Theatrical Otherness: Dissecting Identity Politics in Estonian Political Dramaturgy

• In Event: Developments in Baltic Theater

Abstract

In the context of rising right-wing populism and globalization, identity-based othering has surged over the past decade, including in the Baltic region. This underscores the need for interdisciplinary research on how the Soviet occupation has shaped the identity of its former republics and influenced their art as carriers of national and historical memory.

Johanna Rannik’s BA thesis delves into 21st-century Estonian identity politics, examining its impact on political dramaturgy related to nationality, ethnicity, and gender. The study employs a synthesis of political theory, theatre theory, and qualitative analysis, combining both inductive and deductive approaches. The interdisciplinary nature of the work merges social studies and humanities. Focused on "GEP or Hot Estonian Guys" (2007, prod. Tiit Ojasoo, Theatre NO99) and "gender: W" (2015, dramaturge Maria Lee Liivak, prod. Priit Võigemast and Henrik Kalmet, Vaba Lava), the analysis reveals that a sense of inferiority and romanticization of the past create blind spots towards societal minorities.

The attempt to (re-)construct a true nation-state and concerns over a declining population led to a return to national symbols, as seen in GEP's intense and unethical procreation plan and in "gender: W's" commentary on gender stratification. Both works highlight that nationalistic fanaticism and the increase of societal othering exacerbate systemic inequality rather than resolving it. Economic and social insecurity, coupled with disproportionate responsibility, contribute to vulnerable groups in Estonia feeling inferior and trapped, emphasizing that addressing systemic issues requires a nuanced approach beyond symbolic gestures.

Short Bio

Johanna Rannik is a Master’s student of Theatre Studies at the University of Tartu. In 2023, she graduated University of Tartu with a Bachelor’s degree in political science. This sparked her interest in interdisciplinary research on identity politics and how it manifests in the arts, specifically theatre. She is a member of the Estonian Theatre Union and The Association of Estonian Theatre Researchers and Critics (ETUKÜ) and is a member of the jury for the 2024 Annual Awards of Estonian Theatre. During her multiple internships at the Estonian Ministry of Culture, she has worked in the fields of both cultural integration and theatre and wants to apply her experiences to academia going forward. Aside from her studies, Rannik is a freelance cultural journalist, having published essays and critique (using her background in social sciences to analyse both societal issues and the arts) in a variety of cultural journals and newspapers. As a recognition of this, she has represented Värske Rõhk (Estonia’s biggest literature journal for young writers) as a member of the jury for the 2023 Ants Oras Literary Critique Award.

Author

• Johanna Rannik, University of Tartu