Public lecture - Estonia: Identity Narratives in the post-Soviet Era (the 1990s)

Understanding Europe's East is a 7-lecture Series on underexplored regions of Europe, in which invited international experts talk about the history, culture & politics of Bulgaria, Kosovo, Romania, Moldova, Transnistria, Hungary & the Baltic Sea Region. About his lecture on Estonian identity, Dr. Heiko Pääbo writes: "In 1991, Estonia emerged from 50 years of Soviet occupation to restore its independence, marking the commencement of a significant transition for the nation. This restored Estonian state, now with an altered ethnic composition due to decades of Soviet policies, faced a turbulent period characterised by a triple transformation: political, economic, and social. The political transformation involved establishing a democratic government and institutions that reflected Estonia's pre-Soviet independence and European aspirations. Economically, Estonia transitioned from a centrally planned economy to a market-based system, fostering rapid growth and integration with global markets. Socially, the nation grappled with redefining national identity and integrating a diverse population that included a significant number of Russian-speaking residents, a legacy of Soviet-era migration policies. "In my forthcoming talk, I will delve into the identity discourses that unfolded in Post-Soviet Estonia during the tumultuous 1990s. This period in Estonian history is emblematic of the broader post-Soviet experience, characterised by the challenges of decolonisation and nation-building. On one side of this discourse were the Estonians, who were keen to re-establish the continuity of their statehood that had been interrupted by Soviet occupation. On the other side were the communities that had migrated to Estonia during the Soviet era, who found themselves navigating a new political landscape that often felt alien. The identity discourses of the 1990s reveal significant differences rooted in the experiences of these two groups during the Soviet era, yet there are notable overlaps in their narratives, reflecting a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and political factors. "The audience of my talk will gain insights into the social and identity discourses that characterised this turbulent period in Estonian history. Understanding these discourses is crucial for comprehending the aspirations and concerns of Estonia in the contemporary world. The journey Estonia undertook in the 1990s—navigating the challenges of re-establishing a national identity, integrating a diverse population, and building a democratic society—offers valuable lessons and reflections for other nations undergoing similar transformations. This exploration will not only shed light on Estonia's past but also provide a deeper understanding of its present and future trajectory in the global context." Dr Heiko Pääbo lectures in the Politics of Baltic Sea Region Countries at the Unversity of Tartu, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, where he is Programme Director for Central and Eastern European, Russian and  Eurasian Studies. His publications range from international relations  theory, Conor Daly of the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies, Trinity College Dublin says this about the series: “In this lecture series – through the lens of a less familiar geography (the broader ‘Balkans’, the ‘Baltic Sea Region’) – we explore some of the most important and vital themes in contemporary European culture, history and politics today: the legacy left by the 20th Century Communist experiment on our continent; the shadow left by the Iron Curtain (as well as attempts by some authoritarian leaders to recreate its mirror image today); the phenomenon of the ‘frozen conflict’ (Transnistria); the dilemmas inherent in forging ‘national identity’ and our perceptions of ‘the other’ in a multicultural context; issues of mass migration; the fate of Europe’s minorities; the intersection of secularity and religious culture (Christianity, Judaism, Islam). "We are fortunate to have visiting speakers from Chisinau (Moldova) and Tartu (Estonia) – as well as our own ‘local’ experts on Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Kosovo - most of whom were born and grew up in the countries they will be speaking about. In the context of today’s wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the EU’s re-engagement with the Enlargement process, this is a unique opportunity to understand how Europe’s stakeholders on our easternmost fringe perceive their past as well as their hopes and expectations for the future.”