A Long-time Dream Come True

The Estonian World Council, in collaboration with the City of Pärnu, is honored to announce the unveiling of a memorial sculpture dedicated to the generation of Estonians who were forced to flee their homeland during the Mass Flight of 1944. This significant event will take place on September 21 on the banks of the Pärnu River, a poignant location where many bid their final farewells. The project was funded by generous donations from Estonians abroad, many WWII refugees themselves, their descendants and families, and friends of the community. The City of Pärnu has donated the land for the place of remembrance. The entire project, including planning, organizing, and leadership, has been funded through global voluntary donations.

Memorial Opening Details:

Date: September 21, 2024

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: Pärnu River Park, Pärnu, Estonia

Event Highlights: Numerous events will take place as part of this memorial opening, scheduled as part of commemorations marking 80 years since the Mass Flight of 1944 from Estonia. See below for additional commemorative events, concerts and services.

Unveiling Ceremony: The memorial sculpture, created by renowned Estonian artist Elo Liiv, will be unveiled. This sculpture symbolizes the profound emotions of love, anguish, and resilience experienced by the tens of thousands of Estonians who fled their homeland in 1944.

Speeches and Reflections: Esteemed guests, including former President of Estonian Toomas H. Ilves, representatives from the Estonian government, the Estonian World Council, 1944 refugees and their descendants will share their reflections on this historic event.

Cultural Performances and Discussions: Estonian choir and musical performances will honor the cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the Estonian people.

Quotes:

Kristi Vuht-Allpere, the project lead for the creation of memorial sculpture, who herself was a small 1.5-year-old refugee from Pärnu, expressed the deep significance of this memorial:

“Our parents and grandparents who were forced to leave to survive are being recognized and honored on Estonian soil. Their hearts remained here, in Estonia, as did their lives and families. After World War II, fate scattered Estonian citizens across the globe. It is essential to understand that at that moment, it was an impossible choice — but the only path that gave them hope of survival. This understanding is encapsulated in the slogan that emerged from the memories of the 1944 Mass Flight: ‘We do not want to leave, but we cannot stay.’ Hopes of ever returning to Estonia were shattered when the Soviet occupation authorities built the so-called ’Iron Curtain,’ locking our homeland’s door, preventing entry or exit. In exile, the homeland was never forgotten; to the contrary, Estonia was ever-present, always in their hearts. Most of that generation—our grandparents and parents—rest in foreign lands. They were buried with a handful of Estonian soil, a few cornflowers, and a small Estonian flag.”

Ene Täht, Deputy Mayor of Pärnu and a major partner in this initiative, added:

“The memorial being erected in honor and memory of the people who had to flee from Pärnu and Pärnumaa helps to emphasize the consequences of the 1944 Mass Flight, helps preserve historical memory, and helps better understand the impact this tragic period had on society. The artwork created by sculptor Elo Liiv conveys a strong sense of sacrifice for the continuation of life, farewell, and hope. The City of Pärnu is extremely grateful to the initiator and leader of the idea, Kristi Vuht-Allpere, the 1944 Mass Flight Committee of the Estonian World Council, and its chairperson Iivi Zajedova, as well as all the donors. Thanks to you, a profound and valuable piece of art is being added to the urban space of Pärnu.”

Elo Liiv, artist and sculptor of the memorial sculpture:

 “The memorial will depict both personal and historical tragedy, connecting hearts torn apart. The banks of the Pärnu River were precisely where the boats were launched. It was a moment filled with anxiety, confusion, sadness, anticipation, and hope—a historical struggle for survival. When you don’t want to leave, but you can’t stay… Those stepping into the boats did not know what awaited them or if their feet would ever touch their homeland’s soil again. Would they ever again see their families and everything they had lived and worked for together?

Those who stayed behind suffered just as much as those who left; they did not hear from their loved ones for years, and the heavy yoke of occupation began. It was a moment when close ties were severed, leaving behind heartache, longing, guilt, and invisible connections that were kept alive in secret throughout the occupation.

Hopefully, this memorial on the banks of the Pärnu River will become a symbolic bridge for those who suffered in the turmoil of history, for all those who lost their lives while fleeing, or their loved ones, and for all the descendants of refugees who had to grow up abroad without a fatherland or motherland. It will create a visual connection full of memories between those who left and those who stayed.”

