An interactive exhibition (2020) on Red Army terror in reoccupied Estonia in 1944-1945, set against thebackdrop of the Soviet Liberator-myth. 

Red Army’s arrival in 1944 was not greeted with flowers and song anywhere in Estonia, with the exception of performances held by propaganda agencies. People knew that a new occupying regime had arrived.
For the reinstated Communist Party and other institutions of the Soviet regime, problems doubled due to Red Army soldiers’ and officers’ unlawfulness. They had to put a stop to the lootings and violence while explaining to the people that a ‘liberator’ had arrived.
The local party and Soviet institutions and state security departments reported soon enough of people making comparisons between the activities of the ‘liberator’ and the defeated Germans. Estonians concluded that they had jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

TO THE EXHIBITION

Curator: Peeter Kaasik

Drawings: Karl-Erik Talvet

Editors: Toomas Jiio, Meelis Maripuu, Eli Pilve

Translations: Elmar Gams, Marju Meschin

Design: Anni Vakkum, Franka Vakkum

Posters: Eesti Kunstimuuseum, Eesti Rahvusraamatukogu, Tartu Kunstimuuseum