Mnemonic security and post-Soviet aphasia: Soviet monuments in Estonian media after Russian invasion of Ukraine

ABSTRACT

The present paper analyses the public debates in Estonia related to the Soviet-era monuments in the aftermath of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine from the perspective of the ‘mnemonic security’. The latter concept implies a policy that makes certain historical memories ‘secure by delegitimizing or outright criminalizing others’ (Mälksoo 2015:221). In this context, the analytical focus is on such research questions as how a common past is remembered in a democratic society, and which groups adopt contrarian collective memories, including one that potentially endangers the identity of the titular nation. What makes it possible is a strategy that Mälksoo attributes to the Ukrainian society that is seeking self-emancipation. If applied to Estonia, this self-emancipation refers primarily to the domestic issues, aiming to erase the references to the Soviet (Russia-style) meanings in the collective identity of Russian-speakers in Estonia and to re-invent the new ones, grounded in pre-Soviet times.

KEYWORDS:

• Mnemonic security
• post-Soviet aphasia
• Estonian Russian speakers
• Soviet heritage
• Narva

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The paper applies elements of the Foucauldian approach to critical discourse analysis (CDA) and focuses on discursive aspects of inequalities and power relations (Fairclough 2010). Our CDA is based on the coverage of 40 Estonian media sources (in Estonian and Russian) that frequently published articles on the Soviet-era monuments from February 2022 to August 2023. Furthermore, the source selection was carried out with the Station software, suited for the CDA. The machine-based searching algorithm used an identical set of key words in Russian and Estonian (such as the ‘war’, ‘Soviet monuments’, ‘decommunization’, ‘occupation’, ‘Narva tank’, etc.) adjusted to the grammars of each language under consideration. The list of the analysed media sources included the following categories: 1) the largest mainstream media, broadcasting in both languages (Postimees, Delfi, ERR, Vikerraadio, Õhtuleht, Raadio Kuku, Põhjarannik, Eesti Pälevaleht, Eesti Ekspress); 2) Russian language media, mostly covering the local issues of Estonian Russian-speakers (Severnoje Poberezhje, Stolitsa, Seti, Stena, Narvskaya Gazeta, Tribuna, Gorod Narvskij); 3) media associated with the far-right EKRE party (Uued Uudiset, Objektiiv); 4) Russian language media, promoting pro-Kremlin agenda (Dokole, MK, etc). In total, we have analysed 1,445 and 2,073 articles in Estonian and Russian, respectively. After the first round of machine selection, we made the second round, excluding from the CDA news and focusing only on op-eds and analytical articles.

2. We conducted eight in-depth semi-structured interviews with historians, a journalist, an artist, and several politicians, who make regularly comment on the Estonian politics of memory. All experts speak Estonian; four of them are ethnic Estonians, and four have Russian origins (including three Narva natives). Estonians are active members of the Estonian parliament and represent the centrist (Eesti 200) and conservative far-right (EKRE) parties. The interviews lasted 30–60 minutes, and were conducted in October 2023 and in January 2024, in Estonian and Russian languages. The interviewees were informed about the purpose of the interview and gave their consent. In the article, we also use the materials of participant observation of Maria Kapajeva’s performance entitled ‘The enforced memory’, which she presented in Tallinn in September 2023.

Additional information

Funding

This paper is supported by the following grants and projects: Contested Heritage. A multilevel analysis of the securitization of heritage and its challenges for EU and UN actorness (COHERE) (Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds, CELSA, 2021-2024); The effects of the war in Ukraine on the political decision-making and strategic narratives in Estonia, France and the European Union (PARROT/PHC, 2023–2024); Challenges and Opportunities for EU Heritage Diplomacy in Ukraine (HER-UKR) (ERASMUS+, ERASMUS-JMO-2023-NETWORKS 101127459, 2024-2027); Strategic communication in the context of the war in Ukraine: lessons learned for Estonia (Estonian Military Academy R-019, 2023-2025); Russia and China’s influence in Central Asia: Europe’s prospects, concerns and search for balance (Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVU S23368, 2023-2024). Any opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the funding organizations.

Notes on contributors

Alexandra Yatsyk

Alexandra Yatsyk is a researcher at the French National Centre of Scientific Research at the University of Lille (CNRS-IRHiS) and a lecturer at Sciences Po, France. Her expertise covers post-Soviet nation-building, illiberalism, mega-events, biopolitics and art.

Vladimir Sazonov

Vladimir Sazonov is a Leading Research Fellow at the Estonian Military Academy and Associate Professor at the University of Tartu. He teaches politics, history and security. His research fields comprise hybrid warfare, Middle Eastern, Russian state ideology and information war.