80 Years Since the Mass Flight of 1944 "Suurpõgenemine"
80 years have passed since the Mass Flight of 1944, a somber anniversary of a fateful time. This history will be remembered with a series of events from September 16 to 29, 2024 in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, and elsewhere.
In the tumultuous year of 1944, it is estimated 70,000-80,000 Estonian citizens were forced to flee their homeland to escape the Soviet occupiers and horrific oppression. EANC, together with the Estonai WOrld Council, has been busy organizing a series of events, including information seminars, interviews, conferences, and more to honor and remember this significant chapter in our history.
To ensure the remembrance of this event among new generations, both in the diaspora community and in Estonia, numerous events, such as conferences, exhibits, concerts, church services, films, school essay contests, etc. are scheduled. This ongoing project aims to inform and connect younger Estonian generations, the Estonian public and other world citiziens of the journey, the historical importance, and the contributions of the Estonain diaspora in the restoration of Estonian independence.
A key component of this year´s commemorative events is the establishment of a special memorial sculpture to be unveiled on September 21, 2024, in Pärnu. This sculpture, by artist Elo Liiv, is to be placed near the Pärnu River, will stand as a symbolic and pioneering memorial, jointly funed by the worldwide Estonian diaspora.
Your support has been and continues to be crucial in bringing this vision to life. We invite you to join this cause by making a generous contribution.´or by helping spread the word. Whether big or small, your donation will have a meaningful impact on the success of this project and will help ensure the recognition of the immense sacrifices made by those who faced the impossible choice to stay or go in truly harrowing times.
Thank you for joining us in preserving the Estonian story and honoring our history, as we continue to support and grow a vibrant Estonian-American community here in the U.S.
Photo from VES
Sketch of Memorial Sculpture
The Mass Exodus of Flight of 1944
It has been 80 years since the peak of the mass exodus of Estonians, families and individuals leaving their beloved homeland to flee persecution and repression by the occupying forces of Soviet Russia.
Here are some events scheduled in Estonia to discuss and commemorate those fateful events in 1944.
14.03: On Estonian Language Day, an award ceremony was held in the Riigikogu conference hall to announce the winners of the student essay contest on the subject "I don't want to go, but I cannot stay."
Spring 2024: In order to capture the memory of those forced to leave their homeland, the Estonian Institute for Historical Memory announces a photo and video contest for young people aged 12 to 25 years old, entries accepted until June 20, 2024.
June - November: Outdoor exhibits featuring displays related to the mass flight take place in six different locations in Estonia.
20.-21.07: Paide-Tartu-Mõniste historical conference "Repressed without Borders, or The Memory of Pain is Long."
4-9 August: The Estonian Institute for Historica Memory hosts the summer school "he Fsteful Year of 1944" for young people of Estonian origin from outside Estonia.
2.-11. August: Kihnus Metsamaa real black farm performance "The Windows of Home Don’t Forget.
10.08: The re-creation of the last boat escape -- that of the sailboat Enge -- is repeated in the Kalana Marina in Hiiumaa, the sailing ship "LISETTE" leaves the Kalana harbor and heads to the Dalarö harbor in Sweden. The local shoreline community (local historical society) will host and organize a small history lesson. Reception in Dalarö harbor in Sweden on 12.08 at 13.00.
24.08: Conference "Estonian War Refugees in World War II" at the Haapsalu Culture Center. Presentation of the database "Estonian War Refugees in World War II". Premiere of a documentary film that brings to the viewer the topic of helping refugees, the stories of refugees and returnees in the example of Sweden, and illustrates the void left by refugees in Estonian society. In the evening, a presentation of Raimo Kangro's "Mass for Innocently Died Estonians" (1989, op. 40) in Haapsalu Cathedral.
07.09: Presentation of Raimo Kangro's "Mass for Estonians who died innocently" (1989, op. 40) in Tartu St. Paul's Church.
Swedish Estonian Union's commemorative ceremony for Estonian war refugees on Gotland, EMI documentary film, and presentation of a collection of articles dedicated to boat refugees, the opening of the exhibition.
13.09: Various lectures, concerts, visits to the territory of the Defense Forces, and other events in Visby.
14.09: A wreath is placed near the port of Slite in Gotland and various places are visited with the delegations. Speakers of the Latvian-Lithuanian-Estonian Parliament will take part in the ceremony.
16.-29.09: Across Estonia: Time travel for schoolchildren on the topic of escape in 1944, organized by ERM in cooperation with the Estonian History and Social Studies Society and the Estonian Institute for Historical Memory.
17.09: Conference "Stories of Adaptation" at Tartu Literary Museum. “What does it mean to be a female refugee?"
19.09: in Tallinn:
13:00 – 16:00 Conference at the Estonian Parliament building. "The Revolutionary Autumn of 1944 and Its Legacy."
17:15 – 17:30 Ceremony in Tallinn Freedom Square at the foot of the Statue of Liberty
18:00 -19:00 Church service at St. John's Church in Tallinn
20.09: Pärnu: 12 pm NoVa Meeting of the generations at the Pärnu Museum
17:00 Meeting with sculptor Elo Liiv. A special event where donors and dignitaries can meet the artist behind the beautiful new sculpture to be unveiled on Sept 21 in remembrance of the Mass Flight.
21.09: Opening of the Pärnu Great Escape memorial at 3:30 pm. The commemorative event in Puise is organized by the Estonian Memento Union, the Estonian Former Forest Brothers Union, the Defense League Lääne malev and the Naiskodukaitse Lääne district.
