Tag #118306 - Interview #78256 (Cilja Laud)

In 1948, when campaigns against cosmopolitans [20] began in the Soviet Union, we did not have them, but we had the same collectivization [21], as in the USSR of the 1930s. Estonian peasants were compelled to join kolkhozes [22]. They did not think that it was merely impossible for Estonians. They had a different mentality - they were used to live out of town at their own farmsteads and have their own husbandry. Though the land was very poor and stony in Estonia, the crops were high as Estonians are hard working people and put their heart and soul in work. People did not want to get united in one kolkhoz as it was strange for them.

Then Estonia started another deportation. Peasants were exiled to Siberia only for their desire to be the hosts in their own land, and do what they were good at. Entire Estonian families were deported and farmsteads were forsaken at first, but soon new hosts appeared there. Then they also deported those who happened to come from the exile in 1941. Not only men, but young boys were exiled.