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Baltic Heritage Network NEWSLETTER NO. 4 (9) 2014 ISSN 2228-3390

In this issue: • Celebrations to Mark the 50th Anniversary of the Estonian Archives in the • Baltic History Conference at Stanford University • Cold War Politics in Exile Brought to Light • Canadian Latvian Archives and Museum • No Home To Go To Exhibit Opened in • Food – A Treasury of Estonian Heritage. Businesses and Factories in Toronto. • Virtual Exhibit: Refugees from the Baltic Countries in German Camps 1944-1951 A Note from the Editor: Remembering Lithuanian Jewish Writer The submission deadline for the next issue is 15 February 2015. We welcome news articles, Icchokas Meras conference information, calls for papers, new On October 8, Icchokas Meras, a Lithuanian Jewish writer, would have turned 80 years old. publication information, and images. Please To commemorate the anniversary, the Lituanica Department of the National Library of send articles in English with high quality Lithuania created a virtual exhibition “Kelmė is my Lithuania and my Jerusalem” (http:// images to: senas.lnb.lt/parodos/11/), inviting visitors to become acquainted with the writer’s life and works, and to leaf through the library archives where one can find interesting information Kristina Lupp about the writer. [email protected] Meras was a great friend of National Library of Lithuania. Thanks to the writer, the ______The Non-Profit Association Baltic Heritage Lituanica Department was able to replenish its funds with his newest books. The exhibition Network was founded in Tartu on January 11, also talks about Meras’ friendship with the Library. 2008. NPA BaltHerNet was established to foster cooperation between national and private archives, Although Meras’ interest in literature started in high school, after graduation he chose to museums, libraries, and institutions of research, study engineering. He made his literary debut in 1960 with the book “Geltonas lapas” [The public associations and organizations collecting and Yellow Patch]. Meras’ novel about the Holocaust, “Lygiosios trunka akimirką” [Stalemate] studying the cultural heritage of the Baltic diaspora. (1963), is his best-known work internationally. It aims to facilitate the preservation and research of the historically valuable cultural property of the In 1972, Meras immigrated to , where he worked as a teacher and taught at the Baltic diaspora, as well as to ensure accessibility of university. In Israel, with the help of Lithuanian emigrants, the writer received true these materials to the public. recognition. For his novel “Striptizas, arba Paryžius-Roma-Paryžius” [Striptease or - NPA BaltHerNet is also committed to the organising of conferences, seminars and -Paris] written in 1976, Meras was awarded the Lithuanian Writers Association workshops, and to developing and administrating Literary Prize (US). the electronic information website Baltic Heritage Network, a multilingual electronic gateway for The author’s works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Prestigious literary information on the cultural heritage of the Baltic magazines named Meras one of the most prominent Eastern European writers. In 1995, he diaspora.

The Baltic Heritage Newsletter is distributed 2015 Baltic Heritage Network Conference will take place in Riga quarterly, on-line. The newsletter is compiled and edited by Kristina Lupp. Please send all related The next Baltic Heritage Network conference “Tracing the Baltic road to independence in enquiries and submissions to Kristina Lupp: diaspora archives” will take place next summer in Riga. Tentative dates are June 30- July 2. [email protected] www.balther.net More information including the call for papers will be available in the next newsletter. ISSN 2228-3390

2014 no.3 (8) BALTIC HERITAGE NETWORK 2 was awarded the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Commander’s Baltic History Cross. The writer is also a recipient of the Conference at honourable Lithuanian National Prize. Stanford University ■ Deimantė Bandzevičiūtė, National Library A three day conference on Baltic of Lithuania, Lituanica Department history was held at Stanford University on October 9-10, 2014. Entitled “War, Celebrations to Mark Revolution and Freedom: the Baltic the 50th Anniversary Countries in the 20th Century”, the of the Estonian conference brought together historians, Archives in the United archivists, and librarians from the States Baltic States and the United States. The keynote speaker was the former Latvian president, Vaira Viķe-Freiberga, who Celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of discussed the sometimes difficult path of the Estonian Archives in the United States, , Lithuania, and Estonia to join the took place on October 25th at the Estonian and NATO. church in Lakewood. Approximately 50 The conference presentations covered a people