Between Integration and Isolation

Colin Bushweller

doi:10.37513/ciar.v14i1.560

Abstract

No abstract available.

Highlights

Considered Europe’s most “Eastern” city, Narva is in the Ida-Viru region of Northeastern Estonia, situated along the nation’s border with the Russian Federation
Visitors are often struck by the large-scale Soviet apartment complexes right at Narva’s entrance, which contrast starkly with the modern and old-town style of architecture found in Estonia’s other large cities
Estonia must reckon with the fact that its third-largest city operates in a different cultural and linguistic world, sharing little to no commonality with much of Estonian society

Summary

Introduction

Considered Europe’s most “Eastern” city, Narva is in the Ida-Viru region of Northeastern Estonia, situated along the nation’s border with the Russian Federation. Estonia’s third largest municipality, with a population of roughly 56,000, Narva’s residents have historically lived on the margins of Estonian society: culturally, linguistically, politically, and socially. Many of Narva’s residents sense this lack of belonging This mutual dissociation establishes a national and social divide in the country. Narva is a remnant of Estonia’s historical relationship with the Soviet Union. Estonia must reckon with the fact that its third-largest city operates in a different cultural and linguistic world, sharing little to no commonality with much of Estonian society. Block apartment complexes were built to house a soon-to-be influx of Russian industrial workers, ridding the city of its once vibrant Estonian heritage, which was significantly different from the monotonous, Soviet culture that replaced it. A Russian identity emerged in Narva, with many even opposing Estonian independence in the early 1990s.4 Since it is difficult to discern whether or not much has changed in regards to Narva’s connection to the Estonian state, as the city shares more similarities with its Soviet bellwethers than modern Estonian society.

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