On Tuesday we visited Vabamu, where we gained a deeper understanding of Estonia’s recent history and the development of our modern free society. Our guide explained why Vabamu was created, which stories the permanent exhibition highlights, and how different historical periods have shaped everyday life.
The exhibition covered both repression and the restoration of freedom, showing how these major shifts affected ordinary people. It became clear that freedom is not only a political or historical topic, but also a very human one.
After the tour, we wrote letters to children who have been taken from Ukraine. This activity was quieter and more serious, and it made us think about how the loss of freedom is not just a thing of the past but something that affects real children today who have lost safety and stability.
We then worked on creating different freedom-related words and phrases, such as freedom of press, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and others. Each word opened up a discussion about what that specific freedom means, when it can be limited, and how we experience it in our everyday lives.
This exercise made us reflect on which freedoms we personally consider most important and why. It also helped us explore the concept of freedom from various angles and understand its many layers.
Overall, evening at Vabamu turned out to be thoughtful and meaningful. We received a historical overview, a practical perspective, and a chance to discuss the topic of freedom through our own and others’ experiences. Together, this created a clear picture of why freedoms matter and why it is important to reflect on them even today.
