Papers by Irena Saleniece
Paedagogica Historica, Jan 23, 2015
Following the division of the Baltic states between the USSR and Nazi Germany during the Second W... more Following the division of the Baltic states between the USSR and Nazi Germany during the Second World War, the hitherto independent state of Latvia became an integral component of the Soviet sphere of influence. The Red Army first entered the country in June 1940, when a ‘socialist revolution’ was staged by pro-Moscow forces, and in early August, Latvia, along with Estonia and Lithuania, was ‘voluntarily’ incorporated into the Soviet Union. The new regime’s attempts to establish a Sovietised system were not supported by the mass of the people, not least because the practices were accompanied by violent repressions. War hostilities started on Latvian territory in the summer of 1941, when Nazi forces promptly occupied the entire land for more than three years. This was followed in 1944 by Soviet re-occupation, re-Sovietisation efforts and reprisals against the native population. The scale and character of the repression, as well as the intensity and shape of Latvian resistance, differed from the Stalinist period to Khrushchev’s ‘Thaw’ to the Brezhnevite ‘era of stagnation’, but harmony between the communist regime and the local community was never attained. Taking advantage of a weakened Soviet government, Latvia, together with the other Baltic nations, demanded its freedom and peacefully achieved independence in 1991. Recovery and the restoration of the democratic parliamentary republic was followed by the withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia and accession to the European Union in 2004.
Journal of Comparative Studies
She graduated from the University of Latvia (1985) and Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, I... more She graduated from the University of Latvia (1985) and Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy (1998). She has been working mainly on new religious movements and youth culture; currently she is conducting research on religious fundamentalism and Islamophobia. She has broad experience in implementation of international research projects: she has been a DU partnerships lead of FP projects: FP6 SAL, FP7 MYPLACE, FP7 MYWEB. Her methodological expertise in ethnography and mixed method research design is of direct relevance to the Project; she is editor-in-chief of ìKult˚ras Studijasî (Cultural Studies).
The Baltic States under Stalinist Rule, 2016
Journal of Baltic Studies, 2016
ABSTRACT This article is based on a comparative analysis, juxtaposing archival and oral historica... more ABSTRACT This article is based on a comparative analysis, juxtaposing archival and oral historical sources, to identify changes that took place in the teaching profession in the annexed Baltic States. Attention is paid to the generation of Estonian and Latvian teachers, born in the 1920s–1930s and trained as Soviet teachers in the 1940s–1950s. Their transformation into ‘Soviet people’ included acceptance of Soviet values and rejecting the inherent ones. Therefore, the research focuses on the course and outcomes of reeducation of teachers pursued by the Soviet authorities up to the early 1960’s.
De-Stalinising Eastern Europe
Mäetagused, 2009
Artiklis põhjendatakse vajadust kasutada Läti 20. sajandi ajaloo uurimisel suulise ajaloo allikai... more Artiklis põhjendatakse vajadust kasutada Läti 20. sajandi ajaloo uurimisel suulise ajaloo allikaid koos teiste allikaliikidega selleks, et avastada seni mahavaikitud fakte ning muuta ettekujutust minevikust täpsemaks ja mitmetahulisemaks. Näitena on artiklis analüüsitud kahe naise -25. märtsil 1949. aastal küüditatud ema ja tütre -eluolu, nagu see on fikseeritud nende elulugudes ja arhiividokumentides. Arhiividokumentide ja suulise ajaloo intervjuu ühendamise vajadusest lähtudes osales autor allikakogu 1949. gada 25. martā izvesto balsis (25. märtsil 1949. aastal küüditatute hääled) koostamisel. Toetudes allikapublikatsiooni ettevalmistamise kogemustele käsitletakse artiklis arhiividokumentide ja suuliste allikate kompleksse avaldamisega seotud õiguslikke ja eetilisi probleeme ning allikate arheograafia küsimusi. Märksõnad: arhiividokumendid, intervjuud, kompleksne allikapublikatsioon, Läti ajalugu, märtsiküüditamine Läti 20. sajandi ajalugu on sündmusterikas, olulisimad neist on Läti riigi loomine 1918. aastal ja riikliku iseseisvuse taastamine 1991. aastal. Sõltuvalt suhtumisest Läti riikluse ideesse tõlgendavad ja hindavad erinevate historiograafilise