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EESTI ELU reedel, 7. veebruaril 2020 — Friday, February 7, 2020
Nr. 5
An Introduction to Estonian Literature (II) Interview with Hilary Bird by Doris Kareva Choices of individual works were made within the historical frame. I kept some of Loone’s original choices. I used Estonian language anthologies of literature such as Paul-Eerik Rummo’s “Eesti Luule” and the Arbujad and Wellesto collections, as sources of “classic” texts. The Soviet era “Estonian Literature” by Endel Nirk is a solid (if dated) Englishlanguage historical commentary that helped a lot with context. The English-language “Estonian Literary Magazine” from Estonia and “World Literature Today,” the University of Oklahoma’s magazine of international literature and culture, were useful for informed opinion. Some selections are entirely my own. The inclusion of anonymous folk oral works originates from my UK background – there is no distinction in comprehensive English-language historical anthologies between oral and written “literature.” Oral folklore, moreover, is still a very impor tant element of Estonian culture. Jakob Hurt’s Helme speech is not strictly “literature” but it is so central to the important main-stream Estonian idea of being “great in spirit” that I felt it had to be included. No anthology can omit “The
Werewolf.” I also selected works by poets who do not represent a “high” literary tradition – Johnny B and Merca, for example – but who were popular and articulated ideas that were widespread. Q. Where did you pick up all the information about Tartu? It is quite amazing, actually. I understand that you have not been a profes sional guide, even if some lucky people have heard your stories. Is your “Tartu, Five Walks into History,” for example, used officially? A. The information about Tartu came from many different sources! My interest started with stones. I was intrigued by the stones that lay scattered around the town that mark sites of historic interest. Some of these sites such as the Polish Jesuit Seminary and the Jakobi Gate, both in Jakobi St are hard to find. I received some strange looks when peering in the grass but the stones were signposts. It soon became clear to me that the site of Tartu had been occupied for a very long time. Malle Salupere’s 2003 book (Millenary Tartu) was the only English language guidebook available to me. It’s a good general history but does not cater to the needs of a non-Estonian reader. Its unusual for English speakers to have much knowledge of Estonian history.
Buddhist Against Empire (V) Marju Broder, Independent Researcher; Organizing Chair for International Conferences Buddhism & Australia, Perth Australia (Unaltered text, as submitted) L. In Exile After arriving in Stockholm, Vaartnou was constantly called by the Free Europe radio editor Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who congratulated Vaartnou and said that he broke the back of Russian bear. The question arises, was T.H. Ilves already then thinking about the presidential chair of Estonia when he interviewed Vello Vaartnou about the Proposal for ENIP and free Estonia? In March 1988, Marju Lauristin, future leader of the Popular Front of Estonia for the Support of Perestroika, came to see Vaartnou in Sweden and talk about the future of Estonia. As the communists did not know what was going to happen, they were afraid of direct national repressions that the ERSP could have adopted against them. But Vaartnou refused to talk about the matter Quiet responsible gentleman (56, non-smoker, non-drinker) seeks room to rent (shared kitchen OK). References available. Please contact: Fatai, tel 437-225-2306 (evenings)
because he was not interested in gaining power, and because Lauristin was, and is a communist. Several people attended the meeting, including Arvi Orula who is now living in Australia. After this meeting in Stock holm, Popular Front was established in late April1988. Vaartnou: “As strange as it is, besides the ENIP proposal, there was no group in Estonia that would have been able to come up with the idea of Estonian independence. I called almost every day from Stockholm to Eve Par naste and urged to form party immediately. Unfortunately they gave initiative to communists who had old connections, state finances in their hand and party was made only 6 months later. Now, if you look how they handle history in the media and the books, I am struck by how the Estonian people love stupid communists. I feel embarrassed for the Estonians. I did the party and after that they jumped into my boat and started proudly to row.” M. ENIP congress in 1989 Vaartnou: “I was invited to speak at the congress. I came at the right time, took a seat and when the congress began, the
