As the children and grandchildren of the people who fled Estonia in 1944, we wish to recognize the WW2 refugee-Displaced Persons’ story of our parents and grandparents who were forced to flee their homes and homeland in 1944 when the Soviet Union occupied the country for 50 years. They could not return. Siberia, imprisonment or death would have awaited them. The fate and history of 80,000 displaced Estonians was suppressed for 50 years with slanderous accusations by the Soviet authorities. In Estonia it was forbidden to even speak of it or acknowledge that a relative had fled west.

In order to remind the new generations, both in the Diaspora and Estonia, 2024 is being commemorated as the 80th anniversary of the Mass Flight of 1944 (Suurpõgenemine’44).

As a result of years of ground work to reintroduce this history, dozens of wonderful events- conferences, exhibits, concerts, important church services, films and school essay contests are set in Estonian communities in Estonia and the countries in which we live. This will continue to become an ongoing project for years to come. The Diaspora became an important part of Estonian Re-independence .

What is important is that each Estonian finds a meaningful place and time to reflect and remember the Mass Flight of 1944.

In order to create a permanent reminder of the heartbreaking moment of separation and departure, ÜEKN (Estonian World Council) has commissioned a Memorial Statue to be designed, erected and unveiled on September 21, 2024 in the city of Pärnu, next to the Pärnu River from where thousands fled in those little boats and ships. It will be deeply symbolic and the first such Memorial in Estonia erected by all of us in the worldwide Estonian Diaspora.

The city of Pärnu is a wonderful cooperative partner and has donated that special plot of land for the memorial. Together, we selected Elo Liiv as the artist and sculptor to design, create and install the unique, symbolic work of art. It will speak to all who see it and continue to tell our Suurpõgenemis story for years to come.

The picture is the the concept design of the Memorial which is being called “Puudutus”- or “Touch”. -deep in emotion and symbolism. “It is a depiction of the last moment when the departing person’s fingertips touch the remaining person’s hand, – both filled with yearning in the fingers and their hearts. It is the last moment of physical connection” (quote from artist)

Please become an important part of this Commemoration of our Refugee forefathers and make a generous donation to this project. We are relying on your support to realize this endeavor!

Donations can be made electronically through ÜEKN 1944 Donations or through the Estonian American National Committee Donations. If you wish to send a check, these can be sent to:

  • ÜEKN, c/o Liivika Koren, 311 56th St., Kenosha Wisconsin 53140, or
  • EANC, c/o Leelo Linask, 16 Pepperidge Rd. Monroe, Connecticut, 06468

We have 60,000 Euros (almost $65,000) to raise. Please be generous! Recognition will be given to acknowledge donations based on their size.

You are also invited to personally join us in Pärnu on September 21, 2024 for the official unveiling as well as other planned events.