What was the country that was created in 1918 and was fought over in the subsequent War
of Independence? What were people fleeing from, defying the autumn storms of 1944,
sometimes at the cost of their lives? What lay ahead for those who stayed? As a result of the
terrors of the occupying power, Estonia lost one in five of its population of just over one
million. In total, more than 75,000 Estonians were murdered, imprisoned or deported.
Despite the dangers, an estimated 80,000 people decided to escape to the free world. There
could be no illusions about what was to come, after the first Soviet occupation in 1940.


The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory is again welcoming participants to a summer
school! This time, we are especially encouraging applications from young people of Estonian
heritage who are studying at the upper secondary school or undergraduate levels in order to
introduce them to 20th-century Estonian history and give them the opportunity to forge new
friendships and see their ancestral homeland.

The program includes stimulating presentations, film screenings, excursions, visits to museums and places of remembrance, and discussions, as well as the opportunity to get to know Estonia’s beautiful nature.

As well as the capital, Tallinn, we will visit Tartu, the European Capital of Culture 2024, and spend a
day in Viljandi. In addition to enjoying the educational program you will have the chance
to swim in a bog lake and see how Estonia’s “Forest Brothers” lived as they fought for freedom and against foreign rule. On the other side of the Iron Curtain, the spirit and ideas of freedom were carried on by those who had left. In 1991, we restored our independence together, and now we can be
together again. So come on over!

The programme of the summer school will be held in English, and participation at the summer school is free of charge. The Estonian Institute of Historical
Memory cover the costs of the programme, catering and accommodation in twin rooms.
Participants are responsible for organising and paying for their transport to and from Estonia
themselves. There will be a competition to select the participants. Applications to the
Summer School are open until 30 April. Applicants will be notified of the results by 6
May.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduUflfJ5yduZ3IgwAsbZqnivYd5ZVVE7MX71vqB-lSXBXGwg/viewform

More information: konkurss@mnemosyne.ee