were in attendance, coming from wide range of subjects. There were talks New York and around Lakewood, New on the Latvian War of Independence, Jersey, as well as some guests from afar. right wing extremism in Estonia between the wars, and the Holocaust in Lithuania. Papers were also presented on gender roles under the Ulmanis regime in Latvia, World War II in the memory of , and on the movements that led to the renewal of Baltic independence in 1991. At the end of the conference, talks focused on the resources relating to Baltic history at Stanford University. These included a presentation by Elga Zālite on the collection of Reverend Richard Zariņš at Stanford University Libraries; a paper by David Jacobs on collections of Baltic diplomats at the Hoover Institution Archives; and a talk by Lisa Esse on the Baltic Studies Program at Stanford University. The conference concluded with a showing of the film “Obliging Collaborators” by Latvian director Pēteris Krilovs. The staff at the Lakewood Archives. Archive manager Enda-Mai Michelson Photo: P. Noorhani Holland opened the festivities. Maria Belovas brought greetings from the Estonian Then it was time for speeches. Piret consulate in Washington and Eda Treumuth Noorhani acknowledged the perseverance from the Estonian Holy Spirit Church in and productivity of the volunteers and Lakewood. Archivist Ave Maria Blithe read passed on greetings from the people at the best wishes that had arrived by mail. VEMU and the Baltic Heritage Network. Guests were invited to have coffee, kringel She spoke about the refugees and recognized and blueberry cake. At the same time, one the role they played in preserving Estonian could view a very detailed display from cultural heritage. Liisi Esse, the Library the various collections of the Lakewood Curator for the Baltic Collection at Stanford archives. The display was organized by University, talked about the collecting being archivist Ave Maria and the volunteer done on the West Coast. It is encouraging workers of the archives. The wealth of that in the US, another Estonian centre is information and contributions by refugees collecting, studying and promoting Estonian of emotionally significant items, such as art materials. It has grown a great deal in the and hand crafted items was very evident. last two years. Enda-Mai Michelson-Holland One could examine or buy a copy of the spoke about the past, present and future of English translation of Ferdinand Kool’s “DP the Lakewood archives. As some may already Chronicles,” which was published just in know, portions of the archived documents time for the Archives’ anniversary. have been given to the Immigration History

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Research Center in Minneapolis. However, It pretended to be a private enterprise of Canadian Latvian Lakewood still holds a large collection of freedom-loving Americans, but was covertly Archives and Museum documents, publications, photos, art and funded by the CIA. When this was revealed audio-visual material. An archivist was hired to the public in 1971, the public funding to For several years Andris Ķesteris, President in the fall of 2013, after which the collection the FEC ended. Radio Free , however, of the Latvian National Federation in has developed well. The Lakewood archive was re-organized and their broadcast (LNAK) and Member of the Board volunteers have also worked on the Baltic continues today. of the World Federation of Free Heritage Network ventures. (PBLA) has urged the Latvian Community Although RFE took the biggest share of in Canada to increase activities towards Those interested had the opportunity to FEC’s activity, the anthology focuses on the preserving its rich cultural heritage. tour the archives and to have access to the organization behind it. The FEC was divided work being done with the collections. Many between nationalities, each composing A year ago, on 15 August 2013, a number of people enjoyed talking at length over a cup their own committee. Most of the articles enthusiasts met to discuss the possibilities of coffee. One got the impression that the are constructed like this. The articles of and formed a working group. This year, on 50-year-old archives have reached the age Czechoslovakian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, 15 August, their efforts were formalized. of maturity, are making plans for the future and Romanian examples stand alone, but The Latvian National Federation in Canada and are hard at work. Let them always have on the other hand, overlap each other. This (LNAK) approved, under its auspices, clever and industrious workers as well as overlapping proves similarities and the need the formation of the “Canadian Latvian money to bring all their plans to life. for cooperation in the research. Archives and Museum” (KLAM). ■ Piret Noorhani Jonathan L’Hommedieu introduces the three As a professional