19:00: Presentation of Raimo Kangro's "Mass for Innocently Killed Estonians" (1989, op. 40) in Tallinn's Kaarli Church.
"Ülemere Ruõtsi 1944" exhibition in the Kihnu Museum, combining stands with unique stories and photos, opens up to Estonians the tragic boat escape of August and September 80 years ago.
21. - 22.09: Theater performances in Kuressaare "80 years. On the other side of the water."
23.09: Vabamu Museum Seminar "Ukraine and Estonia: The Fate of Female Refugees in 1944 and 2022."
27.09: Conference at Saaremaa Museum in Kuressaare Castle
And Commemorations in the United States:
21.09: Washington Estonian Society event. Personal stories of the events of 1944ö pre-screening of short films by Mae Productions.(https://balticstories.ca/) The Baltimore Washington Estonian Mixed Choir and folkdance group Pillerkaar will perform, and we will enjoy each other’s company, bring snacks and drinks.
22.09: Commemorative event of the 80th anniversary of the Mass Flight, organized by the Estonian Society of Boston: Brief Presentation and Video
Panel discussion with "refugees", Anne-Reet Annunziata and Marilem Ferrentinos lead the conversation
Performance by the Boston Estonian School choir.
22.09: Commemorative event co-hosted by Estonian Embassy in DC, Estonian American National Council, NY Educational Society, and the Foundation for Estonian Arts & Letters. The program will be in the presence of the President of the Republic of Estonia, and will feature welcome by EANC president Mai-Liis Bartling, the NY Estonian Mixed Choir, some reflections by EANC Member Andres Simonson, performances by solist Isabelle-Mary Roosm, cellist Brendan Tarm, and pianist Cade Roberts; closing remarks by NY Estonian Educational Sociey President Carl Skonberg. Reception.
26.09. Screening of the film "Paradox of Seabrook Farms" by Merits Productions.Eight decades after the Mass Flight of 1944 from Estonia it is poignant to take a look at one of the key landing places for Estonians as they tried to rebuild their lives while holding on to their hopes, dreams, and culture after having fled their homeland.
28.09 Commemorative Event at the Lakewood Estonian House, details pending.
03.11: EANC Annual Meeting will feature tributes and discussion remembering "I don't want to go, but I can't stay" in Chicago.
09.11. Commemoration event held by the Connecticut Estonian Society. Feturing personal stories, short movie, reflections and more. Potluck buffet held in honor of VälisEesti päev.
09. 11 Commemoration event with teh Estonian Society of Southern FLorida. Estonian House, time and program TBA.
MOVIES - SHOWS - DIGITAL COLLECTIONS DOCUMENTARY:
In the film, Jüri Hansen publishes excerpts from his diary: escape, work, keeping Estonianness, retirement, and memories of Estonia.
The interview was filmed in 2011. Koitjärve, Sweden. "It was 1944 when we came to Sweden and came out of Hiiumaa with a three-masted sailboat called "ENGE"." - this is how Jüri's story begins...
Film project (22 min) in Toronto: My folk costumes /// My folk costume Maie Ilves; Ode to Kihnu /// Ode to Kihnu Jaan Klaas; Where is Aino /// Where did Aino go Anne Mai Kaunismaa
Patterns of memory: Patterns of memory Leida Kilu, "I will be a tour man" & "When I grow up," Tamara Norheim-Lehela
www.ruudiproductions.com
KOGU ME LUGU - video library collected by the Institute of Estonian Memory 2013-2022, see keyword "escape to the west" Database of Estonian war refugees in the Second World War Documentary "The Girl Behind the Iron Curtain":
ERR is preparing a documentary about the exile in connection with the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape in 2024. "Eesti on vaataja mälmenis" author Maarja Merivoo- Parro , director Andres Lepasar.
Also, Vikerradio is making a series of radio programs about Estonians.
Additional Resources
Photo from Database of Refugees of World War II web page
Database of refugees of World War II
The Second World War forced tens of thousands of Estonians to leave their homeland. In 2022, the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory began compiling a database of people who left Estonia during World War II. The patron of the initiative is the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis.
The first stage of data collection will end in September 2024, when 80 years will have passed since the end of battles in Estonia and the forceful re-establishment of Soviet rule. After that, the Institute will continue with the research of persons who found a new home in Europe, North America, Australia and elsewhere after leaving Estonia. The database will serve as a basis for future research, as well as a memorial to the previous generations' life paths.
The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory is grateful for any support in collecting data on those who left Estonia.
Partners and Supporters
Recognizing and commemorating the events of 1944 is essential not only for honoring the sacrifices of the past but also for fostering a stronger connection between Estonians at home and those abroad. This shared history, often overlooked, has the potential to unite the Estonian nation culturally, economically, and politically. It is an opportunity for both the central organization of Estonians abroad and the Estonian government to work together in preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of Estonia's diaspora.
Ülemaailmse Eesti Kesk-nõukogu (ÜEKN) | Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides (ERKÜ) | Tammepuu Eesti Klubi (TEK) | Rootsi Eestlaste Liit (REL) | Pärnu Linnavalitsus | Eesti Ajaloo- ja Ühiskonnaõpetajate Selts (EAÜS) | Tallinna Ülikool | ERMi hariduskeskus | Eesti Meremuuseum | Eesti Mälu Instituut
On behalf of the organizers and everyone involved, thank you to our partners and supporters for joining us in preserving and honoring the past.