Dannebrog 800 the Story of Denmark and Estonia
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DANNEBROG 800 THE STORY OF DENMARK AND ESTONIA 1 TEXTS: IVAR LEIMUS, THOMAS 06 INTRODUCTION LYNGBY, AIN MÄESALU, PER SEESKO, by METTE SKOUGAARD METTE SKOUGAARD, UNIVERSITY OF TARTU (HELEN LIIVER, MARI- 09 DENMARK AND ESTONIA TODAY LIIS SCHMIDT and MAARJA-HELEN by THE ESTONIAN INSTITUTE and THE UNIVERSITY OF TARTU TAMM), THE ESTONIAN INSTITUTE 17 ESTONIA BEFORE 1219 TRANSLATION AND EDITING: by AIN MÄESALU ERIKA JERET, ROGER EVANS 26 WARRING FOR GOD – THE BALTIC CRUSADES GRAPHIC DESIGN AND by METTE SKOUGAARD ILLUSTRATIONS: MOONIKA MAIDRE 33 ESTONIA UNDER DANISH RULE 1219–1346 Published by The Estonian Institute by PER SEESKO and Tallinn City Museum 2019 41 ESTONIA DURING THE RULE OF DANISH KINGS by IVAR LEIMUS ISBN 978-9949-558-47-6 49 DANNEBROG. RELIGION, KINGDOM, NATION AND DEMOCRACY by THOMAS LYNGBY 55 DANNEBROG AND THE HISTORY OF THREE LIONS IN ESTONIA by IVAR LEIMUS 3 Christian August Lorentzen (1746 – 1828). The Dannebrog Falls from the Sky During the “Valdemar Battle“ at Lyndanisse 15 June 1219. 1809. Oil. National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen. 4 5 INTRODUCTION METTE SKOUGAARD, Director of The Museum of National History, Frederiksborg Castle According to legend, the ”Danne- The turbulent beginning of the brog” fell from the sky during relation between the two nations the battle of Lyndanise in 1219, have long since been replaced with 800 years ago. The battle was the friendship, and in 2019 we can join starting point of a period of 127 in the celebration of the anniver- years, where Estonia and Denmark sary of the Dannebrog. had the same kings. Though 800 years may seem like a long time It is our hope that that through our ago, the relations established then joint projects specialists as well as have shown a strong impact on the general public, will enhance our both nations. mutual knowledge of our history and thus strengthen the bonds View of the Danish King’s Garden. Estonia and Denmark share between Estonia and Denmark. Photo: Meeli Küttim / Tallinn City Museum important symbols with roots stemming from this period – the Dannebrog and the three lions. The Christian church, which the Danes brought with them, has also connected the two nations in the same cultural sphere. 6 7 DENMARK AND ESTONIA TODAY THE ESTONIAN INSTITUTE & THE UNIVERSITY OF TARTU anniversary in 2019 because it was in 1219 that the Estonian capital of Tallinn was first mentioned, its name denoted ‘Danish stronghold’ back then. Let us begin unfolding the Estonia-Denmark story from the last one hundred years and then have an 800-year leap into the past. A Road of Official Relations Street art pieces of the Estonian artist The shared history of Denmark in the 20th Century Edward von Lõngus in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. Photo: Ruudu Rahumaru and Estonia has reached the 21st century, a time when we can On the 24th of February 1918, when proudly raise the Dannebrog and Estonia declared her independence the Estonian tricolour side by side. as a republic, it took three years These are symbols which differ only before Denmark recognised Estonia, in the year of birth: Danes consider Latvia and Lithuania as indepen- 1219 as the birth of their flag, for dent states in 1921. The young Estonians it is 1884. Tallinn and state of Estonia had to pull through Dannebrog celebrate their 800th hard ordeals and gain victory over 8 9 Russian troops in the Estonian War of Independence (1918–1920), in which Danish volunteers fought side by side with Estonians and other allied forces for Estonia’s freedom. In 1945–1991 Denmark did not acknowledge, similar to most Western states, the Soviet occupa- tion in Estonia, during this period official relations between Denmark and Estonia were minimal. On August 26, 1991 four ministers of foreign affairs – Lennart Meri from Estonia, Jānis Jurkāns from Latvia, Algirdas Saudargas from in 1994. Young Estonians are still Danish minister of foreign affairs Uffe Ellemann-Jensen and Estonian minister Lithuania and Uffe Ellemann-Jensen going to Denmark, for example to of foreign affairs Lennart Meri in Tallinn from Denmark, signed documents in study design and art, or agriculture. in September 1991. Photo: Albert Truuväärt / Fredensborg Palace which restored National Archives of Estonia diplomatic relations between Denmark and the Baltic states. Sander´s story Since then we find more and more common stories, cultural exchanges, While considering Scandinavian and business relations. A key phrase universities he sifted out Denmark in Estonian-Danish relations today which had a wider selection of is defence cooperation. Since 2004, programmes in English. Living in Denmark and Estonia work together Denmark was made possible thanks under the NATO umbrella. Estonia to a study grant and as an EU has supported Danish soldiers in the citizen, Sander can apply for an Balkans and Iraq, and Danish soldiers allowance allowing him to focus have provided the Balts with support on studies and removing the fear and defence in the air and on land. of how to manage everyday costs. In the 1990s when greater opportu- He was interested in something nities opened up for travel, studies bordering art and mathematics and and cultural communication, many now studies multimedia design. young Estonians went to Danish In Copenhagen, blending in is not universities, people’s universities complicated for someone from and summer courses. A Danish Tallinn, there is a lot in common The Queen of Denmark visits Estonia. 