Estonians Worldwide Joined to Create a Special Place of Remembrance
Elo Liiv, sculptor
...hetk, kus lähedased sidemed katkesid, õhku jäid südamevalu ja igatsus, süümepiinad, nähtamatud ühenduslõimed, mida hoiti salaja elus kogu okupatsiooni kestel.
The Mass Flight of 1944
80 years ago, amidst the chaos of World War II, the Estonian people's destiny took a drastic turn. The Soviet Union seized control of the country, subjecting the people of Estonia to a half-century of occupation and oppression. Among other atrocities, between 70,000 - 80,000 Estonian citizens made the impossible choice to flee their beloved homeland to escape the terror. Uprooted from their homes, leaving behind loved ones indefinitely, facing perilous journeys, they became displaced persons and refugees, facing the grim alternatives of death, imprisonment, or exile in the Siberian Gulag.
During their harrowing escape to the West, thousands perished. They fled across land and sea, using any available means of transportation, from small boats to foot travel. Bereft of the possibility of returning home, they were scattered worldwide, embarking on the daunting task of starting anew. The anguish of leaving Estonia haunted them perpetually, but their love for Estonia has been passed on through actions and advocacy for generations.
Today, these resilient refugees and their descendants from around the world, came together to fund a physical place of remembrance, a touching and tangible memorial sculpture in Estonia, as a symbol of profound respect and in recognition of the excruciating sacrifices made in the name of freedom in 1944. Finally, these little-talked about stories and family histories, are returning home to Estonia.
Commemorative Sculpture in Pärnu
In memory of the impossible choice and harrowing journey these tens of thousands were forced to make, the Estonian World Council commissioned a memorial sculpture by Estonian artist Elo Liiv. This beautiful sculpture was unveiled on September 21, 2024 in Pärnu, Estonia in a park on the banks of the Pärnu River, a place where thousands bid their final farewells. This monument stands as a tribute to all Estonians faced with that impossible choice, regardless of their own point of departure -- beach, cove, port or path.
Your generous donations has been crucial to the creation and placement of this touching sculpture, which seeks to commemorate the sacrifices made by our parents' and grandparents' generations. This monument, an artful and larger-than-life sculpture is now open to the public and available for everyone to visit, contemplate, see -- and yes, touch. The monument has been gifted to the City of Pärnu, and will be moved even closer to the river, where it will take on even more artful and symbolic existence, once the necessary work to better fortify the river bank itself is complete.
Heartfelt thanks to all of you have helped make this long-time dream a beautiful and meaningful reality!
The Estonian American National Council presents Puudutus/Touch (Trailer)
We hope you enjoy the preview of our film titled "TOUCH" (PUUDUTUS), which documents the making and meaning behind this poignant monument of the same name. The monument was unveiled on September 21st, 2024 during the nationwide commemorations marking 80 years since the Mass Flight of 1944. The full documentary will be released in 2025.
Like the monument, this film is dedicated to the generation of the 1944 Mass Flight from Estonia.
The film features some of those individuals involved with the 2024 Mass Flight commemorations, and of course, the Estonians who made the journey themselves.
The Puudutus monument in Pärnu (artist: Elo Liiv) was made wholly thanks to the generous donations made by Estonians and friends around the world.
EANC thanks all of you for your contributions, and we are honored to be able to at least offer you a glimpse of this touching place of remembrance and for what it means. It will stand as a touchpoint of history, a source of information and inspiration for visitors and locals alike.
EANC will continue to help bring The Mass Flight of 1944, its reasons and consequences, into the historical records and into the public eye.
Directors: Kaidor Kahar, Marko Piirsoo.
Editor: Mirjam Mattiisen.
Camera: Tarvo Tammeoks, Heini
Heinlaid, Aivo Rannik.
Reporter: Ode Maria Punamäe.
Production Sound Mixer: Peeter Annikvee.
Music Production Assistant: Heli Teedla.
Producer Kaidor Kahar.
Ways to donate
Donations can be made either through the Estonian American National Council (Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides, ERKÜ) or the Estonian World Council (Ülemaailmne Eesti Kesknõukogu, ÜEKN). Contributions are being collected around the world. While we accept donations via the organizations above, donors outside of the USA might want to contact the central Estonian organization in their home country for convenience.
Checks are preferred (*no fees), but donations via Paypal and Venmo are also accepted.
