Elin Toona Gottschalk
We now have a goodly amount of English language memoirs written by Estonians and Balts, about events that took place during the Second World War and during the Cold War, from the long journey into exile in 1944 until Estonia regained its independence in 1991.
Every memoir is interesting and important in the mosaic that brings it all together into what we call history. Alas, however, it is a well known fact that history is always written on a slant, tilted towards the victors and what actually remains depends on whose account prevails. It is a large picture but with few details about the true goings-on, the personal and embarrassing truths that would mar the victory parades if they were widely known.
In the case of the Second World War, there is an entire industry busily falsifying the consequences of Communism. Rather than accept the eradication and murder of 100 million victims, it is easier to focus condemnation elsewhere. This tweak in verity explains why the tiny Baltic States, nothing more than a short-cut between two superpowers, are being shunted to the sidelines, not because they did anything wrong but because they are first-hand witnesses to an historic crime that the West is still forced to drag along and justify to future mankind. Such is the fate of all small nations who have tried to hold back the hordes of conquerers who laud themselves as "liberators" and liberate everyone not only of their countries, their possessions and their lives but also of their reputation as hard-working, honest citizens of the civilized world. And such is the fate of the Baltic States and Estonia right now. (Loe rohkem Eesti Elu 24. mai paberlehestSPEAKING OF MEMOIRS)
"Into Exile: A Life Story of War and Peace"
Elin Toona Gottschalk
We now have a goodly amount of English language memoirs written by Estonians and Balts, about events that took place during the Second World War and during the Cold War, from the long journey into exile in 1944 until Estonia regained its independence in 1991.
Every memoir is interesting and important in the mosaic that brings it all together into what we call history. Alas, however, it is a well known fact that history is always written on a slant, tilted towards the victors and what actually remains depends on whose account prevails. It is a large picture but with few details about the true goings-on, the personal and embarrassing truths that would mar the victory parades if they were widely known.
In the case of the Second World War, there is an entire industry busily falsifying the consequences of Communism. Rather than accept the eradication and murder of 100 million victims, it is easier to focus condemnation elsewhere. This tweak in verity explains why the tiny Baltic States, nothing more than a short-cut between two superpowers, are being shunted to the sidelines, not because they did anything wrong but because they are first-hand witnesses to an historic crime that the West is still forced to drag along and justify to future mankind. Such is the fate of all small nations who have tried to hold back the hordes of conquerers who laud themselves as "liberators" and liberate everyone not only of their countries, their possessions and their lives but also of their reputation as hard-working, honest citizens of the civilized world. And such is the fate of the Baltic States and Estonia right now. (Loe rohkem Eesti Elu 24. mai paberlehest)
