“The White Ship” by Estonian Painters Association

The White Ship -  DET VITA SKEPPET
Estonian Painters Association

Estonian House in Stockholm
Opening 03.02.2023 at17.00
3.02.‒27.02.2023   

Supported by: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian House, Estniska Kultursamfundet

Artists:  Vano Allsalu, Stanislav Antipov, Ivi Arrak, Urve Dzidzaria, Jaan Elken, Herlet Elvisto,  Evi Gailit, Anne-Mai Heimola, Eva Jänes, Saskia Järve,   Kai Kaljo,    Anniki Kari,   Erki Kasemets, Kaie Kal, Liis Koger,  Andres Koort, Liisa Kruusmägi, Piret Kullerkupp, Maret Suurmets Kuura, August Künnapu,  Vilen Künnapu, Mati Kütt, Maria Lapteva Sidljarevitš,  Philiph Arvo Luik, Ivika Luisk, Helle Lõhmus, Andrei Maksimjuk, Margus Meinart, Karl-Kristjan Nagel, Mall Nukke, Ulvi Oro, Riin Pallon, Tiiu Pallo-Vaik, Mall Paris, Sirje Petersen, Lii Pähkel, Ingmar Roomets, Mari Roosvalt, Uno Roosvalt, Rait Rosin, Leho Rubis, Valev Sein, Sorge, Аnatoli Strahhov, Ursula Sõber, Karl-Erik Talvet, Tiina Tammetalu, Edgar Tedresaar, Maris Tuuling.             
 
Organized by: Estonian Painters Association. Curated by: Tiiu Rebane
 www.maal.ee     www.eestimaja.se     https://kultuurikoondis.se/

The white ship was according to the beliefs of the Estonian prophet Maltsvet (around 1860) a ship  which was supposed to come and take believers to a better land. According to theologian and cultural historian Riho Saard, earlier sources mention the Maltsvet people believing in a miracle of reaching Jerusalem or waiting for a cloud that would take them away. Since Maltsvet, the white ship has become a strong image in Estonian culture, symbolizing the expected and hoped-for deliverance, which may not come.
Historical parallels have been seen both in the expectation of the English fleet during the First World War and the mass flight across the Baltic Sea (mainly to Sweden) during the Second World War, as well as in the restoration of sea-ties that were broken at the beginning of the Soviet era. The ships Vanemuine (1965-66), Tallinn (1966-1980) and Georg Ots (1980-2000) operated between Estonia and Finland.
The ferry Estonia sank on the night of September 28, 1994 on a trip from Tallinn to Stockholm. At least 852 people died.
In Estonian culture, the white ship can be considered both a mythological symbol and a purely aesthetic image; as well a historically saturated sign and a realtime object. However, the artists certainly had a freedom to interpret the theme according to the author's personal thoughts.