On July 23rd, the long-term cooperation between VEMU and the Estonian Literary Museum was officially documented in a collaborative agreement In Tartu. The goal of the agreement is to increase the effectiveness of and diversity of preservation, collection, research, accessibility, and publicize the cultural heritage of Estonians in the homeland and abroad.
According to Piret Voolaid, director of the Estonian Literary Museum, the teamwork between the two institutions has already been multi-faceted and substantial: “As a science and memory institution, the Literary Museum has had good experiences documenting and analyzing diaspora communities. We have common projects with VEMU in the realms of history and cultural history, folkloristics, ethnology, anthropology and among other fields of study related to humanitarian and social sciences. Together, we have organized large-scale memoir collection campaigns and recently conducted a school lore competition for Estonians in Canada. The Literary Museum’s archives feature some of the largest diaspora Estonian themed collections, which create an advantageous basis for joint research and exhibition projects and for composition of publications.”
VEMU’s chief archivist Piret Noorhani adds: “As a former employee of the Literary Museum and the Estonian National Museum, I see how VEMU, with the largest Estonian-themed collections outside of Estonia, is a smaller copy of the two aforementioned institutions – especially keeping in mind collection work and diaspora Estonian collections. Cooperation with the Literary Museum has therefore progressed very naturally and is essential to us especially now, when we’re preparing the permanent exhibit that will be in VEMU’s new building. We are thankful to the Literary Museum for displaying our exhibits. This year, you can see the following at the Literary Museum: “Our Tartu: 50 Years of Tartu College,” which tells
the story of VEMU’s current home. But there is even more potential for collaboration. VEMU can share experiences regarding working with volunteers for example, the Literary Museum can share information about joint ventures with schools.”
One of the most important goals of the agreement is to build bridges between diaspora Estonia and the homeland – to tie various diaspora Estonian generations with the Estonian cultural space and to bring
the diaspora Estonian experience closer to Estonia. Considering the current international political context, the historical and cultural experience of our diaspora has taken on a new meaning and importance within society.