Writing on the limits of the Estonian diaspora: belonging, gender, and sexuality in Heljo Liitoja's autobiographies. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taavetti, Riikka
• Is Part Of: Journal of Baltic studies. Volume 52:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Autobiography -- belonging -- nationality -- gender -- sexuality -- Estonia -- Toronto; Baltic States -- Periodicals; 947.9005
• DOI: 10.1080/01629778.2020.1850487
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0162-9778

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article analyzes two autobiographies of the Estonian-Canadian Heljo Liitoja (1923 − 2010) as participation in the post-Soviet national reconstruction of Estonia. The article argues that some of Liitoja's experiences, such as her connection to the Toronto gay and lesbian community and the controversies within the Estonian diaspora, could not be addressed in an autobiography framed within an Estonian life story writing competition. The article suggests that Liitoja's autobiographical book that discussed these topics was able to stretch the limits of the Estonian diaspora narrative.