Final Evaluation of the Nordic Spaces Project "Nordic Profile: Image of the Nordic community in Latvian Printed Mass Media from the end of XIX century to XXI century"




Project has longed for two years from 2007 to 2009. In general project plan has been followed according to the original preliminary plan. However one adjustment had been made. Due to the impossibility to complete the whole period in my research within two years' period I have not focussed on the Soviet occupation era which contains large but prinicpally different material.
Results. All in all during the time period I have received support from the Nordic Spaces Program I have done research from the very beginnings of Latvian mass media to the Second World War. Research contained analyses of the whole tsarist era from 1860s to the 1917 and then on the Interwar period and Second World War. National awakening, New Latvian movement for the first time created basis for the development of literature, newspapers, then first stories about Nordic countries written by eyewitnesses were published in Latvian mass media. Widespread industrialization, increasing development of the literacy and subsequently - increase in the numbers and variety of periodicals created basis for vast and first-hand knowledge about foreign countries. However this period ended in 1914 when WW1 broke out. Next - interwar period - reflected qualitative changes in the mass media developments. For the first time Latvian newspapers enjoyed full freedom, not speaking about considerable increase in quantity. Latvia became independent country and in the political discourse deeper and wider reflection Latvian-Nordic foreign policy problems for the first time appeared. Experience of Nordic countries was carefully studied and compared.
The principal body of written material here consisted of all Latvian language printed media which have been published in the period mentioned above, and which have been examined systematically using extensive bibliographical indices (and special card files of National library regarding 1938-1944) published for registration purposes of the separate articles. In this project answer was sought to the question, what image have the Latvian printed mass media had of Nordic states from the end of XIX century.
Several topics were more deeply analyzed and later presented in conferences or submitted for publishng. One of them was comparison of the Sweden's and Finland's portrail in newspapers of late 19th century. In general, both countries - independent Sweden and autonomous Finland - were regarded in Latvian newspapers in a similar way, as generally self-governing states. However, there are differences in how particular subjects are covered. There are very few articles, if any, on the political conditions in Finland until the early 20th century, when Russification started. By contrast, there are several articles describing the political system, the royal family and agricultural policy in Sweden. It is only when St Petersburg's policy towards Helsinki became more aggressive that Latvian newspapers paid more attention to Finnish political status within the empire. With regard to Finland, greater emphasis is placed on Finnish culture, literature, folklore and the everyday life of ordinary Finns. The explanation for this certainly lies in the historical parallels. Thus, during the 1890s and later, it came to be increasingly realised how close the Finns really were to the Baltic.
Sweden's more specific role was due to her glorious past and often controversial relations with its 'smaller' and somehow subordinate neighbours, the Finns and Norwegians. Certainly, the Latvian social activists, authors of most of the publications, willingly or not otherwise, associated themselves with and gave their sympathies to the junior side, the Finns and Norwegians. Thus, Swedish achievements seemed more or less matter-of-course, while Finnish achievements had seemingly been attained under comparatively hard conditions.
It should be noted that, although the Nordic countries obtained a very positive image in the Latvian press in Tsarist Russia, and although geographical proximity or parallels in cultural life with the lands populated by Latvians were emphasised in these publications, none of these articles suggest that the Latvian-populated lands belong to a united Nordic area in a geographical, cultural, economic or historical sense (for more details, see: ??erbinskis V. Sweden and Finland in Latvian Newspapers during the Late 19th and Early 20th Century. In Itämeren itälaidalla II. Rajat ja integraatio Fenno-baltian historiassa. K. Alenius, A. Honkala, S. Wunsch (toim.). Rovaniemi, 2009. 69-77.).
Another research period I focussed on of the most important issues which were covered by Latvian newspapers regarding Nordic countries - neutrality. Generally Nordic countries in Latvia were regarded as exemplary in many ways. Traditionally positive image of Scandinavian countries included also neutrality element: Scandinavians were democratic, liberal, peaceful - and - neutral. Although understanding of the neutrality was unclear and borders of this phenomenon were vague, in general neutrality first of all meant nonintervention.
