact and current Gathered at the National has been done to research the most awareness among persons with an Library of Lithuania recent Lithuanian emigrant literature, interest in Estonian heritage and Lithuanian foreign press, as well as culture in Canada, Estonia, and For the second year in a row, the theatre and visual arts. elsewhere. Lituanica Department invited diaspora researchers to the At the end of the seminar, a book seminar. During the one-day presentation, The nostalgia and event, the participants heard three mimicry: Lithuanian and Latvian presentations about Lithuanian post-war diaspora novels by Laura diaspora. Dr Ramūnas Čičelis, Laurušaitė (Vilnius: Institute of the lecturer at Vytautas Magnus Lithuanian Literature and Folklore), University (VMU), talked about the took place. Guests, Dr Manfredas philotopic aspect in Jonas Mekas, Žvirgždas, Assoc. Dr Kuizinienė and an American Lithuanian artist; Dr Čičelis, stressed the novelty of the Akvilė Šimėnienė, who studies book, especially the methodological in the doctorate program at the tools, comparative and postcolonial Alberta Estonian Heritage Society’s third and perspectives, and their successful current president, Ave Peetri, with the second Institute of Lithuanian Literature and ex-president Bob Kingsep at a Board meeting Folklore, shared her findings about adaptation for Lithuanian and in Calgary, 2013. Dr Birutė Ciplijauskaitė’s literary Latvian emigrant novels. The author Photo: Helgi Leesment criticism; and the doctorate student of the monograph noted that one of at the Lithuanian Academy of Arts, her main objectives while writing the 2015 n o . 2 (11) Baltic heritage network 7

The inaugural meeting saw the AjaKaja, in particular, is the unique that the answer lies in ourselves. coming together of Albertans of platform for Alberta stories that The first generations of Estonians Estonian heritage from different do not fit other publications; our to Alberta did not set out to make backgrounds, ranging from recent editors honour this niche well. These history. But they did. Current arrivals to descendants of Estonians remarkable achievements were generations did not enter this world who migrated from their homes over accomplished in a surprisingly short with a goal to make history, but we a century ago. That is the ‘blending’. time span. are. Enjoying participation in AEHS- There is richness in such blending: But achievements go beyond the organised events and recording our people bringing stories and ideas electronic, the artefacts, and the personal anecdotes and images, from diverse backgrounds further hardcopy text. Through these means new or old, are some of our options enrich each other’s knowledge, AEHS has enabled people to create for carrying on the celebration of understanding, and friendship. or add to their own family trees and Estonian culture as we have adapted After all, despite commercial efforts to travel to specific villages and farms it in Alberta. To that end, we have to have us believe that physical in Estonia from where their ancestors adapted to and will continue to adapt possessions equal happiness, it is our came, and to Estonian settlements in to the technology offered by the relationships with other people that Crimea. Some have reconnected with World Wide Web. are the basis of happiness and a sense long lost relatives. Through various We have the means; we can reach all of belonging. print media, AEHS has informed interests; we can continue to build AEHS social functions and major Estonians throughout the world our heritage. resource achievements have fostered of Alberta’s unique Estonian story, Helgi Leesment, Calgary, Alberta, something that was generally not a gentle sense of belonging and with input from Bob Kingsep perhaps even validated the past known previously. We are providing where individuals were previously genealogists, archivists, librarians AEHS Heritage Project and other researchers with rich vague in knowledge of their own Completed family history. Albertans of Estonian resources. With additional publicity, The AEHS Heritage Project consists decent have met others with similar Albertans beyond AEHS will become of a number of deliverables listed cultural heritage and have become better aware of these resources, below. more aware of their own family adding to information about this histories. They were motivated to western Canadian province. We All items, printed or electronic, are look for family photos and artefacts, know from attending Baltic Heritage available onsite or online. Network international conferences and generously provided these to • Alberta’s Estonians. 30-minute that Australians, North Americans the AEHS, resulting in a wide- documentary DVD. 2007. Copyright and Europeans are accessing AEHS ranging history website, a half-hour Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. documentary DVD, a 300-page materials. Thus AEHS’s achievements • Freedom, Land, & Legacy: Alberta’s book, a special collection at the and blending perfectly complement Estonians 1899-2009. A 298 page Provincial Archives of Alberta, each other to the benefit of many in illustrated book about Alberta’s a six-panel display depicting the Alberta as well as elsewhere. Estonians. Compiled by Dave Kiil story of Estonians in Alberta and What is next? and Eda McClung, 2010. Copyright highly commended issues of AjaKaja Perhaps if we take a page from our Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. magazine, published twice annually. own accomplishments we will see • AEHS website: www.aehs.ca, then click on Heritage under Menu Option and on the images, i.e. “Alberta’s Estonian Heritage.” Each image contains organised and searchable historical material about Alberta’s Estonian heritage. • Estonian Archival Collection is stored and available at the Provincial Archives of Alberta (PAA) in Edmonton. • PAA website: https://hermis. alberta.ca: In ‘Search the Archives’, type in AEHS to open the Estonian Collection. There are 213 results, each Alberta Estonian Heritage Society’s Jaanipäev bonfire at Gilby, Alberta with members of Toronto’s Ööbik Choir among the guests. June 2012. with a title and brief description of Photo: J. Laansoo file’s content.

