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ESTOs and Estonianness – The Estonian National Museum and the Museum of Estonians Abroad are Collecting ESTO-Related Material

jaan. 19, 2018 Estonian Life No. 3 2018


The XII ESTO Days will be taking place in Helsinki, Tartu, and Tallinn in 2019. For this occasion, at the Estonian National Museum (ERM) will be opening a joint exhibition on the topic and in preparation we are asking for help from all those who have participated in ESTOs. The museums are interested in memories, as well as photos, films, advertisements, programs, souvenirs, letters sent home or to friends, postcards, and other material.

The corresponding questionnaire will help in writing down memories. It is available at the Estonian National Museum and the Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU) or the museums' websites (www.erm.ee/esto, vemu.ca). However, we welcome all of your other memories and impressions of the ESTOs. The memories can be written in either Estonian or English.

Materials sent to the ERM will stay in the ERM collections, so the researchers can use them at a later date. ERM has also collected compatriots' memories on the topic of “Fleeing the Homeland. The First Decade in Exile,” “Estonians Abroad 1955-2000,” “Trips to Soviet Estonia,” and “Letters from Far Away.” The museum has archives of Estonians abroad (Republic of Estonia Consul General in New York, Endel Tulving, Hans Teetlaus, and others), the University of Tartu Centre for Expatriate Estonian Studies materials on the topic “The Role of Estonians Abroad in the Restoration of Estonian Independence,” photo collections, interviews recorded during field work, publications, and artifacts. ESTO material would be an important addition in preserving our compatriots' cultural heritage.

The VEMU archive collection is the largest Estonian collection located outside of Estonia, where there are also historical ESTO small publications, photos, films, festival mementos, as well as archival documents. We know that there is still much more exciting material necessary for the exhibit in the homes of Estonians, which VEMU would be happy to accept. We especially welcome high quality photos, films and personal memories about the ESTOs, which have not yet been as purposely collected.

Please send your contribution and materials to the Museum of Estonians Abroad (310 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 1W4, Canada, piret.noorhani@vemu.ca) or to the Estonian National Museum (Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu, Estonia, tiina.tael@erm.ee) by June 15, 2018.

ESTOs and Estonianness
Questionnaire

1. What was the first ESTO that you participated in? What are your most vivid impressions and memories from that event?
2. What other ESTOs have you participated in (when and where)?
3. Which one was the most memorable? Why?
4. Did something happen at one of the ESTOs that has been especially memorable and that affected other ESTOs or your later life?
5. What are the main reasons why you have participated in ESTOs?
6. What role have you been in at ESTOs? Describe your activities at ESTOs. If you have been part of the organizing team, describe the division of work, tasks, and organization schedule in detail.
7. In your opinion, what is the importance of ESTOs to Estonians living abroad? Has this changed over time?
8. How have non-Estonians and host countries related to ESTOs?
9. What ESTO events have been your favourites? Why?
10. Have other events and gatherings taken place at ESTOs aside from the official programmed activities?
11. Who are the leading figures in the organization of ESTOs? Describe them and their activities.
12. How many of your family members or friends have participated in ESTOs? To what extent has the event offered interest to non-Estonian family members and friends?
13. How have ESTOs been reflected in the media of the host country? Do you have newspaper clippings, sound or video recordings or other material that document these events?
14. How did Estonians mark or label themselves during ESTOs (clothing, jewellery, national colours, car decorations etc)?
15. What were other events that took place either before or after ESTOs? What was their main purpose and did you participate in them?
16. Did you travel only to attend ESTO or did you plan a larger trip in that respective host country? What and whom did you visit?
17. How easy or complicated has it been to participate in ESTOs? How expensive was it to participate in ESTOs and travel to them? Did you have to miss some ESTOs due to finances or other reasons?
18. What other festivals for Estonians abroad have you participated in, in your country of residence and elsewhere?
19. What role did you have in these events? Describe your activities.

Do you have photos, films, advertisements, programs, souvenirs, letters sent home or to friends, postcards or other material from ESTOs? Would you be willing to donate them to the Estonian National Museum or to the Museum of Estonians Abroad?

Please send your contribution and material to either the Museum of Estonians Abroad (310 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 1W4, Canada, piret.noorhani@vemu.ca) or to the Estonian National Museum (Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu, Estonia, tiina.tael@erm.ee)

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