In 1944, thousands of Estonians escaped invading Russia by migrating across the seas to Sweden, Finland, and beyond. Few have memory of this today—but those who do vividly remember all the little details: the smell of the boat, the taste of the bread… With this in mind, photographer Maria Spann set out to capture these particular memories through the eyes of those who endured this migration, and the objects they brought with them. Each set of photographs tells a story: of memory, of loss, and of new beginnings.
This special evening will serve as the official launch of Spann’s exhibit at H-Street’s Mehari Sequar Gallery. Join the European Union Delegation and Embassy of Estonia for a free viewing and reception, highlighted by remarks from Spann and one of her photographed subjects, who to this day remembers her migration through what she brought with her, and what she left behind.
Wednesday, 15 January 2020 from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Mehari Sequar Gallery
1402 H Street NE, Washington D.C. 20002
Doors open: 7:00 PM
Remarks: 7:30 PM:
– Michael Curtis, Deputy Chief of Mission (European Union Delegation)
– HE Jonatan Vseviov, Ambassador (Embassy of Estonia)
– Diana Murray Watts, Curator (Mehari Sequar Gallery)
– Maria Spann, Photographer (Children of the 1944 Estonian Diaspora)
– Sirje Helder Gold, Estonian Emigrant
Doors close: 9:00 PM
