Hi, *****,
thanks for your warm words and your supporting shoulder
. I was truly surprised (in the negative way) that these riots took place. I think that’s because we are not used to such things - I can see from the news that there are riots abroad very often, but we haven’t had such things here. Even in 1988-90 when the Soviet-minded people were quite strong, there were their protest demonstrations, but never violence, broking the windows and robbing. And another very confusing trait of these riots is that majority of them are born and raised in independent Estonia, they are not so-called “Soviet people”; much of them are under-aged and go to school. It’s clear they’re manipulated, but still - it’s kind of monstrous.
And of course I’m concerned that it is from now on much more complicated to talk about smooth relations between Estonians and Russians. Of course, much Russians also condemn the riots, simply because it’s a crime to rob the magazines, and also because the concern that maybe it casts a bad shadow to these Russians that are not hostile. At least couple of my friends that are Russians, are also amazed and think it’s very bad, it shouldn’t happen.
Do you know what’s it all about?
There is (actually was) a monument in the centre of Tallinn, so-called “Bronze Soldier”. It was raised in 1950’s for commemorating Soviet soldiers, and it was the main object in Tallinn in Soviet times where all important ideological eevents took place (there was also the “eternal flame”). In the end of war, in 1944 and 45 there were buried some Soviet soldiers (as it is now suspected, some of them were shot dead in attempts of maraudery in 1944 - if it was so, then the riots would be the “correct” way to commemorate them - but it is not sure). When independence came, most of red monuments (Lenins etc) were taken down, but the Soldier was not. The text on the monument was changed (now it mentioned neutrally all that had fallen in the 2nd WW). And the Russians went there, mainly in May 9th - the Soviet Victory Day (in Europe it is celebrated also on the 8th, right?) to commemorate the victory over Germany. But it was in some reason disturbing some Estonians that felt that the monument insults their feelings - because for Estonia the Soviet soldier was not only the winner of Nazism, but also introducer of new oppressing regime. So it went and went, there were different opinioms, but nothing actually happened for 15 years, although the Russians carried there sometimes Soviet flags etc.
But last year an Estonian young nationalist skinhead (!) decided to go there in May 9th with our flag, blue-black-white. For some reason it provoked the Russians and they tore his flag down, in a word, insulted Estonian flag. And that’s when Estonian government started to think that this is too much and the monument must be removed. Unfortunately the issue was used in our election campaign, so it became even more sharp. And now the government decided to act, much of young Russians came to protest against it, the police pushed them away from monument so that the deconstruction works could begin, and drunk and angry masses boiled over and became violent - broke windows, robbed the magazines, pushed the cars over etc. And of course they’re encouraged by the attitude of Russia - because their main information comes from Russian TV-channels.
In any case, the monument and the bodies buried there will be removed to a military graveyard in Tallinn, and the monument will be reopened in May 8th - as was the initial plan.
I think that our government could deal not with the symbols but the real provokers both from Russian and Estonian side - unfortunately they didn’t; so partly our government is to blame, but mainly of course the propaganda of Russia and local Russian extremists. But in general, I think that the riots give evidence of failure of Estonian social and integration politics during the independence.
There have been some incidents also in other towns, mainly in Jôhvi and Narva that are populated by Russian majority. In Tartu, fortunately, only one small conflict was yesterday night, but no bigger things.
I think this not over until the May 9th comes; but police is also in the highest readiness, so maybe the worse is over. Btw, there is a total ban of alcohol sales in Estonia until May 3rd, and probably it will be again before the 9th - all the rioteers were drunk. So much about drinking in Estonia, our previous issue ;-) So the Walpurgisnacht will be dry.
I’m not frightened, that is not that. Rather, I’m worried - I thought I live in a more peaceful country. Some illusions crushed so suddenly. Of course, I’ll not lose my Russian friends, because we feel the same way; but I know now that there is a group of Russians that are completely alien.
