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Lihula is a small town in Estonia in the cemetery of which a monument depicting an Estonian soldier in a World War II German uniform, resembling Heer-uniform, was unveiled on August 20, 2004, with a dedication as follows: To Estonian men who fought in 1940-1945 against Bolshevism and for the restoration of Estonian independence.
Controversy
The monument had been erected once already in Parnu in 2002. This time, however, the SS references on the soldier's uniform were removed. As the dedication included those who fought in the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS against Bolshevism, it received international condemnation, especially from Jewish organizations, most notably the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Most supporters of the monument, however, have clearly distanced themselves from the Nazi ideology, and view Estonians' serving in German army a as having been a necessary evil instead. However, mayor of Lihula published book in 2004 in which he denies the Holocaust, which adds an extra level of controversy.
Removal of the monument
In 2004, some international organizations expressed protests against this monument and demanded that it be taken down. The Estonian Government, possibly due to pressure from the EU and the USA, ordered the monument to be removed.
The crane which was to have removed the monument from Lihula could not enter the cemetery because of a crowd of protesting people. The Riot Police were called in, but as they arrived, local people started to throw stones at them and the driver of the crane. After a fight between the crowd and the police, the people were driven back, and some police were transported to a hospital because of superficial wounds.
After the removal of the monument it was subsequently placed in the Museum of Fight for Estonia's Freedom in Lagedi near Tallinn.
External links
- Looking for the truth behind Lihula
- Template:Et icon Muuseumisse pandud ajalugu
- Template:Et icon Lihula Samba Lugu
References
- Monument unveiled despite criticism
- Monument unveiled despite criticism
- Looking for the truth behind Lihula
- Riot police help remove controversial WW2 monument
- Estonia Restores Monument to SS Legionnaires, Russia Angered
- Tiit Madisson: "The Lesson of Lihula", 2005 (in original Estonian: "Lihula õppetund")
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