Estonia: Second Anniversary of “Bronze Soldier” Move Could Lead to Protests

By Larry Habegger | Permalink | No Comments | April 8th, 2009 | Trackback

April 26-27 is the second anniversary of the relocation of the “Bronze Soldier” statue from a central square in Tallinn to a military cemetery in the city, an event that produced two days of the worst rioting Tallinn has ever seen. In 2008, groups both for and against the move gathered but their demonstrations were predominantly peaceful. Gatherings are likely for this year’s anniversary and demonstrations are possible. The Bronze Soldier was erected by the Soviets in 1947 and viewed by Russian immigrants as symbolic of the Russian defeat of Nazi Germany and Russia’s claim to Estonia. Ethnic Estonians, on the other hand, saw the symbol of Soviet occupation and repression, hence the conflict.

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