What was the Baltic Way?

A lot of people holding hands, naturally. Today everyone in Estonia knows that much.

But what is it beyond that? The Baltic Way is:

  • the largest mass demonstration in the history of Estonia and the Baltics
  • two million people standing hand in hand in a line 600 km long on 23 August 1989
  • for many, one of the most emotional and beautiful memories of the regaining of independence alongside the mass concerts of the Singing Revolution
  • an exemplary and unfortunately quite unique example of extensive cooperation between the three Baltic neighbours Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

These are generally known facts. But this is not all there is to it.

The online exhibition by the Estonian History Museum delves deeper into the story of the Baltic Way, describing the reasons for organising this ambitious mass event, its background, process and outcomes.

Welcome!