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| The Danish Cultural Institute and the Baltic way to Independence | |
 25 years ago, the Danish Cultural Institute opened its first office in the Baltics. The decision to establish the institute in the three Baltic States was made in the sensitive political climate, before the independence was officially regained from the Soviet Union. The institute opened up the way for cultural exchange and cooperation between our countries, before any other foreign representations were established.
On June 27, 1990, the Danish Cultural Institute celebrated its 50th jubilee. The jubilee was held during a time where the institute had placed itself in the centre of events, namely the breaking-up of the Soviet Union and in Central- and Eastern Europe. The 1980s were a turbulent period in many ways, with an intensification of the Cold War on the one hand, and a softening of the physical boundaries on the other. New opportunities arose and the institute turned its attention and efforts towards the three Baltic States.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had a rather tumultuous existence during the 20th century. After the First World War, the three countries gained their independence. This lasted until Hitler and Stalin 1940 signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were declared Soviet republics. This meant that thousands of people were either deported to Siberia or executed.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, things began to change. People called for greater political, economic and cultural independence. The process towards national independence was characterised by a tense relationship with the still existing Soviet Union, and the saying “don’t rock the boat” was a recurring reaction when Denmark pushed European and American partners in an attempt to turn attention to the Baltic States. However, the Danish government could not officially act, as this would put the country in direct conflict with Moscow. This meant that Denmark had to look for alternative solutions to establish contact and ties with the three Baltic countries. And this is how the Danish Cultural Institute came to play an important role.
The idea of founding Danish Cultural Institute in Riga independent of political influence was received as a welcomed answer to the issue of establishing contacts with the Baltic States. With Secretary General Per Himmelstru, Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann Jensen and Herbert Pundik – former chief editor of Politiken – as the driving force on the Danish side, and former Prime Minister and Chairperson of DKI Poul Hartling as chairperson of the subscription committee, the necessary funds were raised. On the Latvian side, the then chairperson of the Latvian Writers’ Union Jānis Peters offered free premises and raised considerable funds among Latvian institutions and the Latvian people. Thanks to these efforts, the institute opened on June 1, 1990 in the House of Writers’ Union with Rikke Helms as its very prolific Director. The opening took place during the “singing revolution” where people from the three Baltic countries formed a human chain “Via Baltica” that streched from Tallinn to Vilnius in order to show their support for indepdenpence. On August 18, 1990, then Minister of Education, now Minister for Culture Bertel Haarder, officially opened the Danish Cultural Institute in Riga. This was the first foreign act taking place in the Soviet Union outside of Moscow. The opening of institutes in Tallinn and Vilnius took place shortly after. The institute became, and still is, an important meeting place for Danes and Balts seeking information and cultural contacts and dialogues.
Since then, the relationship between our countries has contiued to grow. Today, where the Institute is headed by Simon Drewsen Holmberg, there is a strong bond between our different cultures. The intercultural diagolgue and exchange taking place through concerts, exhibitions, study tours and much more, reveal that despite our differences we can work together, expand and strenghten our ties. Everyday, networks are being developed to the benefit of all countries. There is a strong belief – both in Denmark and in the three Baltic States – that continuous dialogue and cooperation between Denmark and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will continue to be as rewarding and necessary as before.
Photo: The night of the barricades
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