They seldom know, for example, that there were Northern Crusades, that Estonia was ever part of a Swedish Empire, that there were people living here for centuries who still con sidered themselves German, who Lydia Koidula was or why the language of tuition in secondary schools and higher education only became Estonian in the early 20th century. All this (and much more) needs explaining in order for our history to be taken in context and properly understood. At the time I was writing there was a list of cultural monuments on the Internet that was a mine of information. Other sources of information were museums (the Liiv, Alver, Luts, Kreutzwald Museums, the Tartu Town Museum, the Laulu pidu Museum), websites (mostly Estonian, English, German, Latvian and Russian) and oral history told to me by friends. Sometimes information came through sheer chance. I found the fascinating story of the Protassova sisters (the muses for important Russian poets) in Tartu after reading Jaan Kross’ “The Tzar’s Madman” and looking up Russian Wiki. And what a story that is! I don’t think there is an “official” guidebook for Tartu. As for my being a guide, I am, alas, very deaf and only give guided tours to friends who un-
derstand my problem and will tell me when I am shouting and disturbing the peace. I would like to mention that the book contains useful information for Estonians from the diaspora seeking their families. I searched for my family for 20 years. It’s a difficult task and searchers need all the help they can get. Q. I love the cover of the literature book. Was the choice of lines yours or by Innar, the artist? A. I intended to use Wiiralt’s “Viljandi maastik” (Viljandi landscape) but the copyright
issue was tiresome and I asked my graphic designer cousin, Innar Jüriska, to design a copyright-free cover. The design is 100% Innar but I chose the lines in the word tree. Innar has included a charming word play on my name – see the little white bird chirping away in the tree. You are not the only one who admires the cover ! Indiana University loved it too and my London publisher of “Xeno phobes” comments “Please congratulate Innar on a truly inspired tree of authors. Every one here thinks it’s brilliant.”
doors were opened where Christians marched with flags. I thought then – what the counterfeiting of history by ENIP. I imagined that Buddhists should march in through the door. The Buddhists were the ones who made party and program, printed the leaflets and distributed in Estonia. Two Buddhists and one non-Christian traveled to Mos cow for a press conference announcing independence for Esto nia. I didn’t see any Christians there. It was a falsification of history. I got up and went out of the hall. I realized that the project and the implementation of one beautiful idea were turned by dissidents and Estonians together with Christians into a canvas. That ended my political activity in Estonia. There is no word about the Buddhist part in the ENIP history book of 700 pages written by Pärnaste, and thus Pärnaste has contributed to the falsification of Estonian his tory.” N. How Vaartnou was wel comed to Estonia in 2007 In 2007, Vello Vaartnou went to Estonia with intention to build the 5th stupa into Estonia. On the 20th August 2007, Vaartnou was discussing at his Veltsa country house with volunteers how to build a stupa when about 20-30 masked policemen suddenly jumped out from the bush and attacked them violently. All people were hit to the
ground face down, including Vaartnou who was hit back with the gun by the policeman. The police said they are looking for weapons. They started to search for weapons and searched the house which had stood empty 20 years and didn’t have doors and windows any more, and garden four hours – but nothing. Then 70 gr hemp was so to say “found” instead of weapons. All men were arrested and taken to the jail. I (Marju Broder) drove to Swedish Em bassy in Tallinn and explained what had happened, and said that I am extremely worried about Vaartnou’s life. In the morning Vaartnou was released with the help of the embassy but the police continued search Veltsa with metal detectors also next day. What is somehow interesting that this happened on the 20h August, the anniversary of the establishment of the Estonian National Independence Party 19 years ago (20.08.1988). Such way Estonia welcomed Vello Vaartnou, the author of ENIP, as there are still communists at power, and the KAPO (Estonian secret service) has incorporated over 30 ex-KGB workers. This fact is officially acknowledged with the explanation that these agents are experts in their field. O. Busy with Buddhism as always After deportation Vaartnou studied in Tribhuvan university and Bhutanese monastery many
years. Later he spent 8 years in solitary retreat and became active again in 2005. Vaartnou built the 5th stupa, temple and prayer wheels into Estonia and created the first online Buddhist Encyclopedia in Estonian language. Today he is the author of the two annual international Budd hist conferences which work already 14 years, and is the author of an online Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia which is considered one the biggest online sources on Buddhism. He is the first person to create Buddhist thangkas, temples and mandalas in 3D graphics. He has also had art exhibitions all over the world and his famous thangkas have found their way to Thai Royal Family, Stock holm Ethnographic Museum and many private collections. (to be continued)
(To be continued)
Tartu reusable… (Continued from page 8)
such as music festivals, people were already familiar with the idea, and that made it easier for us to implement the new system.” He also said that the system could be expanded to include more bars in the future. Recently it was announced that single-use plastic cutlery, plates and cups will be banned at outdoor events in Tallinn.
