CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

“Free Winds” is based on Jüri Vendla’s 2010 book Unustatud merereisid: Eestlaste hulljulged põgenemisreisid üle Atlandi 1940.aastate teisel poolel (Forgotten Sea Journeys: The daring escapes of Estonians across the Atlantic in the late 1940s). Mr. Vendla was inspired to write his book in part based on unpublished research by Alan Trei, my late father. 

Permission to adapt Unustatud merereisid for this digital exhibit was graciously provided by Toomas Vendla, SE&JS Publishing, the Estonian Maritime Museum, and Käsmu Maritime Museum.

Ede Schank Tamkivi, manager of Noorte Vabamu (NoVa), part of Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom, generously agreed to host and support “Free Winds,” making it possible to share these incredible stories of bravery with a global audience for the first time. Without Ede’s partnership, this project would have not been possible. 

My sincere thanks are extended to the helpful and dedicated staff at Vabamu who have contributed to this project, including Agnes Kaasik, Aive Peil, Ivo Lille, Kadri Paju, Liisi Rannast-Kask, Martin Vaino, Raimo Tõnisoo, and Sander Altrov. I am grateful to Franka and Anni Vakkum, and Inga Sokman, whose vision, artistry, and patience brought this project to life. Thanks are also extended to Kadri Linnas and Liina Viies at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Estonia, the Estonian and Baltic Studies Program at Stanford University, and the Estonian Studies Program at Tallinn University.

I am grateful to Kristi Vuht Allpere and Ruth Oja Sootaru (1927-2024), passengers on the Pärnu and the Prolific, whose bravery and spirit inspired me to tell their stories. 

Thank you. 

Lisa Trei, Curator