koolkondade ja traditsioonide esindajad Läti ajaloo fakte erinevalt. Need tõlgendused on mõnikord lausa vastupidised, näiteks Läti annekteerimine aastal 1940 on nõukogude ajaloolaste silmis ajaloolise õigluse võit, kuid Läti rahvusliku historiograafia esindajad tunnistavad selle okupatsiooniks. Kumb väide on tõele lähemal? Tõenäoliselt see, mis põhineb ajaloo allikatel kui tunnistustel. Kuid kirjalikud allikad, millest peamiselt lähtub Läti 20. sajandi ajaloo rekonstrueerimine, on enamasti ametlikku päritolu, st need esindavad minevikufakte võimu vaatevinklist. Totalitaarsete režiimide 1 ametlike dokumentide puhul tuleb arvestada totalitaarse bürokraatliku süsteemi mõju ja ebameeldivate faktide ignoreerimi-
From Recognition to Restoration, 2010
Eastern Europe in 1968, 2018
Drawing on a wide range of archival and oral history sources, Saleniece and Sķiņķe show how, desp... more Drawing on a wide range of archival and oral history sources, Saleniece and Sķiņķe show how, despite the determined efforts of the communist authorities in the Baltic States, the events of the Prague Spring had a Baltic echo. After purging ‘National Communists’ from the Estonian and Latvian Communist Parties in the 1950s, the authorities were ready to act against any sign of independent thinking and this propaganda offensive was by and large successful. However, the true nature of the events in Prague was understood by some and found a reflection both in student protest and cultural life. From these events a Baltic group of Soviet dissidents emerged who would campaign for the restoration of independence.
A real breakthrough in the 20th century history of the Baltic States research is focus on the int... more A real breakthrough in the 20th century history of the Baltic States research is focus on the interwar, World War II, Soviet and Nazi occupations and Sovietization periods. Until recently the official version of the 20th century history of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia prevailed in research, historical sources, archives and records representing the position of the ruling regime were studied meanwhile ordinary people’s experiences were ignored. Oral history is an exciting source and can provide the true course and picture of historical events. Despite the benefits of oral history – to reveal undocumented and specific information otherwise not provided in written sources, recover and preserve the atmosphere of the epoch and human experiences, some limitations should be taken into account – the source can be unreliable, a subjective and narrow picture can be provided as well as legal and ethical considerations
In the collection "Vestures macibu aktualitates skola. DU Vestures katedras 2.-4. metodiskas... more In the collection "Vestures macibu aktualitates skola. DU Vestures katedras 2.-4. metodiskas konferences rakstu krajums. 1"Available from Latvian Academic Library / LAL - Latvian Academic LibrarySIGLELVLatvi
Paedagogica Historica: International Journal of the History of Education, Jan 23, 2015
The idea for this article proceeds from personal, practical, and emotional experience and reflect... more The idea for this article proceeds from personal, practical, and emotional experience and reflections on holding the position of the Minister for Education and Science during the period of the economic crisis in Latvia (2007–2010). The article consists of three parts. The first part outlines the potential of a position in power with a particular focus on developments in education policy. The second part gives an overview of the most important initiatives in the education sector undertaken by ministers for education during the first period of independence of the Republic of Latvia (1918–1940). Analyses of developments in the content of education in line with alterations in organisation of studies and professionalisation of teaching are provided. Regardless of the fact that the majority of changes were implemented with the intention to contribute to the awakening of people, nation and state, most of the initiatives induced resistance and rejection. In line with success and positive results, severe criticism of opponents and even peers had to be faced by those in a position of power. The third part raises the questions: “Is it possible to be an independent intellectual and a politician at the same time?” and “What are the benefits and difficulties in preserving two identities: an academic and/or a politician?”
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Papers by Irena Saleniece