AUGUST ANNI(STI) RAHVUSLIK-DEMOKRAATLIK KULTUURIIDEAAL EESTI VABARIIGI ALGUSAASTAIL JA VAIKIVAL AJASTUL
AUGUST ANNI(ST)’S NATIONAL-DEMOCRATIC IDEAL OF CULTURE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA AND DURING THE ERA OF SILENCE

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the national-democratic ideal of August Annist in the early years of the Republic of Estonia and in the so-called era of silence. The doctor of folklore August Annist (1899–1972) was in the 1920s and 1930s also a prolific writer on the topical issues of the Estonian national culture. His thoughts were published mainly in the periodicals of the Students’ Society Veljesto (Brotherhood), the students’ newsletter Üliõpilasleht, the journals Eesti Kirjandus (Estonian Literature) and Akadeemia (Academy), as well as in the Finnish magazine Suomalainen Suomi. Annist, who was considered the leading cultural ideologist of the students’ society EÜS Veljesto, tried to synthesize a new vision of culture that would meet the needs of the Republic of Estonia. He was dissatisfied both with the “outdated nationalism” of the older generation and with dogmatic socialism. He attempted to combine creatively the best traits of nationalistic ideal and socialism by attaching importance both to the national cultural activities and the realization of social ideals. Annist viewed independence as an outward form the purpose of which was to facilitate the independent development of culture. An essential component of Annist’s nationalism was supporting the democratic system of government. In the era of silence he was looking forward to the restoration of democracy in Estonia and recommended orientation towards the democratic Nordic countries where, as Annist thought, Estonia belonged because of its economic and social structure as well as due to the individualistic character of her people. For national and cultural reasons he favoured close and special relations with Finland.

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