Lauri Vahtre
Encyclopedia
Lauri Vahtre is an Estonian
politician, historian, translator and writer.
, then continued his postgraduate studies. From 1988 to 1992 he worked as a senior researcher in the Institute of History of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
, from 1989 to 1992 as a senior teacher at the Tartu University.
As a historian, Lauri Vahtre is known as a populariser of history and a co-author of several schoolbooks. His research work has concentrated on the history of Estonian Bar Association and Soviet time mentality among other topics.
together with his university mate Mart Laar
. Just before graduation Vahtre was expelled from the Tartu State University because of his patriotic views and activities, so he had to complete his studies as an extern. Together with Laar and other patriots they formed a political association, which in 1992 developed into a National Coalition Party "Pro Patria" (Rahvuslik Koonderakond "Isamaa"). Vahtre was a member of the Congress of Estonia
and from 1991 to 1992 a member of the Constitutional Assembly. In 1992, as a result of the victory of Pro Patria in the national elections, Lauri Vahtre was elected member of the VII Riigikogu
. He became one of the political leaders of the party and was re-elected to the parliament in 1995 and 1999. In 2003 the party faced a loss in the parliamentary election and Vahtre did not get elected. He returned to the parliament again in 2007 and became a member of the parliamentary Committee on Cultural Affairs as well as the National Heritage Association.
From 2001 to 2003 Lauri Vahtre was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
. He was a rapporteur on Moldova (together with Josette Durrieu).
. His brother is the artist Silver Vahtre.
, member of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union
Estonians
Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia. They speak a Finnic language known as Estonian...
politician, historian, translator and writer.
Education and career
Lauri Vahtre graduated from Tartu Secondary School Nr 2 in 1978 and from Tartu University history department in 1984 (1988 PhD). From 1983 to 1985 he worked as a senior research fellow in the Estonian Open Air MuseumEstonian Open Air Museum
The Estonian Open Air Museum is a life-sized reconstruction of an 18th century rural/fishing village, which comes complete with church, inn, schoolhouse, several mills, a fire station, twelve farmyards and net sheds. The site spans 79 hectares of land and contains 72 separate buildings and is...
, then continued his postgraduate studies. From 1988 to 1992 he worked as a senior researcher in the Institute of History of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
Estonian Academy of Sciences
Founded in 1938, the Estonian Academy of Sciences is Estonia's national academy of science. As with other national academies, it is an independent group of well-known scientists whose stated aim is to promote research and development, encourage international scientific cooperation, and...
, from 1989 to 1992 as a senior teacher at the Tartu University.
As a historian, Lauri Vahtre is known as a populariser of history and a co-author of several schoolbooks. His research work has concentrated on the history of Estonian Bar Association and Soviet time mentality among other topics.
Political career
Lauri Vahtre joined politics during the Singing RevolutionSinging Revolution
The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1991 that led to the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania...
together with his university mate Mart Laar
Mart Laar
Mart Laar is an Estonian statesman, historian and a founding member of the Foundation for the Investigation of Communist Crimes. He was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2002, and is the leader of the conservative party Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica...
. Just before graduation Vahtre was expelled from the Tartu State University because of his patriotic views and activities, so he had to complete his studies as an extern. Together with Laar and other patriots they formed a political association, which in 1992 developed into a National Coalition Party "Pro Patria" (Rahvuslik Koonderakond "Isamaa"). Vahtre was a member of the Congress of Estonia
Congress of Estonia
The Congress of Estonia was an innovative grassroots parliament established in Estonia as a part of the process of regaining of independence from the Soviet Union. It also challenged the power and authority of the pre-existing quasi-parliament in the country, called the Supreme Soviet of the...
and from 1991 to 1992 a member of the Constitutional Assembly. In 1992, as a result of the victory of Pro Patria in the national elections, Lauri Vahtre was elected member of the VII Riigikogu
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
. He became one of the political leaders of the party and was re-elected to the parliament in 1995 and 1999. In 2003 the party faced a loss in the parliamentary election and Vahtre did not get elected. He returned to the parliament again in 2007 and became a member of the parliamentary Committee on Cultural Affairs as well as the National Heritage Association.
International activity
In the parliament Lauri Vahtre was a member of the Estonia-India Parliamentary Group as well as the Estonia-Croatia Parliamentary Group. He also belonged to the Taiwan and Tibet Support Groups.From 2001 to 2003 Lauri Vahtre was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe , which held its first session in Strasbourg on 10 August 1949, can be considered the oldest international parliamentary assembly with a pluralistic composition of democratically elected members of parliament established on the basis of an...
. He was a rapporteur on Moldova (together with Josette Durrieu).
Personal
Lauri Vahtre's father was the historian Sulev VahtreSulev Vahtre
Sulev Vahtre was an eminent Estonian historian.Vahtre was born in Laiuse Parish . He ended his studyings in University of Tartu in 1955 and worked there until 1993. He studied Estonian agrarian history, medieval chronicles, cultural history, Estonia's Christianization in the 13th century and St....