archivist and specialist, Baltic committees together in the article. As Andris Ķesteris’ many years of experience Cold War politics in the Baltic States were occupied and annexed at the Library and Archives Canada (LAC), exile brought to light by the , they were exceptions is irreplaceable. He is currently Chair of the among the exile groups. Consequently they Archives, Library and Museum task force of Radio Free Europe has gained such a had active legations in the US, but lacked PBLA, and continues to develop cooperative mythical reputation that it is surprising, broadcasts by the RFE, mostly due to the initiatives with several international how little actual scholarly literature there small size of the populations. Overall, organizations, including those in Latvia and is on the broadcasts or the organizations the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian Canada. He is a life member of the Baltic arranging them. The Inauguration of committees were as independent as the Heritage Network (BaltHerNet), and one of Organized Political Warfare. Cold War others. Thus, there is little justification to the founding Board Members of the Baltic Organizations sponsored by the National study them together; or vice versa. There Audiovisual Archival Council (BAAC). Committee for a Free Europe/Free Europe should be more transnational research on Committee edited by Katalin Kádár Lynn Aija Kārkliņa, Skaidrīte Tērauds and Ženija emigrant politics like this. and published by Helena History Press fills Vītola are the LNAK Canadian task force the gap. The book also contains articles on the and can be considered founders of KLAM. Assembly of Captive European Nations or Since its inception a year ago, they have Free Europe University in Exile. Naturally, spent hundreds of hours organizing the the Baltic emigrants took part in these material acquired so far. forms of cooperation. Latvian Vilis Māsēns The goal of KLAM is to collect and, as was the first chairman of the ACEN and much as possible, house under one roof, shaped the organization. Many Baltic documents and artefacts of Latvians in students continued their education in the Canada from the end of the 19th Century to FEC sponsored Collège de Europe Libre the present day. in Strasbourg. As the US foreign policy started to emphasize co-existence with the The KLAM depository contains documents USSR, the funding of FEC was considerably from various organizations, active and diminished. Consequently, the actions inactive, personal documents, such as of ACEN were severely damaged and the immigration certificates, marriage and College closed once and for all in 1958. Despite the thorough articles, the book is merely an introduction to the topic. The same group came together last September in Gdansk to discuss the main activity, Radio Free Europe, and the publication is expected soon. Plans were also made for the next conference on transnational networks. For anyone interested in the political activity of emigrants of the Cold War, this book is a The organization behind the radio station definite companion. was Free Europe Committee. Even the name From left, Marianna Auliciema (LaPa - Latvians Pauli Heikkilä causes confusion, because it was founded ■ Abroad, Museum and Research Centre); Ženija as the Committee for Free Europe in May Vītols (Canadian Latvian Archives and Museum); 1949, though a few weeks later the appendix Antra Celmiņa (LaPa Board Member). ‘National’ came along. The name Free Location: KGB Building Riga- LaPa exhibition Europe Committee was adopted in 1954.

2014 no.4(9) BALTIC HERITAGE NETWORK 4 birth certificates, photographs, etc. Very interesting is the correspondence with relatives and friends in Latvia during the 50 years of Soviet occupation. These letters, often indirectly, tell a great deal about their life. The KLAM museum holds items people brought with them as they left their homeland: their Latvian passport, school diploma, a suitcase and a pair of mitts. Recently, in Latvia, an exhibition called “A The seminar was well attended. Latvian’s Suitcase” was opened to the public Photo: S. Charsika in the “Stūra māja” – KGB Building in Riga. The event brought together representatives We all carried such a suitcase going into from Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys, exile. The exhibition was curated by LaPa ( and Vilnius municipal public libraries. NLL Latvians Abroad – Museum and Research Lituanica Department staff gave the lectures. Centre). J. Budriūnienė, the director of the KLAM is not just a local archive. It operates Department, introduced participants and is governed by international rules to the Department’s main activities, and archival principles. In Latvia, KLAM current databases, and talked about the cooperates with the Latvian National digitalization of documents and their Library (LNB), Latvians Abroad – Museum integration process on the Internet (www. and