27.-28.07.1992. From the left: Arnold Rüütel, language degree programme was between the two cities – similar Margrethe II, Prince Henrik, Ingrid Rüütel. launched in the University of Tartu architecture, climate and traditions. Photo: Ain Protsin/Postimees 10 11 In Cultural Fields Vinterberg) at Rakvere Theatre in 2004, Lars von Trier´s “The Idiots” The Danish Cultural Institute at Von Krahl Theatre in 2010, ÖÖ... was one of the first foreign cultural “Adam’s Apples” by Kinoteater institutes to open an office in and Nargen Festival in 2016 and Estonia. Anybody who has ever “Breaking the Waves” (written by ÄÄÄ.. come into contact with Danish Lars von Trier, David Pirie, Peter culture has heard of Silvi Teesalu Asmussen and Vivian Nielsen) at the who was the head of the Estonian Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu in 2017. Ü office of Danish Cultural Institute from 1990 to 2014. In 1996, works by the Skagen Painters arrived in Tallinn: P.S. Krøyer, Probably because so many young Anna and Michael Ancher, Carl Locher Estonians visited Denmark in the and Holger Drachmann. Since then, 1990s and the Danish language our cooperation in art is character- was taught in Estonian universities, ised by exhibitions and joint proj- The average Dane takes life in a new generation of translators ects, and seminars are arranged and a more relaxed manner compared to emerged who eagerly started trans- Birgita Bonde Hansen has been visited mutually. In 2019 the Esto- Estonians and finds more time for lating Danish literature into Esto- translating Estonian and Finnish nian Art Museum is displaying Danish himself. Locals know how to enjoy nian. Besides H. C. Andersen, modern classics into Danish, alto- paintings again, for the first time the fruits of their public services and K. Blixen, M.A. Nexø and some other gether about 50 books, of them the crème de la crème of the Danish social welfare system, and have an Danish authors they gave Esto- about ten from Estonian authors. Golden Age is exhibited in Estonia. enjoyable lifestyle. nians a rich selection of literature The authors translated include including historical novels, crime Andrus Kivirähk, Jaan Kross, Rein Talking about musical contacts we stories, poetry, modern novels, Raud, Ilmar Taska, Meelis Frieden- must note that Danish pop musi- Mads´s story plays, children’s, books etc. thal, Mihkel Mutt and Paavo Matsin. cians have been visiting Estonia In 2018 Hansen was awarded Kjeld since 1992. Danish music has Mads took an interest in Estonia Around two dozen titles have been Elfelts Mindelegat of the Blixen been performed at Estonia’s Rock during his secondary education, translated from Estonian into Literary Award and she has been Summer festivals, and more recently the chance gift of a study book of Danish, among them is the Esto- nominated three times for an in concert halls, festival stages the Estonian language increased nian national epic “Kalevipoeg”, annual Cultural Endowment of and clubs. For example NHØP trio, his interest even further.“... living in published as early as in 1878, and Estonia award in the category of Volbeat, Get Your Gun, Efterklang, a country which recently regained over ten titles since the 1990s. IIt translating literature from Estonian singer MØ and many other artists independence, where building the is rather striking that most trans- into a foreign language. have performed in Estonia. The Viru country is in full swing seemed lations were either published in the Folk music festival, held at Käsmu more interesting than life in the 1990s or after 2010 with a long gap Interest in Danish plays has been village on the northern coast of “completed” Denmark.” Mads has between them. Translators from boosted through films, several film Estonia, was dedicated to Danish now lived in Estonia for many years Estonian into Danish can be literally scripts by the authors related to music and culture in 2015. Among and fulfilled another wish - in the counted on the fingers of one hand the Dogma 95 manifesto have been the many bands playing at the country’s centenary year (2018) he and then we should use both hands brought to stage successfully. For festival were the best Danish folk published a comprehensive book on to give them some well-deserved example “The Celebration” (written metal band Svartsot and romantic Estonia in the Danish language.