Tartu Peace Treaty (Estonian: Tartu rahu, literally "Tartu peace") or Treaty of Tartu was a peace treaty between Estonia and Russian SFSR signed in 2 February 1920, ending the Estonian War of Independence. The terms of the treaty stated that "Russia unreservedly recognizes" the independence of Republic of Estonia de jure and renounced in perpetuity all rights to the territory of Estonia.
The treaty established the border between Estonia and Russia, affirmed the right of Estonian people to return to Estonia and Russian people to return to Russia and required that Estonian movable property evacuated to Russia in the World War I be returned to Estonia. Russia also agreed to absolve all debt from Tsarist times and to pay Estonia 15 million gold rubles, a proportional share from gold reserves of former Russian Empire. Additionally Russia agreed to grant concessions to exploit one million hectares of Russian forest land and to build a railway line from the Estonian border to Moscow. In return, Estonia undertook to allow the RSFSR to build a free port at Tallinn or some other harbour and to erect a power station on the Narva River.
The treaty was signed by Jaan Poska on Estonian side and Adolf Joffe for the Soviet Russia as well as by other representatives of both parties.
The Tartu Peace Treaty has been regarded as the birth certificate of the Republic of Estonia because it was the very first de jure recognition of the state. The treaty was also of utmost importance to the diplomatically isolated Soviet Russia, with Lenin expressing satisfaction with the treaty as "an incomparable victory over Western imperialism". Some members of the Entente opposed the treaty with the intention to keep Soviet Russia in international isolation.
After signing, Soviet Russia failed to fulfill several points of the treaty, e.g. the museological collections of the University of Tartu have not been returned to this day from Voronezh and the migration of Estonians was obstructed.
The treaty was the first international treaty to be signed for The Republic of Estonia and for The Russian SFSR. Russian SFSR became the first state to acknowledge the independece of The Republic of Estonia and Estonia became the first to acknowledge the Russian SFSR. The Tartu Peace Treaty made way for both states into the international politics and thus became an international event.
The Tartu Peace Treaty is the biggest achievent for the beginning of Estonian diplomacy and one of the bases of the Republic of Estonia.
(From Wikipedia)
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Chronology of year 1939

07.06. 1939- Estonian and Latvian foreign affairs ministers sign a nonaggression pact with Germany.

23.08. 1939- The Soviet Union and Germany sign a nonaggression pact known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that contained secret protocols dividing the “spheres of influence”.

25.09. 1939- The Soviet Union started reconaissance flights over Estonia to find out whether Estonia is mobilizing.

28.09. 1939- The Republic of Estonia ja The Soviet Union sign a so called agreement of bases.

06.10. 1939- Adolf Hitler holds a speech asking Germans living in the “Soviet influence spheres”— Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania— to return to Fatherland.

11.10. 1939- The Soviet fleet arrives in Tallinn.

12.10. 1939- The last government— withJüri Uluots as the Prime Minister— of the Republic of Estonia prior to the occupation is formed.

18.10. 1939- The first Baltic-German resettlers leave Tallinn- The Umsiedlung begins.
The Soviet Army troops enter the Estonian territory.
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Human Chain– Linking Three Nations in Their Drive for Freedom


On 23 August 1939 foreign ministers of the USSR and Germany - Vyacheslav Molotov and Joachim von Ribbentrop, as ordered by their superiors Stalin and Hitler, signed a treaty which affected the fate of Europe and the entire world. This pact, and the secret clauses it contained, divided the spheres of influence of the USSR and Germany and led to World War II, and to the occupation of the three Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.


