Estonian Literary Museum's archive appeals for coronavirus diaries
The Estonian Cultural History Archive of the Estonian Literary Museum and the Estonian Biographical Association are appealing for people to send them their experiences of the coronavirus crisis and emergency situation in Estonia until September 1.
In March, the Estonian Cultural History Archive of the Estonian Literary Museum (Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum) and the Estonian Biographical Association (Ühendus Eesti Elulood) invited people to keep an emergency diary and record the situation in Estonia. Now the emergency is over, writers are asked to send their diaries to the archive.
Leena Kurvet-Käosaar, a senior researcher and biographer at the archives, said diaries, memories and thoughts from the time of the emergency are welcome to be submitted to the archives.
"The emergency affected people differently. For some, this time meant a greater burden, while others could experience both external and internal stagnation. That's why we invited people to write about their experiences. Each experience is special and worth recording," she explained.
Maarja Hollo, the chairwoman of the Estonian Biographies Association and a senior researcher at the Estonian Cultural History Archives, said some diaries had already been submitted.
"The diaries we have received so far are very diverse and that is good. For example, we have received a diary from a woman who volunteered in Italy during an emergency," she said.
Hollo and Kurvet-Käosaar said diaries and memories can be sent to the archive both in writing (electronically, on paper) and in recorded form.
"Memories can be recorded for those for whom writing does not come naturally," they confirmed, adding a mobile phone can be used to make the recordings.
Diaries can be sent by e-mail to [email protected] or the following address "Eriolukorra päevik" (emergency diary), Eesti Kirjandusmuuseumi Kultuurilooline Arhiiv, Vanemuise 42, Tartu 51003.
Diaries and memories can also be submitted in English.
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Editor: Helen Wright