Research Centre (Latvieši pasaulē - epaveldas.lt). Ms. Budriūnienė also No Home To Go To Exhibit LaPa) and the Museum of the Occupation of presented the main tools that the Lituanica Opened in Lithuania Latvia (LOM). Department uses to disseminate the On September 12, an exhibit No Home information about digitized documents. The original LNAK Archive was founded in to Go to: The Story of Baltic Displaced 1975. Mr. Jānis Mežaks was the principal Dr. Giedre Milerytė in her presentation Persons, 1944– 1952 opened at Vytautas archivist responsible for the collection. “Users of Documentary Heritage. Who Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania. The fonds are very well organized and go Are They?” spoke about the systematizing The exhibit, a joint project of Balzekas up to 2004. Active work was interrupted of documentary heritage, the target Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago, as Mr. Mežaks returned to live in Latvia. groups of users seeking information, and Vytautas Magnus University Lithuanian The Archives of Ontario in Toronto are the possibilities for researching digital Emigration Institute and Estonian, Latvian the official depository of the records of the resources. She presented the Lithuanian and Lithuanian diaspora communities, is a Federation. diaspora archival heritage database unique project that presents the exceptional Sietynas administered by Vytautas Magnus Many of us, having lived in Canada the living conditions of the Baltic diaspora in University Lithuanian Emigration Institute. greater part of our lives, are an integral part DP camps in Germany. of Canada, as also we have remained a part Dr. Dalia Cidzikaitė talked about the oral This year marks 70 years since Baltic of Latvia, where we were born. Therefore, it history project carried out by Lithuanian people, the political, cultural, and academic is important to continue the work started by American Community, Inc. and the book elite, trying to avoid Soviet repressions left Mr. Mežaks. Manėm, kad greit grįšim [We Thought We’d their countries and settled in DP camps Be Back Soon – 18 Stories of Lithuanian It is essential to continue to collect in Germany where they led an active World War II Refugees] based on the above information about Latvians in Canada as social and cultural life. They established mentioned project and published in 2014. evidence of the great contribution to their Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian schools, Dr. Cidzikaitė presented the genre of oral country of refuge, and as evidence to future the Baltic University, published newspapers history and its main features, emphasized generations, about the struggle to free their and books, organized theatrical gatherings, the importance of oral history projects homeland that was occupied by foreign concerts and art exhibitions. During and multiple possibilities of using them for forces for much too long. the first years of living abroad, the Balts regional libraries. protected and cherished their language and KLAM will be grateful for support and cultural traditions, the most important contributions, both archival and financial. guarantee of ethnic identity in exile. Further information is available at the LNAK office, 4 Credit Union Drive, Toronto, The exhibit, available in two languages ON, M4A 2N8; Tel. 416-755-2353; e-mail English and Lithuanian, shows the stages [email protected]. of emigration: fleeing West, living in the DP camps, and further emigration to other Ženija Vītols ■ countries. Educational Seminar The No Home To Go To exhibit opened at the Lituanica earlier at Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Department Dr. Dalia Cidzikaitė presented the Culture in Chicago and the Lithuanian genre of oral history. Embassy in Washington, DC. On October 6, the National Library of Photo : S. Charsika Lithuania hosted an educational seminar on VMU Lithuanian Emigration Institute how to use digital content in public libraries.

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The seminar also provided an opportunity homelands. Latvians, however, are steadily to discuss various forms of cooperation with moving forward with events such as these regional public libraries and other memory conferences. For this, we wish them success! institutions in Lithuania. ■ Piret Noorhani ■ NLL Lituanica Department The VEMU and ENM Sunny Archival days in Exhibition is Ready! Washington, DC Food – A Treasury of American Latvians held the second conference dedicated to the Latvian Estonian Heritage. diaspora’s archives, libraries and cultural Businesses and were also introduced to an exciting web materials from September 11 - 13. The first project about the Riga ghetto during Factories in Toronto. such conference was held in the spring of World War II. Afterwards, both Estonians The exhibition “Food – A Treasury of 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the