50 years later, on 23 August 1989, the three nations living by the Baltic Sea surprised the world by taking hold of each other's hands and jointly demanding recognition of the secret clauses in the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and the re-establishment of the independence of the Baltic States. More than a million people joined hands to create a 600 km long human chain from the foot of Toompea in Tallinn to the foot of the Gediminas Tower in Vilnius, crossing Riga and the River Daugava on its way, creating a synergy in the drive for freedom that united the three countries.The Baltic Way was organised by the national movements of each of the Baltic States: the Popular Front of Estonia Rahvarinne, the Popular Front of Latvia and the Lithuanian Reform Movement Sàjûdis.
The Baltic Way brought important changes to the history of the world. This was achieved through social unity and through the joint commitment and confidence manifested by every individual in pursuing the common goal. This impressive act of non-violent protest and solidarity whilst keeping sovereignty was a living example of the culture of peace, opening up access to information and leading to the acknowledgement of the secret treaty and its hideous consequences for the whole world. It increased the opportunity for the national self-determination of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and encouraged democratic movements throughout the Soviet Union. The three Baltic States succeeded in gaining their freedom in a peaceful way, creating a precedent that was, and hopefully will be, followed by a number of countries all over- the triumph of humanity over totalitarianism.
The Baltic Way was a phenomenon which showed how three small countries - the Baltic States, regardless of their unique individual national characteristics, created a cross-cultural spiritual synergy both internally and between the Baltic States in the name of a common goal - to overcome the consequences of World War II and to destroy the totalitarian regimes. The Baltic Way is a historic symbol that is alive in the collective memory, enriching the understanding of the sense and values of solidarity and freedom of expression.


Text: Estonian National Commission for UNESCO
www.balticway.net
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On 4th of February 2009 Andres Sööt- an Estonian film director, author of more than 70 documentaries- will celebrate his 75th anniversary having been born in the town of Paide in 1934.
He graduated from Moscow Institute of Cinematography as a cinematographer in 1963, he worked as an assistant to a cinematographer in Tallinn studio of cinema films in 1954-1957, 1963-1972 he worked for “Tallinnfilm” (cinema film studio of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic), 1972-1980 in “Estonian Telefilm” (television film studio of ESSR), in 1980-1984 he once again was a film director and cinematographer for “Tallinnfilm”.
He started his own studio “Monofilm” in 1993 but continued to cooperate with other film studios as well.
Andres Sööt was the chairman of Estonian Filmmakers’ Union in1999 to 2000.
Besides documentaries, which in itself are outstanding and the best of ones made in Estonia, he has also made a number of newsreels.
Andres Sööt was awarded with National Culture Fund’s prize for his achievements and his contribution to Estonian documentary filmmaking in 2004.
[Madli Zobel’s BA thesis “Biographies of the film directors Rein Maran and Andres Sööt” 2005 was used for compilation of this text]
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90 years ago- on 28th of November 1918 The Estonian War of Independence (1918-1920) begun with the Red Army onslaught on Narva.
We are bringing to you a brief overviewing photo display consentrating on four aspects that resulted in granting us the so valuable victory in the war.
The importance of The Estonian War of Independence and people having lost their lives in it can never be valued enough in establishing our sovereignity. The victory that granted our freedom did however not come easily…
As no start ever is, this was not an easy one either. But with help from outside and strength within our country we made it and ensured ourselves freedom and national independence for our young newly-born Republic of Estonia.
On the first five photos the two of many major factors that eased the difficult start can be seen- armoured trains and first capital ships of The Estonian Marine Corps.
The Father of the armoured trains- as he was called- Johan Pitka became the Rear Admiral of The Estonian Marine Corps later on.
Armoured trains granted military success straight on from the beginning and one could say these were one of the causes why the war resulted victoriously for Estonia.
The first battleship with Estonian national flag on it was a cannon ship “Bobr” taken over from the Germans. After it had been re-built it was given the name “Lembitu” after an ancient Estonian war hero.
When the Royal Squadron arrived Tallinn for military help, two russian mine cruisers were captured and turned over to Estonia. These were named “Lennuk” and “Vambola”.
The next five photos display foreign assistance- the arrival of British naval forces and help from Scandinavian states that were also influential in granting the victory. Estonia was not left alone in the war that had begun.
Thanks to the British fleet Estonia had total control over the sea.
The Finns and Danes on the other hand were of help on the land. The Finnish volunteer units under leadership of major Ekström was named The Regiment of Nordic Sons- Põhja Pojad.
The next five photos display the actions of war. The national battallions were achieving success as well, these were the following: The Kaleva Malev, partisan battallions of Sakala and Tartu and the cannon batteries.
The last six photographs depict moments of grandeur and rest. Even at times of war it is important to hold parades, celebrate birthdays and other occassions.
For each soldier the few moments of rest are of most importance whether it is done having a cigarette break in trenches or sleeping to keep the spirits up and minds clear.
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Collection EFA.446 Oskar Viikholm consists of 4186 photos from years 1939-1944. Oskar Viikholm (born 1903) worked as a photographer for the newspaper’s “Päevaleht” addition “Nädal Pildis” (“Week in Photos”).
On 1941 he also worked for the newspaper “Pilt ja Sõna” and on 1942 for “Eesti Sõna”. Some of his photos were also published in the newspaper “Rahva Hääl” (1940) and in the magazine “Eesti Pildileht” (1943-1944). Viikholm lived in Kunda and in Tallinn and served in The Estonian Legion since 1942. Open gallery >>