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• Alberta’s Estonian Travelling Similar collecting campaigns have Exhibit. The display is comprised been organised by VEMU before on of six lightweight 3’ by 4’ panels a smaller scale, however, almost 60 telling the story of Alberta’s Estonian different objects were submitted this community from 1899 - present. The year: artefacts, photos, albums and panels are stored at the Provincial diaries, memoirs written in Estonian Archives of Alberta in Edmonton and in English as well as printed and available for display at archives, books. Amongst the donations were museums and special heritage events. also war medals, two suitcases that • AjaKaja has been published since were used to flee Estonia in 1944 and 1989 and is distributed to AEHS a wooden model of a fleeing ship. members and others. It contains The jury (VEMU chief archivist Piret information, including family Noorhani, University of Toronto histories, about Estonian pioneers Bob Kingsep, right, receives the Estonian history professor Jüri Kivimäe and and immigrants who settled in Government award from Karl Robertson, University of Glasgow research fellow on behalf of Honorary Consul to Estonia in Alberta since 1899. All published Alberta, Christine Robertson, Spring 2015. Lea Kreinin) were pleased to see such issues have also been archived Photo by Annette Kingsep. a high level of participation. However, digitally and will be available to Bob judiciously guided and led the as all works were of very different AEHS members (1989-2004) and Alberta Estonian Heritage Society scope, level and nature, it was difficult globally (2005-2014) on new AEHS through its very productive years to announce the ultimate winners. website under development. when it developed its history website, All participants received a letter an AEHS member website, a logo, of honour for their contribution. Major Award to a a documentary DVD, a book, a The jury decided unanimously Descendant of Estonian place in the provincial archives, and to give the monetary prize to the Pioneers continued publication of its twice Estonian School in Toronto where yearly magazine AjaKaja. In this students have been collecting their regard Bob follows in the footsteps grandparents’ memoirs over many of his grandfather who was a long- years. The prize money will hopefully time leader among the Estonian be used towards publishing those community in the west-central area memoirs in print. The four youngest of Alberta during the early part of the 20th Century. The framed certificate reads: “Letter of Thanks. The 27th International The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Baltic Conference on the the Government of the Republic of History of Science in Riga Estonia thanks you, Robert Kingsep, and Jelgava for preserving and promoting Estonian culture in Alberta”; signed October 1-2, 2015 by Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Minister For more detailed information 30 min. English language DVD telling of Foreign Affairs. This is the fifth the story of Estonian pioneers in Alberta, and registration please visit the produced in 2007 time the Estonian government has conference homepage at: given formal recognition to “civil by the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. http://www.mvm.lv/ diplomats” in various countries balticconference2015/. Bob (Robert) Kingsep, grandson of around the world. Main topic: LEARNED SOCIETIES, the first known Estonian pioneer Helgi Leesment SCIENCE ACADEMIES, immigrant to settle in Alberta in Memoir Collection by ACADEMIC COMMUNITY IN Western Canada, was awarded by the THE BALTIC Estonian government as “long-time VEMU on the Grand Chairman of the Alberta Estonian Escape in 1944 We welcome abstracts of 3000 Heritage Society, for preserving and characters In autumn of 1944, as the war promoting Estonian identity and was coming towards the end and DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACT’S heritage”. This announcement was the Soviet army was approaching, SUBMITION - September 1st, 2015 made in November 2014 and the many inhabitants of the Baltic Payment of the registration fee certificate was presented to Bob this States decided to flee their homes. (40 EUR) or 20 EUR for students spring at his British Columbia home To commemorate this, VEMU should be completed by the 1st of where he is enjoying retirement. announced an initiative last year to September, 2015 the latest. During his six year presidency, collect memoires from this period.

