2002 – Tartu – De Svenska Historiedagarna

DE SVENSKA HISTORIEDAGARNA I TARTU 2002

THE SWEDISH–ESTONIAN HISTORY DAYS

De Svenska Historiedagarnas konferens i Tartu den 27–29 september 2002

Invigning samt alla seminarier ägde rum på Universitetet i Tartu, Ülikooli 18

As part of its ramble around Sweden, and later on around the Baltic region, the History Days programme now reached Estonia and the ancient centre of learning, Tartu. The Swedish-Finnish cooperation during the run-up to the history days in Turku and the corresponding Swedish-Norwegian ones in Karlstad and Gothenburg had shown not only the value of a wider ranging illumination of traditional historical issues, but also the role of an interest in history in building a bridge between neighbouring countries. The choice of Tartu was not difficult to comprehend.

We have a 150-year period of shared history with Estonia, and links have been close since prehistoric times. Tartu was founded in 1030 and during the 13th century, as Dorpat, it became an episcopal see under the authority of the Teutonic Order. As a Hanseatic town, there were close links with Russia, and during the Swedish era, Dorpat developed into a centre of learning with the setting up of Sweden’s third Court of Appeal there in 1630 and, above all, the establishment in 1632 by Gustavus II Adolphus of the university – Sweden’s second.

Estonia has a dramatic history. Tartu has been laid waste by war, and in 1775, by an extensive fire. Remnants of former days include, in particular, the old cathedral church, now reverently restored as a university museum. In the 19th century, the university gained a position of eminence amongst the seats of learning in the Russian Empire and to this day, the main building, with its Empire style façade, makes a classical contribution to the cityscape. This was where we would spend our time during the history days. In front of the building stands a statue of Gustavus II Adolphus, re-erected in 1992, whilst around the Cathedral Mount lie the university buildings in a secluded and fascinating milieu that brings to mind the centuries when the city was the heart of a cultural union between east and west.

The Swedish History Days aroused considerable interest in Estonia, and the event turned out to be a memorable one in many ways.

Friday, September 27
13.00-14.00		Lunch will be served at the University Cafeteria
14.00-15.00		Welcome
		Welcoming words in the Aula by Dr Erik Norberg, Chairman of the History Days Welcoming Address by Prof Dr Jaak Aaviksoo, Rector of Tartu University The Clio Prize winner presented by Dr Erik Norberg Music entertainment by Tartu University Choir Opening speech by President Lennart Meri
15.00-16.00		Coffee break
15.30-17.00		Parallel seminars
1		Pagan cult and Christianity: the Baltic people and their early concept of Europe Moderator: Agneta Lundström Participants: Docent Nils Blomkvist, Prof Dr Valter Lang and Dr. Ph. Heiki Valk
2		The age of Axel Oxenstierna: European statesman and magnate in the Baltic area Moderator: Erik Norberg Participants: Dr Helmut Backhaus, Stockholm, Dr Margus Laidre, Tallinn, Prof Em Dr Aleksander Loit, Stockholm and Mr Gunnar Wetterberg, Stockholm.
3		The impact of the Baltic provinces on culture and philosophy in the Swedish Realm Moderator: Anders Björnsson Participants: Docent Anders Hammarlund, Uppsala, B A Birgit Kibal, Tartu and Prof Em Dr Helmut Piirimäe, Tartu
4		The Beijer scholarships I, presentation of young historians from Sweden and Estonia. The session will be held in Swedish and English. Moderator: Hans Albin Larsson
19.00-21.00		Reception in the Vanemuine Theatre hosted by the City of Tartu Individual transport (Walking distance from your hotel)

