Nostalgia for Soviet Estonia: Discursive Elements of Shared Memory in the Facebook Group “Sovetskaia Estoniia – Eesti NSV"

Kapitolina Fedorova; Natalia Tšuikina

Authors

Kapitolina Fedorova Tallinn University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1838-3217
Natalia Tšuikina Tallinn University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0362-1457

Keywords:

nostalgic discourse, online social groups, group identity, social media, memory studies, Estonia

Abstract

This paper explores the role of online platforms in shaping a nostalgic discourse around Estonia’s Soviet past, focusing on the Facebook group “Советская Эстония – Eesti NSV” (Soviet Estonia). Despite official condemnation of the Soviet legacy, this bilingual Russian-Estonian group fosters a positive representation of the era through shared photos and personal memories. Utilizing sociolinguistic methods, the study examines posts and comment threads, unveiling discursive mechanisms employed to reinforce group identity and leverage nostalgia. Members engage in discussions that not only counter the official narrative regarding the past but also extend to contemporary political issues. The research highlights the impact of digital tools and social media in facilitating the construction of collective memory and challenging dominant historical perspectives.

DOI: 10.14712/23363231.2023.16