and made presentations. I Estonian Heritage: Businesses and Factories Immigration History Research Centre introduced the work being done to preserve in Toronto” opened in Toronto at Tartu (IHRC). This year’s conference took place in the history of the Estonian diaspora, College on the 21st and 22nd of September. Washington, DC, and was organized by the describing the aims and achievement of The events included an English language American Latvian Association, the Latvian VEMU and the Baltic Heritage Network. symposium “Everyday Culture as a Keeper Embassy and the Library of Congress. The vice-president of the USA Lithuanian of National Identity”, the Dr. Vello Soots The first day of the conference was held at archives and the Chair of the archive Memorial Lecture delivered by the writer the Library of Congress. Participants were committee, Dale Lukas, gave an overview Elin Toona, followed by the premiere of welcomed by high-ranking officials: the of the Lithuanians’ archives, museums and the documentary film “Makers of Food” Library Director James Hadley Billington, libraries in the United States. (Toidutoojad). This series of events marked the Latvian Ambassador to the United States the 70th anniversary of the “Great Exodus”, Information was distributed on how to give Andris Rasāns, Congressman John Shimkus Tartu College’s 44th anniversary, and the guidance when old houses or flats are offered and several leaders of American Latvian start of the VEMU/ Estonian Studies Center for sale so that old documents, photos, rare organizations. The keynote speaker was academic year. books, etc., are not destroyed. Finally, the Grant Harris, the director of the European National Library of Latvia representative The exhibition project started about four Section of the Library of Congress. He described its information resources. years ago, with the idea of collecting told us of the founding of the Library of information about a variety of Estonian On the third day of the conference we drove businesses that have operated in Canada. to the Latvian Museum in Rockville. This We realized quickly that we had to come small, likeable display has been set up in to terms with a number of realities. To a Latvian centre that houses a number of begin with, there were too many businesses other Latvian organizations, including a operating over the years to fit them into library, Latvian and Estonian schools, the one exhibition. It seemed that it was more Joint Baltic American National Committee appropriate to focus on a narrower topic. (JBANC) and the World Federation of Free Also, there was a shortage of researchers: Latvians (PBLA). only the VEMU archivist. After a tour of the museum, the activities continued in work groups such as the digitization and publishing of visual Congress, of its collection policies and of materials and tips for community its cooperation with Latvians in Latvia as organizations wanting to write their well as the diaspora. During a break I had histories. Since these groups were working the good fortune to chat with the curator in Latvian, I was able to discuss work issues of the Baltic collection, Taru Spiegel, about with the archivist of the Lakewood Estonian the Estonian collections. Hopefully this will archives, Ave-Maria Blithe, who had just develop into a useful contact for VEMU. arrived to visit the museum. Presentations continued about Latvian I had interesting and useful meetings with printed collections, archives and museums both old and new acquaintances. Although in North America. In the afternoon, we Estonians might be a bit jealous of the work Another sad fact was that the VEMU were acquainted with the historic Library that American Lithuanians have done in collection, although otherwise large and well of Congress Jefferson Building. After this, a preserving their heritage, they can still organized, had less than 10 photos showing reception was held at the Latvian Embassy be an example to the Latvians. Although Estonian food businesses. All Estonians where the exhibition of the Latvian artist the Latvians in the US have a number of from the Toronto area had vivid memories Janis Šternbergs was opened. museum exhibitions, they lack archives of Rooneem’s and Amjärv’s bakery and The second day of the Conference where people may leave their own material confectionery shops, as well as Poko’s meat reconvened at the Embassy. The morning for preservation. Also, cooperation between and delicatessen shop. However, no archival was spent talking about the academic the Lithuanians and Estonians appears to be matter or materials existed. Information was research of the Latvian diaspora and the more advanced - both within the North- also missing about the fate of the original resources that support this research. We American communities as well as in their owners and their descendants. Everything would now have to be collected from scratch.

