Stanford-CAThis weekend, Eerik Marmei, Estonia’s Ambassador to the United States, presentedOrders of the Cross of Terra Mariana to Sylvia K. Thompson, President of theKistler-Ritso Foundation and Michael A. Keller, University Librarian atStanford University, on behalf of Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of the Republicof Estonia. The ceremony took place at the annual Estonian Independence Day celebrationin Sunnyvale, hosted by the local Estonian Society and bringing together morethan 200 Estonians and friends of Estonia.
Each year, the President of Estonia bestows 99 statedecorations to people who have significantly contributed to the country’sdevelopment, among them a handful of non-citizens. Sylvia Thompson and MichaelKeller received the awards for their exceptional work with the Estonia’s Museum of Occupations(soon to be renamed the Museum of Freedom, Vabamu) and building the Balticstudies program at Stanford University.
“I am honored and delighted to present the Orders of theCross of Terra Mariana to Michael Keller and Sylvia Thompson for theirdedication and service to the state and people of Estonia,” said Marmei. “Theircommitment to cultural and academic exchange between the United States andEstonia is highly valued and appreciated.”
Dedicatedadvocates and stewards of cultural heritage
Sylvia Thompson has an active role as a leader of non-profitorganizations. She is the President of the Kistler-Ritso Foundation, anon-profit foundation founded by her mother Olga Ritso Kistler, an Estonianrefugee who, like tens of thousands of her compatriots, fled her homeland inthe fear of the returning Soviet Army in 1944. The foundation focuses on educatingthe public regarding the occupation, resistance, freedom, and recovery of the Republicof Estonia.
In addition to building and running the Museum ofOccupations in Tallinn, Estonia, the Kistler-Ritso Foundation supported numerousEstonian and Baltic events, films and projects. In 2011, it gave anendowment to Stanford Libraries, making it possible forStanford to hire a curator for Baltic studies and begin building its Baltic program.This year, Sylvia Thompson supported the museum with additional 260,000 EUR,which is likely the single largest private donation in Estonia in 2016.
In her speech on Saturday, Sylvia Thompson stressed theimportance of not only focusing on Estonia’s tragic history but also on itsremarkable recovery during the past 25 years and the importance of maintaining thecountry’s independence and freedom.
“Estonia is remarkable not for its victimhood—sadly, thereare far too many victims of evil in this world. Estonia is unique for itsnon-violent “singing revolution” and its quick ascent to one of the mostsuccessful democracies in the world today,” said Thompson. “Freedom anddemocracy are fragile, and require constant vigilance—we must all work togetherto ensure that Estonians never again have to endure the horrors of occupation.”
“We are proud that Sylvia Thompson has continued the work ofher mother Olga Ritso Kistler at the Museum of Occupations (Vabamu),” saidMerilin Piipuu, the director of the museum. “Her support, input and warm heart helpthe museum to reach the next, more focused development level. It is justunbelievable how much Sylvia has helped the museum. She is a role model to allEstonians in Estonia and abroad!”
Michael Keller is Stanford’s University Librarian and servesas a member of the Supervisory Council of the Kistler-Ritso Foundation. He hasbeen the driving force behind the creation of Stanford’s Baltic program, and anactive supporter of the development of the Museum of Occupations. Last year,Keller also became Estoniane-resident.
Under Keller’s leadership and with donor support fromKistler-Ritso Foundation Stanford Libraries has established a growing Balticstudies program, which includes resources on Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian, aswell as on Finnish history, literature and culture. In addition, StanfordLibraries actively collaborates with Baltic institutions and organizations byconducting projects and organizing seminars, conferences and other events tosupport collection development.
“I amdelighted to be the first of many Stanford officers to be closely involved andsupporting the Museum of Occupations that we now call the Museum of Freedom,Vabamu,” said Keller in his speech.
Kellermade note that the Stanford Libraries, particularly through the curatorialexpertise of Liisi Esse, has amassed a rich collection including publishedworks about Estonia, testimonies of Estonians surviving the occupations,Estonian government documents, Estonian movies and music, and records ofEstonian ex-patriots, and has developed working relationships with Estonianlibraries and archives.
“Wewill help Stanford students and professors study Estonian history, literature,science, technology, and culture. And in doing that for Stanford, we willdraw other universities into this field. We seek always to help you and your countrymenpreserve Estonian freedom and to celebrate Estonia’s success,” said Keller ashe concluded his speech.
“Estonia is extremely fortunate to have Mike as a truefriend and a strong advocate of everything Estonian,” said Liisi Esse,Stanford’s Curator for Baltic studies.
“It is because of Mike’s keen interest towards Estonia andthe other Baltic states and his ability to recognize important developments inthe present and in the future that Stanford Libraries is the first academiclibrary in the U.S. to have a Baltic curator on staff, and has one of thestrongest Baltic collections in the continent. It is a great pleasure to seehim being rewarded for his ongoing support,” said Esse.
Estonianceremony
The official ceremony of presenting the state decorationstook place on February 23 in Tallinn, Estonia. The President of Estonia ToomasHendrik Ilves addressedthe recipients of the decorations by thanking them for the services they haveprovided to Estonia.
“You are all visible and stand in the spotlight, eitherthrough your professional work or as a supporter of your community. There arealso more faraway friends and supporters of Estonia, whose acts have madeEstonia more visible, audible, safer and more secure,” said PresidentIlves.
“You have put your soul into your work and the efforts youhave made for your home and Estonia in general will help propel us forward.These are efforts that drive Estonia onwards. You will make our country andeach and every one of us much bigger. Stronger, better.”