Keila Kopvillem and Kerly Ilves, VEMU Estonian Museum Canada
VEMU’s collections contain many different materials which are important pieces in understanding our history. These materials include personal documents, recorded interviews, newspapers, photographs and memoirs. Using VEMU’s collections, we investigate and share the personal stories and journeys of four Estonian women, focusing on their Great Escape from Estonia in 1944. All four of these women ultimately called Canada their home, where they were each active members of the Estonian diaspora community. They have since passed on their personal materials to VEMU, which we will continue to share with our community.