Neutral Nordic states in Latvian mass media were seen as small countries willing to cooperate as close as possible. Non-alignment to any political block was regarded as a Nordic choice but in the same time it seems existence of bilateral or multilateral alliences never would question self-declared principles of neutrality. Facing diminishing role of the League of Nations, Nordic states chose to defend themselves. Although abandonment of previously accepted principles of collective security might be regarded negatively, instead Nordic countries kept their positive image, Nordic neutrality principles were described as rational, pragmatic and probably worth to follow. Latvian Mass media cautiosly followed any signs signalling change in Nordic foreign policy and possible rapprochement with Baltic.
More generalizing lines are included within larger specific? analysis of the Sweden's image in Latvian nespapars and magazines from 19. century to the 1940. In various periods, along with the development of the Latvian press, the quantity and content of articles on Sweden has changed. Thus, in the descriptions of King Oscar II's visit in 1875, the image of Sweden is very ill-defined and is hard to discern from the content of the publications, and the reflection of the visit by Gustav V more than 50 years later differs cardinally, because of the extensive and diverse information. Overall, looking at this long period, we may conclude that Sweden obtained considerable publicity in the Latvian press, although comparatively less than the neighbouring countries or the great European powers.
Already in the period up to 1917, the political image of Sweden incorporated certain particularly significant elements: the issue of neutrality, the monarchy and the country's democratic system. The Latvian press viewed Swedish neutrality as a logical, well-founded choice. The monarchy and democracy were understood as cornerstones of Swedish statehood. It is characteristic that already at the time of the visit by Oscar II, a very positive image of the king dominated in the publications, leaving in the background the description of Sweden itself.
There was something of a turning-point in the country's political image during the time of independent Latvia. By that time, the press was in the majority of cases presenting a much more rational picture of developments, not excluding the possibility that these traditions (the monarchy, the democratic and liberal political culture) might change. Overall, in the 1920s and 30s, Sweden's political image in Latvia retained its previous emphases. However, there are certain differences in terms of how events are reflected, a consequence of the development of democratic conditions in Latvia. Within the broad spectrum of political publications, the role of parliament and political parties in the country is presented from somewhat different angles. In the social democratic press, particularly after the Social Democrats' electoral success, Sweden comes across as a markedly social democratic, even 'red', country. At the same time, right-wing publications emphasise Sweden's role in the cultural history of the region and Swedish culture as an example for the Latvians, to some degree playing down the Social Democrats' success in Sweden. As a result, the image created by the left in Latvia does not include any particularly negative traits. For example, during the course of the 1929 royal visit and before that, the monarchy is described in a very restrained manner, but with a degree of respect uncharacteristic of the left wing of the Latvian Social Democrats. The right-wing publications, for their part, recognise with satisfaction that in Sweden even the Social Democrats give serious attention to issues of national defence.
In the second half of the 1930s, domestic policy issues recede into the background in the image of Sweden as it appears in the Latvian press. In the publications of the early 20th century the question of Swedish neutrality is frequently analysed in the light of factors relating to Swedish culture and history, but in the second half of the 1930s the relations between countries and international organisations predominate, the factors of culture, mentality and ethnic kinship becoming irrelevant. In both cases, for the Latvian press Sweden is the most influential Nordic Country, determining to a large degree the tone of neutrality policy at a regional level.
How is Sweden viewed within the Nordic context? The Nordic Countries appear in the papers as a united political group only starting with the eve of the First World War. Although kinship in terms of culture, history and language has always served as a unifying factor, the publications often reveal disagreements among these states. During the First World War, the Latvian reader could have obtained the impression that the interests of Sweden differed markedly from those of Norway and Denmark. However, the leading role of Sweden in the Nordic group is always emphasised. It has to be admitted that the group of the Nordic Countries certainly had a smaller role in the Latvian press than the separate image of Sweden (or Finland). Prior to Latvia's independence, there was virtually no mention of parallels and common episodes in Latvian and Swedish history, culture or politics. Later, in the 1920s and 30s, the common history, Protestant culture and geopolitical stability encouraged current affairs writers to identify a link with Sweden. The Nordic Countries were mainly discussed in the frame of the analysis of international politics. Norway and Denmark remained relatively unfamiliar to Latvians, in the absence of the economic, historical or political pre-conditions, and these countries quite evidently had little interest in Latvia.
