Historical connections

Compared with their homeland, Estonia has always been a rather more liberal place for Russians to live in. As early as in the 17th century, the Russian Old Believers, persecuted by church and state, sought refuge here. From that time onwards, the Russians have inhabited the coastal areas of Lake Peipsi where they have retained their native culture and influenced the Setu culture in southeastern Estonia.

The Estonian connection with Russian culture stretches back to ancient times. Linguists, for example, have shown the influence of the Russian language on Estonian: the Estonian word ‘raamat’ (‘book’), for example, comes from Russian ‘gramota’ (meaning ‘literacy’); Estonian ‘jaam’ (‘station’) from the Russian ‘jam’ (no longer in use today) that signified the postal stations where travellers changed horses, etc.

Russian culture in Estonia has been extremely diverse throughout the ages and has always had a significant place in Russia’s own cultural history. Numerous prominent Russian scientists, officers and cultural figures, such as the Narva-born theoretician of Russian language and culture, Aleksei Shamatov (1864–1920) or the artist Vladimir Gau (1816–1895). Outstanding Russians, e.g. the scientist-surgeon Nikolai Pirogov (1810–1881), natural scientist and academic Alexander Middendorf (1815–1894), military engineer and general Abram Hannibal (1696–1781, great-grandfather of the world famous poet Aleksander Puskhin), Russian and Polish linguist Jan Baudoin de Courtenay (1845–1929) and many others worked in Estonia. Composers (Pyotr Tchaikovski), musicians (Igor Oistrahh), ballet dancers (Anna Pavlova), artists (Vassili Kandinsky), poets (Vassili Zhukovski) and prose writers (Nikolai Leskov) have held lectures and concerts here.

Another great name is connected with Tallinn. Between 1830 and 1840, Mikhail Dostoyevsky lived in Uus Street in the old part of Tallinn, being employed at the Reval Engineer Commando. His brother, the superb Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky, frequently visited Tallinn at that time.

One of the most beautiful Tallinn building complexes, the Kadriorg Palace, was commissioned by the Russian Tsar Peter the Great. The Tsar dedicated Kadriorg (Catherine’s Valley) to his wife Catherine I. Construction of the building started in the summer of 1718, initially supervised by the Italian architect Niccoló Michetti who also produced the design. He was later replaced by M. Zemtsov from Moscow. Peter himself visited Tallinn in 1721 and 1723, staying in one of the palace wings. The building, however, was not completed until 11 years after the Tsar’s death.

The ties between Estonia and Russia have never been merely one-way. Estonians have actively participated in Russian culture. Many Estonian artists studied in St Petersburg: sculptor Amandus Adamson (1855–1929; creator of the ‘Russalka’ memorial and Lydia Koidula’s monument), Johann Köler (1826-1899), painter and academician of St Petersburg Art Academy, painter Ants Laikmaa (1866–1942). Various Estonians studied music at St Petersburg Conservatory: composers, organists, music teachers. Mention should be made of Mart Saar (1882–1963) and Peeter Süda (1883–1920), composer Heino Eller (1887–1970), conductor Neeme Järvi (1938). The Estonian film directors who studied at the Russian Cinematography Institute or theatre schools include Arvo Iho (1951), Kalju Kiisk (1926), Grigori Kromanov (1928–1984), Valentin Kuik (1945), Leida Laius (1923–1996), etc.

Estonian singers were very popular in Russia, especially during the Soviet period. Georg Ots (1920–1975) was the clear favourite. Representatives of the younger generation were popular too, such as the ensemble ‘Laine’, Jaak Joala (1950) and Anne Veski (1959). The Russians knew the chess player Paul Keres (1916–1975), actor Jüri Järvet (1919–1995), they read Jaan Kross’s historical novel “The Tsar’s Madman” and Mati Unt’s story “Good-bye, Yellow Cat!”, Juhan Smuul’s “Book of Ice” (awarded the Lenin prize), and Eno Raud’s books for children, “Sipsik” and “Three Jolly Fellows”. Huge audiences watched Urmas Ott’s chat shows, marvelling at his bold questions, quite unheard of on Russian television.

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