Project Name and Number:
“The role of women during the deportations of 1941 and 1949” EK ID Nr. 101196490
Project Summary:
This project aims to strengthen the role of women and motherhood in the audio-visual
history of the Stalinist deportations that took place in 1941 and 1949 in various EU
member states.
Project Objectives and Activities:
The specific objectives of the project are:
- translate and publish an English version of the book “Mothers in Siberia”, which
explores the role of women and motherhood during deportations; - digitize archive materials that contain interviews and first-hand accounts of
deportation history specifically related to stories of women; - interview deportation victims on their experiences as women and mothers;
- produce a new documentary film which will include a special focus on the role of
women during deportations.
The book Mothers in Siberia has been translated into and published in English. Archival
materials concerning women’s experiences during deportations have been digitized.
New interviews have been conducted with victims of deportations and their
descendants. A documentary film about the role of women during the deportations is
being produced. Presentation events are being organized in Latvia and EU Member
States.
Project Partner:
The consortium partner of the project is the production company SIA “Red Dot Media”.
Red Dot Media is responsible for the digitization of archive materials related to the
project as well as technical support in the production of audiovisual materials.
Project Outcomes and Results:
The overall ambition of this project is to significantly expand the importance of women
and their role in the historical depiction of the deportations of 1941 and 1949. Since this
aspect of history has previously not been examined in the form of audio-visual materials
accessible to the public, the project will play a crucial role in improving the gender
sensitive portrayal of these atrocities. This will not only enable the deportation stories to
be told from a different perspective but will also assign specific importance to women
who were victims of these events.
Furthermore, the project will allow more women and mothers who are alive today to
empathize with these events, as well as contrast them with their own experiences and
current challenges to rule of law that countries in the EU are experiencing. It will also
allow Latvia to foster better connections with its diaspora members in other EU
countries, as well as ensure that this aspect of history is more likely to become a part of
historical research, educational curriculums, and narratives on fight for gender equality.
In the long-term, the foundation hopes that the project's activities will allow for better
commemoration of deportation victims and their stories, as well as contribute to more
frequent examination of history from the gender perspective.
Project Duration:
The project activities are being carried out across 2 years. From March 1st, 2025, until
March 1st, 2027.
Project Budget:
The budget of the project is 81 930,00 EUR
The project has received support from the Support activity “European Remembrance”
(call CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM) under the European Union programme “Citizens,
Equality, Rights and Values”.
The project is administrated and granted authority by the European Education and
Culture Executive Agency. Grant managed through EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those
of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union
or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the
European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