The construction of the political image of Sweden in the press also tells us about the identity of the Latvians themselves. The newspapers of the Tsarist period write about the 'little country of Sweden', while in the texts of the 1920s and 30s there is frequently even mention of 'Sweden as a great power'. From the perspective of Russia, Sweden and its political influence really were small. On the other hand, from the perspective of independent Latvia, Sweden could be regarded almost as a great power within the Baltic Sea region, generally also viewed by Latvians in political terms as an example to follow. The material analysed in this study permits the conclusion that the possibility of Latvia joining, drawing closer to or becoming one of the Nordic Countries was regarded as realistic only by fairly small but active section of society. One of the few cases when Latvia was expressly urged to follow the Swedish example in various fields and to strive for rapprochement with the Nordic Countries was the first half of 1929. At this time, the major right-wing newspaper Latvis embarked on a strong campaign to acquaint its readers with Sweden and promote Sweden as a positive example for Latvia, with the aim of stimulating a process of rapprochement with the Nordic Countries. However, the numerous major publications on this subject in Latvis had no follow-up or real basis in foreign policy. It should also be noted that the most energetic advocates of Latvian-Swedish and Latvian-Nordic unity came from a restricted circle of intellectuals, academics and politicians. At the same time, in spite of the absence of positive indications in the press regarding a wish on the part of Latvians to join the Nordic Countries, the political image of Sweden in the newspapers was unequivocally positive.
Any new research problems? Contribution to the new research problems. Project has generated new research problems which are related to the various fields - like history of Latvian identity, history of the mass media technics and international relations. Throughout description and analysis of how Latvians through mass media perceived Nordic countries, their community as a whole, assisted understanding of the political, diplomatic, cultural, economical relations of Latvia and Nordic from the historical perspective. Popular images often have strong impact on peoples, authorities and policy makers, thus creating important developments in Latvian and Nordic relations history. Project was contribution to the understanding of how Latvians perceived themselves. Regarding international relations, Latvian-Nordic bilateral relations, of great importance here is key-word "regionalism" - early ideas of regionalism and "looking for proper" region created substantial part of Latvian foreign policy based discourse during 20th century.
Spin off effects. Project has generated at least two spin-off effects. First of all, collaboration with Tartu based group of Nordic Spaces grant holders appeared fruituf resulting in joint publication and considering my input, Latvian perspective and understanding of the Nordic from Riga added to the analysis of the regionalism problems in Baltic sea area. Breda military history conference in 2008 resulted into creation of the group for the research of the year 1939 in Baltic area, organized by Centre for Military History, Royal Danish Defence College, Copenhagen. My participation added image studies dimension and Latvian-Nordic aspect to the research of this multi-dimensional problem.
Co-operation with other Nordic Spaces projects and with other researchers or research teams. Most benefitial co-operation took place with the above mentioned Tartu group whose members were already personally quite well known to me and more importantly - aims of their Project coincided very much with the tasks and goals of my research Project althoguh metodologically different approach was used. Meetings of the whole group of grant holders certainly generated more or less close co-operation with the members of other groups. As the one of them I could mention Peter Stadius, according to whose support I visited another more specific seminary on Nordic image in Helsinki in 2009 September. All in all due to the efficient managment by Dr. Torbjorn Eng, co-operation with the other teams was always encouraged and supported.
Complementary funding. There was no complementary funding for the Project.
Economical accounts. Will be submitted in May 2010 (after last conference in April will take place). There were no major divergences carrying out tasks within the budget.
Lessons for the future. Original application with the too broad theme was too optimistic scenario. Lesson for future - to keep within chronological and other limits already from the submission of application.