Estonian Diaspora in Sweden : An Analysis of the Collection “Life Destinies” at the Swedish Nordic Museum

Runcis demonstrates how the archi- val collection produces a narrative about World War II refugees of Estonian origin in Sweden, which underlines their adaptation to Swedish society at the expense of other elements of identity, most importantly their Estonian identity. The author questions the widespread view generated by several researchers that Estonians as well as other Baltic peoples represent a well-integrated im- migrant group not only in Swedish multicultural society but in other Nordic countries as well (see, e.g., Raag 2004; Kyntäjä 1997). Runcis brings novelty to this discourse primarily due to its unique source material. In addition to interviews with exile Estonians, carried out by the Swedes as the representa- tives of dominant culture, the collection “Life destinies – Estonian diaspora in Sweden” also contains the interviewers’ notes and commentaries on the situa- tion in which the interview was conducted as well as the interviewees’ manner of behaviour, outfit, home design, etc.