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as well as losing their dignity and self-esteem in a new situation, the physical aspects of loss can be viewed as loss of security, different threats to people’s health (abuse, hunger, possibility of getting wounded or killed) and threats to freedom. For example, Lembit Liblik remembers the escape from Saaremaa as follows: The storm and rain got worse and water was everywhere. My mother was squatting beside me with my brother on her lap and trying to shelter him from the cold water. He was three years old. While I was swept overboard by the next wave, my dad saw me in the nick of time and grabbed me back from the sea and pulled me back into the Eneli Mölder, a young participant. Photo: Taavi Tamtik boat. Then in a very loud and strict command he said: “if we are to save participants, all of them pupils of the to VEMU, the majority were about ourselves, throw everything in the sea Toronto Estonian School, received fleeing to Sweden and not so many to lighten the boat.” Before he could special prizes. about being evacuated to Germany. finish the sentence, all the luggage was For an archive, getting original It was interesting to see how the thrown overboard. same journey was remembered documents, diaries and photos One can only imagine how tragic differently by different people – it all has always been very important. A an experience it could have been to complemented towards creating a unique historical document, Leo a little boy to leave his home, losing fuller and more vivid picture. Puurits’s logbook from 1949-1972, his family and friends, his belongings contains information about the Researchers (for example Jürgenson) and also, almost his life. Baltic University and the student have noticed that in case of the On the other hand, many of the corporations, events, presentations, Second World War escape stories, memories of war-time refugees events participants’ remarks, photos dangers of the escape route and good focused on positive things, most and newspaper cuttings as well as luck which saved people from death commonly the kindness of people original drawings and even a German are emphasised. Stories of leaving are they met on their way and a strong train ticket. The second remarkable social, collective events. In refugee sense of belonging together, sharing donation is documents and diaries communities, these stories are often things, helping each other and of Estonian lawyer and journalist compared and revised collectively, creating a sense of community. For Aleksander Peel. The diaries, which therefore they are often similar. example, many memories are about cover from leaving Estonia in 1944 Without doubt, it was a difficult time sharing food or practical tools, until living in Canada in the mid- both for leavers and for those who helping each other with little services. 1970s, contain over 1600 remarkable were left behind. In those memoirs, Soon after getting the elementary pages written in real time which give people usually talk about their escape, things sorted, Estonians started to a very detailed insight into a refugee describing very precisely their routes, organise their cultural and education life. some of them giving very detailed life in the refugee camps. Later descriptions, place names and other The memoirs submitted for the diasporic activities in many countries facts. competition were of different nature were based on the connections and and scope. There were whole life People experienced different skills learned in those camps. stories, interviews made with parents, aspects of loss during their escape Positive elements can also be found grandparents and relatives, copies of journey – the material aspects in the wartime escape if we look at diaries etc. mentioned loss of personal valuables, the adventurous aspect of it. However property and wealth, the socio- Estonians used different routes to traumatic and negative it was at psychological aspects of loss can escape the war and the approaching the society’s and nation’s levels, at be seen in losing their secure and Red Army. People from the North- an individual level it was often also customary environment, the stress on Western part of Estonia and from regarded as an adventure, a way of dislocation, losing their relationships the islands mostly left by small boats getting away from home, seeing new with family, relatives and friends, for Sweden. Amongst memoirs sent places. 2015 n o . 2 (11) Baltic heritage network 10

