82 years since the Great Escape of 1944
In the autumn of 1944, approximately 80,000 people fled Estonia ahead of the advancing Soviet Army — around 8% of the country’s population. Estonia was once again occupied by the Soviet Union. The occupation lasted for almost 50 years, from 1944 to 1991, and ended with the restoration of Estonia’s independence.
People crossed the stormy Baltic Sea on both large ships and small fishing boats, risking their lives and safety. Many never reached their destination. Around 32,000 Estonians reached Sweden, another 7,000 travelled via Finland, and nearly 40,000 made their way to Germany. This wave of departure is also known as the boat refugee exodus, or the GREAT ESCAPE. Reaching safety meant freedom, but what followed was often a difficult life in refugee camps and the challenge of beginning again in a foreign country.
Installation “THE GREAT ESCAPE – THE BOAT OF TEARS”
Solaris Centre, 19–21 September 2026
At the centre of this memorial installation dedicated to the boat refugees who fled Estonia in 1944 is a solitary sailing boat on its way from Estonia towards Finland, Sweden or Germany.
The small boat carries the “Sail of Tears”, depicting a girl standing on a pier with her small dog and a Luther plywood suitcase. Only the bare necessities have been hurriedly packed into the suitcase. The girl looks back longingly at the homeland she is being forced to leave behind. As always, the boat is filled with “tears”.
