Freedom Gate

In the autumn 1994, 50 years passed since the fleeing of over thirty thousand Estonians and Estonian Swedes over the Baltic Sea to Sweden. Several related events took place in 1994, during which the Estonians and Estonian Swedes living in Sweden introduced their history, culture and activities over the years. As a peak of these events a monument was erected - the Freedom Gate - and presented to the Swedish people as an expression of gratitude to them and a remembrance to the future generations.

Estonian sculptor Matti Varik won the competition for designing the monument. Over 3600 Estonians and several organisations donated 640 000 crowns for its erection.

The Freedom Gate - 8 metres high monument of grey granite with narrow gap - was inaugurated on October 7, 1994 on Manilla Holme in Djurgården. His Majesty, Carl XVI Gustaf, the King of Sweden held a speech at the ceremony in which he said: let the Freedom Gate commemorate the brave fight of Estonian people for the democracy and justice and let the monument symbolise close relations between our two nations.

A text in Estonian and Swedish has been carved to both sides of the monument:

The Freedom Gate
Estonians' and Estonian Swedes' Gratitude to the People of Sweden Anno 1994

We came in small boats over the see to escape from terror and dictatorship. Thirty thousand men, women and children reached the shore, among them workers, fishermen, farmers, intellectuals… We received a warm welcome, we were able to find work and to safely establish homes and families. We did never forget the country from which we were forced to leave and we strove for its freedom.

Let the Freedom Gate testify to the humanity and tolerance of the Swedish people towards those who were looking for a shelter in evil times and let it commemorate a tiny nation who found here a new home for itself.

Estonians and Estonian Swedes in Sweden
1944-1994

Photos: Kalle Onno and Ilmar Vaher