Monthly Archives: July 2022

Meeting with Teachers from Lithuanian Schools Abroad

On July 22, the National Library of Lithuania hosted a meeting of Lithuanian language school teachers from different parts of the world, even from as far away as Chile, who had come to Vytautas Magnus University for intensive Lithuanian studies. At the Library, they listened to lectures presented by the researchers of the Library’s Documentary Heritage Research Department, visited current exhibitions, and had interesting discussions.

Read more July 27, 2022

Oskar Meltsas. Piirita Siberimaa. Siberi eestlase mälestused. (Siberia Without Borders. Memoirs of an Estonian in Siberia) Tänapäev 2022, 183 p.

The memoirs of Oskar Meltsas have now made it to readers, a genuine glimpse into how an Estonian community in Western Siberia, Zolotaja Niva (est. 1895), came to be while also telling the story of what day-to-day life was like in the village from it’s formation to the First World War.

Read more July 25, 2022

A Uniquely Historical Summer

The summer of 2022 is history, and for BaltHerNet, it was uniquely historical. At the end of June and beginning of July, Estonian members and friends of BaltHerNet came together at the summer school in Hiiumaa. We hadn’t been able to meet since 2019! We had slightly fewer participants this time; many still didn’t want to risk travelling with Covid-19 around, and some feared the war in Ukraine and decided not to participate. Those who did make it thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful weather and picturesque Suuremõisa manor and park. We were overjoyed to see old friends again and form new connections. Being able to exchange ideas with colleagues and the time spent together was a much-needed energy boost for us all. Thank you to Helgi Põllo and the Hiiumaa Museum, who made our stay on the island a truly enjoyable one! A huge thanks go to all the performers from near and far and to our incredible Estonian archives abroad working group, whose ideas and combined energy fuel BaltHerNet’s events. Of course, we also thank the Estonian government for their financial support, which is distributed to us through the Ministry of Education and Research and the National Archives of Estonia. What do the new season and future hold? More work and activities, of course, but new challenges as well. How will memory institutions deal with the energy and economic crisis? How will the brave Ukrainian fighters endure? We have to hope for the best and do all that we can so that the best outcomes can be realized. Best wishes to everyone for the start of the new academic year! Piret Noorhani

Read more July 20, 2022

BaltHerNet’s 10th Summer School “The Sea and Islands” in Hiiumaa

Baltic Heritage Network has had a long-term partnership with the Estonian Literary Museum in gathering material for Estonian diaspora archives, maintaining and organizing them, and doing further contributive research. The idea to create BaltHerNet began to form in 2005 in Piret Noorhani’s office, who was the director of the Estonian Cultural History Archives at that time. Currently, she is the director and chief archivist at the Estonian Museum Canada/VEMU in Toronto and still continues to be the leader of and driving force behind the network.

Read more July 15, 2022

A Visit by Lithuanian Writers from Around the World

On June 30, a group of writers, translators and literary critics from dozens of countries around the world visited the National Library of Lithuania for the Second Lithuanian World Writers’ Congress. It was a return visit— in 2019, the participants of the first congress were also the Library’s guests.

Read more July 5, 2022

Summer Arrives Differently This Year

The war instigated by Russia targeting Ukraine has already lasted over three months. Whereas towards the beginning there was a seemingly strong and united reaction to the war amongst the international community (with some expected exceptions), some differing opinions have now emerged. How and for what length of time will the desire and bravery of leaders of Western countries to help support Ukraine in their fight for freedom last? Politicians and diplomats from the Baltic countries have done a tremendous job of this on the international front, and the Baltic countries and peoples have supported Ukraine with great vigour. But how long will our voices be heard? We have to hope for the best and wish for our leaders to continue to be smart and strong. And of course, we all have to take on small or any tasks that benefit Ukraine and keep up our support, we can’t let ourselves tire in this fight!

Read more July 4, 2022