Historical Context:

In 1944, as World War II raged on, Estonia found itself caught between two occupying forces: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. As the Red Army advanced, approximately 70,000 to 80,000 Estonians made the heart-wrenching decision to flee their homeland to escape the Soviet terror.  This mass exodus, known as the Mass Flight or Great Flight, saw families torn apart and lives irrevocably changed. Many fled by sea to Sweden and Germany, while others made perilous journeys to other parts of Europe and beyond. An estimated to 6,000 to 7,000 refugees did not survive the journey for a variety of reasons, of course including the brutal bombings by the Russians. The trauma of displacement and the hope for a free Estonia remained with these refugees and their descendants, shaping their identities and communities in exile.

Schedule of Events: Events in conjunction with the monument opening are marked **

September 18, 2024:

ּ5:00 PM: Meeting of Mass Flight refugees with Tallinn Secondary School of Science (Tallinna Reaalkool) students.

September 19, 2024:

5:00 PM: Commemorative event at the memorial stone behind St. Michael’s Church (Mihkli kirik) in Tallinn /at the EWC information plaque.

5:15 PM – 5:45 PM: Ceremony at Freedom Sqaure (Vabaduse Väljak) by the War of Independence monument. Ringing of church bells throughout Estonia.

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Memorial service at St. John’s Church (Jaani kirik) in Tallinn. Performance by the Arsis Handbell Ensemble.

**September 20, 2024:

12:00 PM: “Meeting of the Generations” with Noorte Vabamu at Pärnu Museum. (Meeting of Mass Flight refugees with students)

6:00 PM: Evening chat with sculptor Elo Liiv at Pärnu Museum.

**September 21, 2024:

All Day: Exhibit at Pärnu Museum. Curated by Harry Liivrand.

3:00 PM: Unveiling of the Mass Flight Memorial at the Kesklinna Bridge in Pärnu.

7:00 PM: Pärnu Concert Hall’s season opening concert, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO), conducted by Maestro Neeme Järvi, Eesti Kontsert.

**September 22, 2024:

11:00 AM: Memorial service at St. Elizabeth’s Church (Eliisabeti kirik) in Pärnu.

Partner Organizations:

This memorial and related commemorative events were made possible through the generous support and collaboration of several partner organizations, including:

Council of Estonian Societies in Australia, Estonian American National Council¸ Estonian Ecumenical Relief Organisation (EERO Canada), City of Pärnu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Pärnu Museum, Association of Estonians in Sweden (REL), Eesti Kontsert, Tallinn Secondary School of Science, Tammepuu Eesti Klubi MTÜ, VABAMU Museum of Occupations and Freedoms youth engagement NoVa.

Additional Information:

Kristi Vuht-Allpere, whose heart and idea have driven this project for over two years, leads the 1944 Mass Flight Memorial project. What seemed like a “fantasy” was realized through the leadership of the 1944 Mass Flight Committee of the EWC. It has been a “full-time job” for many members and helpers of the committee – we have built a strong team. The significance of the memorial has touched the hearts of refugees’ descendants and their friends in the USA, Canada, Australia, and at home in Estonia. Positive feedback has also come from Sweden. In six months, over 85,000 euros have been raised, and donations continue to come in.

The memorial, dedicated to all refugees of this generation and families affected, will be respectfully placed on the banks of the Pärnu River, from where thousands also fled. With the cooperation and moral support of the City of Pärnu, the project will be completed. Like the powerful monument to the victims of deportation in Tallinn and the war memorials, the 1944 Mass Flight of Refugees memorial will draw attention and raise historical questions about our nation’s very complex fate.

For more information & resources about the memorial and Mass Flight, partners, bios of the artist and organizer, and additional events, please visit www.estosite.org. 

80^th Anniversary of Mass Flight Commemorative emblem for your use, attached (or downloadable at www.estosite.org)

Media Opportunities:

Interviews: Opportunities to interview key speakers and descendants of the 1944 refugees.

Photo and Video: Capture the unveiling ceremony and cultural events, church services.

RSVP and Media Inquiries:

Please RSVP to ensure your place at this historic event.                                            

For media inquiries, please contact Kristi Allpere at EE tel +372 5611 1717 ; US +1 (770) 713-8178 or kristi.allpere@gmail.com, reelikalume@gmail.com

Join us in commemorating the resilience and sacrifices of the 1944 generation and in celebrating the enduring spirit of the Estonian people.

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About the Estonian World Council:

The Estonian World Council is dedicated to preserving and promoting Estonian heritage and culture worldwide. Through various initiatives and events, the Council aims to honor the history and contributions of Estonians globally.