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It soon became clear that we could not finish of Baltic Countries have developed a this exhibition with our limited resources. virtual exhibit, Refugees from the Baltic Fortunately, it did not take much to persuade Countries in German Camps 1944-1955. Riina Reinvelt to help. As an experienced These institutions are the Estonian National ethnologist and a researcher of Estonians in Archives, the Latvian National Archives, exile, Riina had a like-minded interest. Her the Martynas Mazvydas National Library of employer, the Estonian National Museum, Lithuania, and the Baltic Heritage Network. was able to offer the necessary artistic and The creators of the exhibit offer a look into technical support for the exhibition set-up. the period of the refugee camps, beginning Additional help for Riina came from Maido with their formation, daily activities, Selgmäe, Merike Tamm and Tiit Sibul. Both holidays, and closing. Riina and Maido came to Canada to film Project team of the National Archives of Latvia. From left: Aija Kalnciema, Inese Kalnina, Ainars The camps were not only homes where the interviews. Riina also did thorough Mazversitis, Guntis Svitins, Gatis Karlsons and people lived temporarily, but also in archival research in Estonia and wrote the Birgit Kibal from The National Archives of Estonia. their own way, represented each Baltic exhibition text. Merike gave the exhibition Photo: Aleksandrs Alunans country’s traditions and way of life. Schools, its eye-catching design and Tiit sent the publications, books, theatre groups, exhibition off to Toronto. Mati Tee, of orchestras, ballet troops, and choruses Regio Ltd., was responsible for creating the were organized in the camps. Art exhibits, map that shows the location of all the food song festivals, concerts, and various sports’ businesses and the printing of the exhibition competitions took place in the camps. was done by OÜ Seridisain. A great many Various trade workshops such as sewing, people contributed to the completion of the shoe repair, metalworking, and others were exhibition and to all, a heart-felt thank you. popular. A great deal of attention was From the beginning, the idea was to compile paid to activities that maintained national an attractive and useful book complete with self-assurance such as the celebration of pictures and recipes from the exhibition first place of detention in Germany, where founders’ days and national holidays of material. The Koppel gift store of Toronto countless camps were organized, and which countries. had such a book, but information for other Those interested in this virtual exhibit stores could only be found in newspapers can become acquainted with documents, and then mostly in advertisements. photographs, and a small collection of movie Furthermore, the collection “Estonians fragments from camps. These offerings in Canada” only touches upon food stores can be of interest to specialists of history, briefly. We still do not have a book on food as well as to those studying Baltic history stores but the idea has not been forgotten. concurrent with that of Germany from 1944 In the end, we obtained more material than to 1951. we could use for the exhibition, but it can still be useful. Experience has shown that The opening of the virtual exhibit was on more information and materials will be From right: Mara Sprudza, director of National October 9, 2014 in Riga and specialists from submitted after an exhibition has been open Archives of Latvia and Birgit Kibal, Adviser for various memory institutions, as well from to the public. The plan is to select additional The National Archives of Estonia. the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of material and after a few years develop the Photo: Aleksandrs Alunans Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Latvians from book. However, an unplanned project – a Germany, and U.S.A. took documentary film “Makers of Food” was part. made possible by using the extra materials at hand. The film, by the Baltic Film and Media Visit the virtual exhibit here: http://www. School graduate Kaisa Pitsi, was shown at archiv.org.lv/baltijas_dp_vacija/ the EstDocs film festival in Toronto. ■ Guntis Svitins, The National Archives of The exhibition continues at Tartu College Latvia, Project manager until February, 2015. After that, the exhibition will tour North America and then VEMU Became an Estonia. Associate Member Dr. Hist. Karlis Kangeris of the Bloor Street ■ Piret Noorhani Photo: Aleksandrs Alunans Culture Corridor Virtual Exhibit: In April of this year, the Bloor Street Culture were later called DP Camps (displaced Refugees from the Corridor was established in Toronto, persons camps). According to historical bringing together important cultural Baltic Countries in research, it is calculated that approximately institutions between Bathurst Street and German Camps 1944-1951 40,000 Estonians, 171,000 Latvians, and Bay Street, such as the Royal Ontario 60,000 to 70,000 Lithuanians came to This year marks 70 years since thousands Museum, the Gardiner Museum, the Bata Germany. of citizens from the Baltic countries began Shoe Museum, the Royal Conservatory, their journey as refugees. A large number of To introduce the public to evidence, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, them left their birthplaces forever. processes, and activities of this dramatic Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, as well as the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Center, the Many of the refugees of 1944 found their period, the following archival institutions

