The other day I visited the Museum of Occupations in Tallinn located right on the outside of the old city walls. August 23rd marked the 25th Anniversary of the Balti Kett (Chain) or the Baltic Way-- a human chain of approximately two million people spanning over 370 miles connecting the three capitols of the Baltic States: Tallinn in Estonia, Riga in Latvia, and Vilnius in Lithuania in 1989. This was an act of peaceful protest against the illegal Soviet occupation and was done to also bring attention to the Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact, the secret treaty signed 50 years prior on August 23rd 1939 that divided Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania in violation of international law between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
There were several concerts and events commemorating the event throughout all three countries. The museum currently had an exhibit commemorating the anniversary of the "Baltic Way".
Baltic Way Museum Board
More information on the Baltic Chain can also be found here:
http://estonianworld.com/life/estonia-commemorates-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-baltic-way/
Images form Exhibit
There are several interesting architectural elements to the museum that I will explore later in another blog, but a video seemed appropriate to capture this rainy day experience. I have always found this courtyard to be a nice peaceful entrance and exit before entering and leaving the serious and often somber content of the museum.
More information about the museum can be found on the museum website: http://okupatsioon.ee/en