Pagulasraamat Eesti kultuuripildis
Books of Exile in the General Impressions of Estonian Culture

Summary/Abstract: More than 4000 publications were issued by the Estonian community in exile during the period of 1944–2000. Belletristic literature formed over 36% of the printed matter, but textbooks as well as scholarly, technical, political and ecclesiastical publications were also well represented. Voluminous collected works, where the Estonian authors in exile have managed to summarize the activities of Estonian expatriates in their various countries of residence, will always form an integral part of Estonian cultural inheritance. Large editions of political pamphlets were issued and distributed in the course of political campaigns with the aim of introducing Estonian problems to the world. The Estonians outside Estonia were outstanding publishers of scholarly literature within their own community as well as in co-operation with foreign research groups and under the auspices of various academic institutions. It is quite obvious that all the publications of exile can not be of equal importance to Estonian cultural history. The majority of Estonian belletristic literature that was published outside Estonia arrived in the homeland with a considerable delay, therefore it could not be appreciated in its right temporal context. Still, the publishing activities of the Estonians in exile have made a remarkable contribution to the evolution of the Estonian nation. They were resultful in supporting the preservation of Estonian cultural heritage as well as informing the world about the political situation in Estonia.

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