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Native Canadian Center of Toronto, Alliance approaches as well as the more practical Française de Toronto, Instituto di Cultura, treatments were greeted with a keen spirit of and the Japanese Foundation. investigation and thus provided ample food for thought. The aim of the partnership is to increase awareness and appreciation of Bloor Street On September 20th, the Estonian Diaspora as a destination for professional cultural Academy joined forces with the Museum events and to take advantage of the synergy of Occupations to host an oral history day that results from cooperation. The Culture where the stage was taken by people who Corridor has already taken part in Open had first-hand experience with living in the Streets Toronto and Toronto’s Cultural Days. diaspora. They shared their families stories of escape and migration as well as provided After discussions with Heather Kelly, the insight into topics connected with settlement world-traveller Ahto Walter. Jaanis walked Culture Corridor founder and director, and acculturation. the listeners through his research process and with the approval of the Tartu College which has led him from Estonia to The The oral history day provided a scene for Board of Directors, approval was given , Canada, US Virgin Estonian Diaspora Academy’s fist book to VEMU/ Estonian Studies Center to Islands, and South Africa. presentation as well. „Mis teha? Siin ta become an associate member of the Bloor on“/“Refugee“ by Endel Kõks and Arnold Street Culture Corridor. VEMU has grown The seminar was topped off by a movie Sepp is a unique narrative in pictures session at the Kuusalu Cinema Society. professionally and this partnership should depicting the life of Estonian refugees in raise the profile of the work being done in The cosy but diverse group of seminar German Displaced Person’s Camps during participants enjoyed Elen Lotman’s Canada. It offers VEMU opportunities for the aftermath of the Second World War. broader cooperation, as well as a vehicle for documentary “Andy Stands Up” which is The humour embedded in the book offers centred around a San Francisco Estonian promoting its activities to the Canadian valuable insights into the diasporic condition stand-up comedian Andy Valvur’s first show multicultural audience. of the people who fled Estonia in fear of in his native land. After that it was time to Communist persecution and as such has ■ Piret Noorhani enjoy a set of archival footage from the vaults already attracted attention in the scholarly of the Estonian Film Archive. All of the clips International community. The book was re-issued under Ilvi Jõe-Cannon’s editorial leadership and were tied in with Estonian diaspora issues Diaspora Conference with the help of many donors. and spanned from the inter war period until in Tallinn 1989. ■ Maarja Merivoo-Parro This fall the Baltic community “Songs of Siberian commemorated the 70th anniversary of Celebrating the 20th Estonians” collection the great escape that took thousands of youth seminar Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians to the is now on-line West. In affiliation with that the Estonian BaltHerNet youth seminars have become a This online collection of songs of Estonians Diaspora Academy in collaboration with reliable presence in Baltic diaspora research in Siberia is based on a CD anthology ‘Songs Tallinn University Institute of History over the past five years. In November a of Siberian Estonians’, published in late and Expatriate Estonian Literature Centre small but significant jubilee took place in 2005 at the Estonian Literary Museum. The organized a conference for migration and the North-Estonian countryside – Kuusalu most important addition to the anthology diaspora researchers as well as archivists and became the stage for the 20th youth seminar. is video-material introducing the dances of museologists who are active in the field. The The location was chosen to further enrich Siberia’s Estonians, recorded in the same event took place at Tallinn University on the geographical and institutional diversity villages. The majority of the songs, dances September 18-19. that youth seminars are known for. In the and instrumental numbers were recorded when these traditions of Siberia’s Estonians The conference managed to attract many past these gatherings where young minds were already disappearing. The recordings key-figures in Estonian diaspora research can test their ideas with a friendly forum of were made during the fieldwork of the from Estonia, , , Germany, junior and senior colleagues have taken place Estonian Folklore Archives (EFA) in Siberia the United States, the United Kingdom, the in different memory institutions located in in 1991–2000; some video recordings are Netherlands and Latvia. The participants Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Tartu and Kaunas. from the years 2004 and 2012. ranged from an even wider geographical Kuusalu is not even a city, but it does have area. Two days of presentations and something unique to offer. A few years Supported by: discussions were audited by an interested ago it became home to a small but unique audience. Both the more theoretical archival collection and an accompanying Ministry of Education and Research, IUT book collection created by Väino Esken - an 22-4, National programme “The Estonian Estonian who spent most of his adult life in Language and Cultural Memory”, project Sweden. “Estonians in : Settlements History and Cultural Heritage”, Compatriots The first presentation of the day focused on Programme. the contents and history of the fund which is now part of Kuusalu library. Director Elle Compiled by Anu Korb Ots not only discussed the intricacies of Estonian Literary Museum 2014 the project but also showcased some of the more unique features of the collection. Film http://www.folklore.ee/pubte/eraamat/ director Jaanis Valk was the next to present. siberilaulud/eestlased/ He talked about his latest documentary Photo: Priit Parro project which is focused on an Estonian

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