. His brother is the artist Silver Vahtre.
Membership in associations
Lauri Vahtre is a member of Estonian Students' SocietyEstonian Students' Society
Estonian Students' Society is the largest and oldest all-male academical student society in Estonia, which is similar to Baltic German student corporations . It was founded in 1870 at the University of Tartu...
, member of Pro Patria and Res Publica Union
Books (selection)
- Torm, Varrak 2010, ISBN 978-9985-3-2038-9
- Absurdi impeerium, Tammerraamat 2007, ISBN 978-9985-9785-0-4
- Ajaloo pööripäevad (vol 2), Tammerraamat 2007, ISBN 978-9985-9831-3-3
- Ajaloo pööripäevad, Tammerraamat 2006, ISBN 978-9985-9692-9-8
- Eesti Advokatuuri ajalugu 1919–1994, Tallinn 2005, ISBN 9985-57-761-2
- Eesti rahva lugu, Ilo 2005, ISBN 9985-57-662-4
- Suur pettumus, Varrak 2002, ISBN 978-9985-3-0623-9
- Eesti kultuuri ajalugu. Lühiülevaade, Virgela 2000, ISBN 9985-862-69-4
- Eestlase aeg, Varrak 2000, ISBN 9985-3-0412-8
- Meenutusi kadunud maailmast, ehk, Keskkoolist, ülikoolist, matkadest, malevast, väljakaevamistest ja muust aastail 1975–1984", Tallinn 1999, ISBN 9985-2-0126-4
- Teine lugemine, Virgela 1998, ISBN 9985-862-33-3
Published in English
- Empire of the absurd: a brief history of the absurdities of the Soviet Union / foreword by Mart Laar ; [translation from Estonian: Tarmo Heyduck]. Ontario, 2010. 201 pages. ISBN 978-0-9865311-0-1. This book is dedicated to probably the greatest flowering of man-made absurdity in history - The Soviet Union
- Estonian home / [photos:] Henri van Noordenburg ; text by Lauri Vahtre ; [design: Piia Ruber] [Tallinn] : Eesti Instituut, 2008 ([Tallinn : Folger Art]) 44 pages. ISBN 978-9985-9698-1-6
- Humanism vs humanity / translated by Enn Veldi. Tallinn : Grenader, 2008. 163 pages. Original title: Suur pettumus ehk inimene, ühiskond ja inimõigused. ISBN 978-9949-448-11-1
- Republic of Estonia 90 / [text of the exhibition catalogue: Lauri Vahtre ; graphic design: Angelika Schneider] [Tallinn : Eesti Instituut, 2008]. 48 pages. ISBN 978-9985-9698-5-4
- Good old Swedish era – how long did it last and how good was it really? // Life in Estonia, Summer 2008, pages 18–22. Article bout the historical period between 1561–1710, when Estonia was part of the Kingdom of Sweden.
- The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire / 1993 / Eesti Keele Institute/Institute of the Estonian Language / Consultants: Ants Viires and Lauri Vahtre / Edited by Andrew Humpries and Krista Mits; ISBN 9985-9369-2-2
Translations from English
- McLynn, Frank. Napoleon. Tallinn, Varrak, 2002, ISBN 9985-3-0537-X
- Quinton, Anthony. Hume. Tallinn, Varrak, 2000, ISBN 9985-3-0367-9
- Ayers, Michael. Locke. Tallinn, Varrak, 2000, ISBN 9985-3-0367-9
- Tanner, Michael. Schopenhauer. Tallinn, Varrak, 2000, ISBN 9985-3-0368-7
- Berman, David. Berkeley. Tallinn, Varrak, 2000, ISBN 9985-3-0369-5
- Hughes, Lindsey. Peeter Suur (Peter the Great). Tallinn, Varrak 2005, ISBN 9985-3-0950-2
- Cornwell, Bernard. Sharpe (three volumes). Tallinn, Varrak 1998, ISBN 9985-3-0166-8, ISBN 9985-3-0206-0, ISBN 9985-3-0141-2
Films
- DetsembrikuumusDecember Heat (film)December Heat is a 2008 historic action drama film about the 1924 Estonian coup d'état attempt directed by Asko Kase and starring Sergo Vares.-Plot:...
(December Heat) : [drama : video] / director: Asko Kase; written by: Lauri Vahtre, Mihkel Ulman. Tallinn: Home Entertainment Group (distributor), 2009. DVD. - Tuulepealne maaTuulepealne maaTuulepealne maa is a twelve-part Estonian television mini-series about the pre-World War II history of Estonia, its birth as a country, the Estonian War of Independence, post-war life throughout 1920 up to 1941 and World War II....
(Windward Land) : [12 episodes : drama : video] / director: Ain Prosa ; written by: Mihkel Ulman, Lauri Vahtre. Tallinn: Sonatiin (distributor) : BEC, 2008.