Anyone who insists that they’re immune to the opinion of others has a false sense of bravura or is likely deluding oneself. We’re probably all sensitive to what others think of us. It’s interesting to look at three separate observations on Estonia and Estonians over the last 100 years, all on different themes.
The first was published in the Encylopaedia Brittanica in 1913, before Estonia won its independence. “As a race Estonians exhibit manifest evidence of their Ural-Altaic or Mongolic descent in their short stature, absence of beard, oblique eyes, broad face, low forehead, and small mouth, In addition to that they are an undersized, ill thriven people with long arms and thin short legs”. So what has changed since 1913 during the last 100 years? It’s obvious. Our legs have grown longer!
On a much more serious note, a diplomat of a western country in dispatches back to his foreign ministry headquarters wrote during the politically tense years just before World War II: “I do not feel that the independence of Estonia or the other Baltic states is a European necessity”. That opinion was passed on some 70 years ago at a moment when Estonia was desperately seeking to stay neutral, independent and avoid war. No western country at the time saw any necessity in supporting the continued neutrality and sovereignty of Estonia and its Baltic neighbours.
Just recently a well-respected periodical published the following: “Estonia is small but feisty and resilient. From a European perspective its national debt ratio is negligible. Compared to the massive economies within the EU, Estonia is positioned to recover faster from the current economic crisis. The government austerity program has not elicited any major dissatisfaction from the public, private sectors or any specific interest groups. This displays incredible foresight and self-discipline.”
Recently on TV Stephen Colbert in his “Colbert Report” program said “Happy birthday to Estonia, a tiny country with a good PR department”. Estonians might rather have wanted to hear “with a good track record” than “with a good PR department”. Colbert’s humour often must be taken with a grain of salt. A wise PR veteran said that if you strip away the façade of a PR effort you get the hidden façade underneath. In the same vein an old Estonian proverb says that a word of praise is no substitute for a piece of herring or a bag of oats.
These days it doesn’t take much to find someone praising Estonia in the media, be it about IT, technological innovation, press freedom, political stability or coping with economic stagnation. I refer to the media in the western world. Perceptions have changed radically during 100 years. We’re happy to bask in the glow of a friendly press. Once in a while it boosts the ego to indulge in self-congratulation.
In contrast, the predictable bad review originates only from one source. However we know that propaganda, especially ill-prepared propaganda, is that branch of lying that often deceives one’s friends with ever deceiving your enemies. Estonians know how to cope with that.
Estonia as target of opinions over the last 100 years (3)
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The snippets Laas Leivat finds about Estonians from history reflect quite accurately the perceptions about us over time, bu I must take issue with his own observation: "In contrast, the predictable bad review originates only from one source." The remark that "bad review originates only from one source (we know, of course, what he refers to) is itself propagandist and casts dispersions on those Estonians who are genuinely concerned about the developmental direction of Estonia and who offer constructive criticism.
With all due respect, and Laas Leivat deserves respect, I would say that about quarter or more of the content that reaches the West and the rest of the world about Estonia (and Latvia) is Russian disinformation stuff couched in the trope or "plot device" of: "Balts - the nasty little unrepentant (supposedly) Waffen SS states on the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea." This is obviously not what the Edmonton Journal or the Times Picayune is writing about Estonia, but it does crop up all too often on Russia Today, and other sites where the hand of the Russian intelligence and propaganda services is less obvious to the casual reader. Unfortunately, Google News and random searches produce all too many of these "unrepentant Nazi cultures in the Baltic region" items that are designed primarily to sow confusion in the minds of media users in various distant corners of the world. If you tell a lie audaciously enough and often enough, people will begin to think "where there's smoke, there's fire". This "tune", repeated over and over again by the Russian propaganda apparat, is essentially a security threat to our countries. If an American or a Canadian has doubt planted in his or her head about the "niceness" of Estonia or Latvia, this weakens the nature of our NATO alliance and feelings of reciprocal respect and sympathy. If you don't have a copy of "Nazi/Soviet Disinformation about the Holocaust in Latvia: Daugavas Vanagi: Who are they?" by Ezergailis, I suggest you get a copy. It should open the eyes of many people about warmed up old (false) Nazi propaganda messages about Latvia and the other Baltic States that the Kremlin gladly perpetuates to this day. "Mõnuga", or disseminates with pleasure, as the Estonian saying goes.
it's generally held that any press is good press, and considering the profound tininess and obscurity of estonia, the fact that she gets mentioned so often in the press and in the media, particularly by the venerable economist, is a very good and positive thing. if estonia wants to be taken more seriously, then do more serious things. otherwise, be glad that colbert wished you a happy birthday. p.s. i love estonia and wish her only well.
Arvamus
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