scholarly journals Phenomenon of the Baltic singing revolution in 1987-1991: Three Latvian songs as historical symbols of non-violent resistance

Muzikologija ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
Jānis Kudiņs
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Political History ◽  
Folk Song ◽  
Objective Analysis ◽  
Communist Regime ◽  
Special Significance ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Historical Experience ◽  
Nonviolent Resistance ◽  
The Baltic

The denomination singing revolution (coined by Estonian artist Heinz Valk, b. 1936) is commonly used for events in Baltic States between 1987 and 1991 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Three songs - the folk song P?t, v?ji?i! (Blow, Wind!), the choir song Gaismas pils (The Castle of Light) by the national classical composer J?zeps V?tols (1863-1948) and the song Saule, P?rkons, Daugava (Sun, Thunder, Daugava) by the composer M?rti?s Brauns (1951) - at that time in Latvia had a special significance in society. Each song represented references to different layers in Latvian cultural and political history. The characteristics of the three songs in the Singing Revolution process are based on the approach and methodology of distant (objective) analysis of cultural context and recent historical experience. As a result, this article reveals the meaning and reception of the three songs as symbols of nonviolent resistance during the fall of communist regime in Latvia in the late 1980s.

The Concepts and Ideas of ‘Spirituality’ Within Worldviews of Alternative Religiosities in the Post-Communist Region: Vissarionites and Anastasians

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 241-264
Author(s):  
Rasa Pranskevičiūtė-Amoson
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
New Age ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
New Age Spirituality

Abstract The article presents research on contemporary religiosities related to individuality and subcultural features, influenced by the processes of social change and religious diversification in the post-communist region. Its aim is to discuss individual and communal thinking (orientated to esotericism, magic, and ecology) typical for representatives of two nature-based spirituality movements—Vissarionites and Anastasians, which is expressed through concepts of New Age spirituality of Oriental origin. The concepts of energy, non-violence, vegetarianism, karma, and reincarnation are used in both movements and appear as an example of how such concepts arrived through Western cultural influences, transformed, and took root in the post-communist cultural context of New Age spirituality. The findings are based on data obtained from fieldwork in 2004–2015, including participant observation and interviews with respondents in the Baltic states and Russia.

scholarly journals "Willingness to Defend Estonia: Fostered by Civil-Military Integration and Communication"

2021 ◽  
pp. 35-46
Author(s):  
Ivo Juurvee ◽  
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
Military Culture ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Historical Experience ◽  
Russian Speakers ◽  
Soviet Occupation ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Effective Integration ◽  
Positive Factor

As a part of the overarching publication “Willingness to Defend Own Country in the Baltic States: Implications for National Security and NATO’s Collective Defence” (2021), the author of this chapter assesses willingness to defend Estonia. The author puts forth several points. While such factors as historical experience, i.e., the Soviet occupation and visibility of NATO Allies, are shared with both Latvia and Lithuania, other reasons are more Estonia-specific. Among these are the effective integration of military and civilian sector, i.e., a mature conscription system, operational reservists’ system, and effective military-civilian communication. Another positive factor is the Nordic, or more specifically Finnish, influence on the Estonian military culture, as well as the governance approach and lifestyle in broader terms. Nevertheless, a notable issue remains – level of willingness is lower among non-Estonians, i.e., Russian speakers.

Baltic States in the European Union

2006 ◽  
pp. 118-132
Author(s):  
R. Simonyan
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Eu Accession ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
The Baltic

The article analyzes social and economic changes, which have occurred in the Baltic states after their EU accession. It reveals new tendencies in the development of this new region of the united Europe that plays a significant geostrategic role for Russia.

PARTICIPATION OF UZBEK SOLDIERS IN THE LIBERATION OF THE BALTIC STATES

2020 ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Ilkhomjon M. Saidov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Socialist Republic ◽  
Soviet Socialist Republic ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Great Patriotic War ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Soviet Historiography

The article is devoted to the participation of natives of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in the Baltic operation of 1944. The author states that Soviet historiography did not sufficiently address the problem of participation of individual peoples of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War, and therefore their feat remained undervalued for a long time. More specifically, according to the author, 40–42% of the working age population of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. Such figure was typical only for a limited number of countries participating in the anti-fascist coalition. Analyzing the participation of Soviet Uzbekistan citizens in the battles for the Baltic States, the author shows that the 51st and 71st guards rifle divisions, which included many natives of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, were particularly distinguished. Their heroic deeds were noted by the soviet leadership – a number of Uzbek guards were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In addition, Uzbekistanis fought as part of partisan detachments – both in the Baltic States, Belarus, Ukraine, the Western regions of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and Moldova. Many Uzbek partisans were awarded the medal “Partisan of the Patriotic War” of I and II degrees.

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