EESTI AJALOOTEADUS 21. SAJANDIL: SISSEJUHATUSEKS
HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN ESTONIA IN THE TWENTY­FIRST CENTURY: AN INTRODUCTION

Summary/Abstract: This is an introductory article for the special issue of Acta Historica Tallinnensia on historical studies in Estonia in the first two decades of the twenty first century. The main aim of the article is to provide a quantitative and descriptive overview of the development and organisation of Estonian historical research in the last decades. The article is divided into five main topics. First, the historical research is mapped from the perspective of researchers. An attempt is made to calculate the number of professional historians in Estonia, which is difficult both because of the lack of reliable statistical data and because of the difficulties in defining who can be considered a professional historian. However, it is proposed that there are up to 400 historians, widely defined, but less than a hundred who are actively engaged in research. In this context, the question of generation change is raised and examined on the basis of published Festschrifts. Then statistics about history students at Tartu and Tallinn Universities is provided over the last two decades and at three levels of study: BA, MA and PhD. The number of BA students in history has almost halved since 2012 as has the number of PhD students. Secondly, the institutional organisation of historical research is examined. As in the late Soviet period, historical studies have two main centres in Estonia: Tartu and Tallinn, more specifically the Institute of History and Archaeology at the University of Tartu and the Institute of History, Archaeology and Art History at Tallinn University. A new important research centre for contemporary history is the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory, established in 2008. Traditionally, historical archives have played a major role in historical research. By far the most important archival institution is the National Archives of Estonia (reestablished in 1999, reorganised in 2012). Especially in the context of medieval and early modern studies, Tallinn City Archives should also be mentioned. The third main institutional pillar of historical research is formed by the museums. There are currently 180 museums in Estonia, with 244 places to visit, and within these, 49 history and archaeology museums. Finally, the role of academic libraries in historical research is briefly dis¬cussed. Next to institutions, various associations have important roles in the field of historical studies. The main organisation of historians is the Estonian Academic Society of History (reestablished in 1999). But even more active and influential are the Estonian Association of Archivists (reestablished in 1989) and the Estonian Museum Association (established in 1988). There are in total about ten historical societies or associations in Estonia, in various branches of historical studies (from art history and archaeology to military and church history).

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