Through the history of the Olympic Games the small nation of the small country Estonia has been competing with dignity and often sensationally.
Hereby we present a little overview of Estonian athletes at the Olympic Games during the Estonian Republic (1918-1940) and occupied Estonian SSR (1940-1991) when all the glory was received by the USSR but the victories were Ours in our hearts.
During the years of the Estonian Republic 1918-1940 the most successful Estonian athletes were wrestlers.
Kristjan Palusalu is the only man in the world who has won the greco-roman and the freestyle wrestling (heavyweight) at the same Olympic Games which was achieved at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The 1980 Moscow Olympic Games were boycotted by number of countries, e.g. USA; China, Israel, West Germany etc., due to the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan.
The sailing events of the 1980 Summer Olympics were held in Tallinn, Pirita. The Tallinn Sailing Regatta was the very first time for the Olympics to be held in an occupied country.
The buildings built (hotel “Olümpia”, central post office, Pirita yachting centre etc.) for the event are giving accent to sight of Tallinn to present day.
The arrival of the olympic winners of the 1988 Seoul Olympics borught joy and more power to Estonia’s national movement for independence. Tõniste brothers (silver medallists in 470 class sailing), Erika Salumäe (track bicycle race) and Tiit Sokk (basketball) were not only olympic winners but they injected enthusiasm to our national self-determination and –consciousness.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have begun. The international sports event that has always been a kind of symbol of peace is once again being held in a country where human rights and small nations are being repressed.
The Republic of Estonia is represented with biggest delegation so far. Open gallery >>

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The present photo exhibition displays the monetary reform June 20 1992. Photos the Estonian Information Agency (ETA) collection. Open gallery >>

A small reminder of estonian mercantile life prior the monetary reform. Photos of Estonian Information Agency photo collection. Open gallery >>

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The first cinema- Palais Cinematographe- was founded by brothers Lumieres in Paris 1895.
Already in 1896 the first cinema shows took place in Estonia, Tallinn Stock Exchange building. The present photo exhibition introduces the cinemas in Estonia at different times. Open gallery >>

Estonian goldmedalists of the Olympic Games Open gallery >>

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J. Pääsuke and Estonian Film 90

Motion pictures started their course of victory from Paris in 1895.The first cinematographic shows took place in Tallinn next year already and the first film of estonian origin was shown at Tartu in 1912. Therefore estonian film has reached to reserved 90 milestone.
Estonian film pioneer was Johannes Pääsuke (1892-1918) who also was the author of the first estonian feature film “Bear-Hunt in Pärnu District” (1914) and established the first estonian film studio “Estonia-Film” at Tartu in 1913. Parallel with filmmaking Pääsuke was acknowledged photographer, who took shots from different places from Estonia according to the orders from Estonian National Museum, where the originals are kept. Filmarchive preserve only copies of few photos, but there are stored such films as “Views from the Võru District” (1912), “Historical Memories of the Past of Estonia”(1913), “Big Snowstorm in the Baltic in December, 1913” (1913), “Tartu – the Town and Outskirts” (1914), “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Tartu Voluntary Firemen Society” (1914), “Journey through the Setu District” (1914), “Bear-Hunt in Pärnu District” (1914).

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Photo exhibition “Great Figures of Estonia from the first half of the 20th Century” Open gallery >>