Saturday, September 28
9.00 - 10.00		Plenary lecture in the Aula
		The Big Flight from Estonia to Sweden 1944 Professor Carl Göran Andrae, Uppsala Moderator: Anders Björnsson
10.00-10.30		Coffee break
10.30-12.00		Parallel seminars
5		Old structures vs innovations: administration, education and church in the 16th to 18th Centuries Moderator: Prof Dr Torkel Jansson Participants: Prof Dr Ea Jansen, Aivar Põldvee and Prof Dr Enn Tarvel
6		Societies in transition: consequences in education, curriculae and textbooks in history teaching and learning Moderator: Hélène Edgren Participants: Sirka Ahonen, Helsinki, Lecturer Hans Almgren, Arboga and Mare Oja, Tallinn
7		Music and poetry in 19th century politics. Building nations and national identities Moderator: Stefan Bohman Participants: Kristin Kuusma and Dr Sirje Olesk, Tartu
8		Agriculture in Estonia and the Swedish Realm Moderator: Lars Magnusson Participants: Prof Dr Anu Mai Köll, Docent Mats Morell, Stockholm and Dr Ülle Tarkiainen, Helsinki
12.00-13.30		Lunch will be served at the University Cafeteria
13.30-15.00		Topical subject in the Aula
		"Focal point seminar" Estonia, Russia, EU and NATO Introduced by Anders Björnsson Moderator: Ambassador Heikki Talvitie Participants: Mr Carl Bildt, Ambassador Jakko Blomberg, Mr Toomas-Hendrik Ilves, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
15.00-15.30		Coffee break
15.30-17.00		Parallel seminars
9		White nights and black: two authors continuing the conversation they started in "Are the nightingales still singing in Dorpat?" with (G F Parrot) reflections on current politics, life-style and their countries. The session will be held in Swedish Moderator: Kjell Peterson Participants: Author Jaan Kaplinski, Tartu and Author Johannes Salminen, Helsinki
10		The cold war relations Moderator: Professor Bo Huldt Participants: M A Indrek Jürjo, Tartu, Dr Lars Ericson and M A Mart Laar, Tallinn
11		Media and historical transformations around the Baltic Sea Moderator: Mr Ernst Klein, Chairman of Svensk presshistorisk förening Participants: Professor Jan Ekecrantz, Stockholm, Prof Dr Epp Lauk, Tartu and Prof Dr Marju Lauristin, Tartu.
12		The Beijer scholarships II, presentation of young historians from Sweden and Estonia The session will be held in Swedish and English. Moderator: Hans Albin Larsson
19.00		Closing dinner with entertainment at Püssirohukelder, The Gunpowder Cellar. Individual transport (Walking distance from your hotel)

Sunday, September 29
S1		Excursion to Narva
		We get together in the hotel lobby at 08h00 for departure. Our chaperone of the day is Prof. Em. Dr. Helmut Piirimäe Narva is Estonia's most eastern city situated only 140 km from St.Petersburg. Departure from Tartu towards Narva we will pass by the town of Alatskivi and it's castle with the deer's garden. In Kallaste we will see the Old Believers' Church and continuing towards Narva we will pass Raja and the bell tower of Rajaküla which is the old believers' monastery. Arriving in Narva we will have lunch and a tour of the city, visiting sights such as Narva Citadel (13th century). In the afternoon we will see the city of Rakvere with it's well preserved castle. The tour ends at the Airport 16h30 and the Ferry terminal at 17h00
S2		Excursion to Pärnu
		We get together in the hotel lobby at 08h30 for departure. We will start our day by visiting Viljandi and the Viljandi Order Castle ruins and it's beautiful park with a suspensional bridge. After that we continue to Pärnu which is the summer capital of Estonia famous for it's long sandy beach, parks and lots of cultural activities. Our chaperone in Pärnu will be Mr. Aldur Vunk and he will take us around sights like the main streets Rüütli and Kuninga, St.Elisabeth's Church (1740), Russian Orthodox St.Catherine's Church (1760), Town Hall, Tallinna Väravad (Tallinn Gates). Close to the Tallinn gates is Pärnu mole (breakwater) where we will see the promenade and green Ranna park. During the day we will stop for lunch in Pärnu. The tour ends at the Airport 15h00 and the Ferry terminal at 15h30
S3		Sightseeing Tallinn
		We get together in the hotel lobby at 08h30 for departure. When we arrive to Tallinn our tour will start by foot. First a visit in the Old Town with it's medieval citadel of Dome Hill, Dome Cathedral with valuable collection of coats of arms and tombstones. Our excursion in Tallinn will also give you the opportunity to see Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its onion shaped domes, the fortfield town wall with the it's 25 towers from the 14th-15th centuries. Furthermore we stop at the medieval guild houses of the Hanseatic lower town and the Town Hall. We continue by bus to the outskirts of Tallinn to visit the Song Festival Amphitheatre, Forest Cemetery, St.Birgitta's Convent (1407), the Olympic Yachting Centre and Kadriorg Palace and park. The tour ends at the Airport and the Ferry terminal.