For example, Imre P. wrote about his prepared traditional Estonian On April 29th, Scott Diel discussed memoirs: kringel. Susi Holmberg also taught the post-independence role for In the description [of escape], one can participants how to make pasha. väliseestlased (Estonians abroad). feel a slightly adventurous tone. The Scott Diel is an American freelance reason is that these are memories of journalist and author who has been a child! It was a big adventure – long living in Estonia for some time. He train journeys, new places and towns has been publishing sharp-witted to see. In the eyes of an adult it was articles in the Estonian press as the much more tragic – leave your sisters, enigmatic Vello Vikerkaar. He also brothers, parents, your home behind. talked at the VEMU fundraising dinner on May 2nd (“Dangerous Many other memoirs have also Rainbows: Outing the Dastardly Vello praised the possibility to see foreign Vikerkaar”). The theme of this year’s lands, and stressed Estonians’ general Cooking with Susi dinner was “Baltic with a Twist”. cultural interest towards places they Photo: Taavi Tamtik Ingo Karklins, the well-known and passed on their way. On April 15th, Ene-Liis Martens gave acclaimed chef at the Latvian Centre, Hardship continued for some years the lecture “How NOT to Write a prepared the dinner. Eric Soostar & after the Big Escape. Many people had Book!” inspired by the writing of the the Northern Stars provided music. to make a further trip from Germany book Ilmar, His Story - The Life Story and Sweden to UK, America, of Ilmar Martens. All participants Australia, Canada or elsewhere later. received a copy of the book “Ilmar, However difficult the times had been His Story” as a gift from Ene-Liis to the wartime generation, people Martens. managed to get on with their lives On April 18th, VEMU and the and build a new future for themselves Estonian National Museum’s and their families abroad. travelling exhibition “Food: A This year’s competition is about music Treasury of Estonian Heritage” in Estonians’ life. VEMU is looking was opened at the Latvian Centre forward to receiving memoirs, in Montreal. Piret Noorhani gave Photo: P. Noorhani documents, photos, film and audio a talk, which was followed by the recordings about this topic. film screening“Makers of Food. On Wednesday, May 6th, Margit Lea Kreinin Historical Estonian Food Businesses in Toronto” (VEMU / Estonian Kilumets talked about being VEMU’s Events March-May Studies Centre & Kaisa Films 2014). a journalist, filmmaker, and 2015 The audience got to meet with biographer. On Saturday, May 9th, the director Kaisa Pitsi after the the Estonian Embassy in Canada and On March 10th, Dorothee M. Goeze screening. VEMU/the Estonian Studies Centre from the Herder Institute in Marburg held a screening of the documentary gave the lecture “In Front of Camera: “Pöide, Silent Witness”. The Daily Life of Estonian DPs in the screening was followed by a Hintzer Collection”. discussion about the past and future On March 18th, Susan Barber Kahro of the medieval church. Juhan gave the lecture “Regilaul (Runo Kilumets, art historian and restorer Song): Cornerstone of Estonian and Margit Kilumets, journalist and Culture”. Long-time music teacher film scenarist led the discussion. Susan Barber Kahro is now working From May 11th to May 14th, Mihkel on her PhD thesis about Estonian Salusoo’s workshop “Weaving of music traditions in Canada. Olavi Photo: P. Noorhani Traditional Estonian Belts” took Kelle and Dace Veinberga performed place at Tartu College. examples of regilaul. Mark Julson On April 22nd, Tiit Aleksejev gave The busy winter/spring season will performed some intriguing regilaul the lecture “1944: The Meaning of end with the opening of the Estonian improvisations. Remembrance”. Tiit Aleksejev is the National Museum’s photo exhibition On April 1st, Tõnu Tõsine gave a author of the play The Legionnaires Pick a Place Wherever You Can... lecture on Estonian narrow gauge (Leegionärid) that was played by (Otsi kohta, kus sa saad…). The railways. Rakvere Theatre at Tartu College on exhibition will be on display at Tartu April 9th saw the third “Cooking with the following weekend of April 24th College until September 10th. Susi”-workshop. Eighty attendees – 25th.

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