1. Online: Visit our secure donation portals to contribute conveniently and securely.
2. By mail: Please send a check or money order payable either to "Estonian American National Council" or "Estonian World Council" with "Pärnu Project" noted in the memo line. Mailing address:
EANC, Pärnu Project
c/o Leelo Linask
16 Pepperidge Rd.
Monroe, CT, 06468, USA
Estonian World Council, Pärnu Project
c/o Liivika Koren
311 56th St.
Kenosha, WI 53140, USA
We can't thank you enough for joining us in preserving and honoring the past. Your contributions have ensured that on this 80th anniversary, the Mass Flight of 1944 is remembered and recognized with the respect and significance it deserves.
Together, we made it happen -- a symbol of resilience, unity, and remembrance.
Elo-Katre Liiv
Estonian sculptor, installation artist, and educator
Born in 1971, Elo-Katre Liiv is a renowned Estonian sculptress with over three decades of experience. She is known for her depictions of spiritual emotions and profound awareness of human values. Some of her notable works include the Jaan Poska memorial sculpture in Kadriorg and the memorial sculpture to the victims of World War II in Kärdla. Additionally, she has created memorials to Ülo Pärnits, Kalju Lepik, and Heino Kurgvel in Pärnu in 2022. Liiv has organized and participated in numerous art exhibits in Estonia and across Europe.
As a humanitarian, she is deeply interested in human resources and development, advocating for religious freedom, equal opportunity, and the preservation of natural resources. Liiv's education began in 1983 at the Estonian Art Academy, and she continued her studies in Sweden, Spain, and Finland. In 2003, her Master's dissertation, titled "Kõiksuse kodu," was exhibited at the Pärnu New Art Museum. From 2005 to 2010, she served as a professor in the sculpture department of the Estonian Art Museum. From 2017 to 2020, she worked as a lighting specialist and contributed to visual installations in connection with EV100, the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. Liiv's achievements are extensive and diverse. Her most recent memorial sculpture commemorates 80 years since the Mass Flight of 1944. Scheduled for completion in September 2024, the memorial sculpture to be place in Pärnu symbolizes profound emotions of love and anguish in saying farewell to loved ones.
News, articles, and additional resources
ERR (video): https://kultuur.err.ee/1609192681/parnusse-pustitatakse-1944-aasta-suurpogenemise-malestusmark
ERR (radio): https://news.err.ee/1609193515/parnu-to-erect-memorial-to-estonians-who-fled-in-1944
Pärnu Postimees: https://parnu.postimees.ee/7961036/parnu-joe-aarde-kerkib-annetuste-toel-80-aasta-tagustele-sundmustele-puhendatud-malestusmark
Meet the people who made this happen
Iivi Zajedova
Estonian World Council 1944 Mass Flight Commemoration Committee, Chairman
Dr. Iivi Zajedova, a cultural historian and political scientist, is an organizer of research and cultural events. She earned her PhD from Charles University, in Prague, with a grant from the Estonian Research Council for her studies at the London School of Economics.
She is a senior researcher at Tallinn University on the topic of Estonian Diaspora Culture, and at the Department of Political Science FSV UK is teaching the Baltic studies. She is a promoter of Estonian-Czech cultural relations and the founder of the Prague Czech-Estonian Club. An honorary member of the Estonian Theatre Union (EBL), she has been awarded the Order of the White Star. Dr. Zajedova is the founder of the EWC Suurpõgenemine 1944 (Mass Flight, SP 1944) Commemoration Committee and has been leading the annual SP1944 commemorative events, including seminars, conferences, memorial events and services, events in Estonia from 2018 to 2023 in September.
Kristi Vuht Allpere
Estonian World Council 1944 Mass Flight Commemoration Committee, Pärnu Sculpture, Project Manager
As an Estonian/American/Canadian, born in Pärnu, she is proud to be a “Child of the Suurpõgenemine ’44”. She treasures the gift of stories and memories from family and friends.
Kristi studied history at the University of Toronto and has never ceased to be fascinated with unearthing family roots and stories. A passionate volunteer, in both American and Estonian worlds for decades, she believes in “giving back” to society. She appreciates how fortunate she has been because of the lessons and values of her refugee /immigrant background. Kristi is married to Aadu Jaak Allpere, also a 1944 refugee, and treasures her 2 sons and their families.
Working on “Suurpõgenemine ’44 / Pärnu Memorial project” is her “Great Passion”. Honoring this generation who struggled, persevered, and whose courage and resilience molded our lives forever. Read Kristi's Appeal »
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].