Reconsidering the Great Escape from Estonia in 1944

• In Event: Stories of Estonia's 1944 Exodus

Abstract

Another round anniversary of the escape of the Estonians is a good occasion to undertake a critical analysis of the current state and outcomes of the research of the Great Exodus in 1944, to highlight the limitations in the research and propose perspectives for further research, for which the archives and databases made available to researchers can offer excellent opportunities. In my presentation, I will place the "Great Escape" in the broader context of migration from Estonia during the World War II, point out the personal overlaps and similar features with other wartime emigrations, try to rethink who of the individuals emigrated could be regarded as resettlers, evacuees and refugees and ask whether the number of refugees widely accepted in Estonians society 75 to 80,000 individuals should still be carved in stone.

Short Bio

Olev Liivik, Historian, Doctor's Degree from University of Tartu. Currently the Senior Researcher of Estonian Institute of Historical Memory/Tallinn and Associate Professor of Archival Studies at the University of Tartu. Main research interests: migration history and ethnic minorities in the Baltic, communist repressions and governance

Author

• Olev Liivik, Estonian Institute of Historical Memory; University of Tartu