Estonians in Lithuania

Chairman Liia Urman
Work ph. (+370 5) 272 51 61
Mobile ph. (+370 698) 74927
E-Mail: urman@takas.lt

According to the data of the population census performed by the Lithuanian Statistics Department, 58 citizens of Estonia, 2 persons holding both Lithuanian and Estonian citizenship and 419 persons of Estonian nationality were residing in Lithuania in 2001.

Estonians came to Lithuania following different paths; majority of them settled here after conclusion of marriage with the local people. Some Estonians of the elder generation have come to Lithuanian after they were not allowed to come back to Estonia after their deportation time in Siberia ended. There are also people who after their graduation from higher education institutions have received appointments to work in Lithuania. Recently Estonian businessmen come to live to Lithuania as they establish here their own companies or represent the Estonian companies here. However, their residence in Lithuania is of a temporary manner, and they are not very actively involved in the activities of the Estonian Community.

Estonians living in Lithuania communicate among themselves already for numerous years; however, Estonian Community in Lithuania was first registered at Lithuanian Ministry of Culture in 1987 and then in the Ministry of Justice in 1989.

The Community’s activities are directed towards preservation of Estonian customs and traditions, presenting Estonian culture, celebrating together Estonia-related holidays (Independence Day, Midsummer Night, Christmas). Also attention is paid to cherishing the Estonian language. There is a dominical school, where 10-14 children are taught of Estonian language and culture. Not all the Estonians of second or third generation residing in Lithuania speak Estonian. Therefore it is extremely important that children participated in the summer camps with Estonian language teaching that are organized in Estonia.