Estonian Students' Society
Encyclopedia
Estonian Students' Society is the largest and oldest all-male academical student
society in Estonia
, which is similar to Baltic German student corporations
(should not be confused with American college fraternities). It was founded in 1870 at the University of Tartu
. It has over 800 members in Estonia and abroad.
, Gustav Treffner, Hugo Treffner
, Martin Wühner, Jakob Hurt
, Wilhelm Eisenschmidt ja Johann Voldemar Jannsen
. They gathered to read the Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg
. This was called the first "Kalevipoeg evening". These men decided to continue gatherings in the same form. This decision led to the founding of the Estonian Students' Society, which became the first ethnic Estonian student fraternity.
The name "Estonian Students' Society" came into use in 1883 when the organisation was registered with the University of Tartu as an academic-cultural society. This was also the first legal registration of the society.
In 1889, the society began to publish journals (Est: albumid), which consisted of scientific articles, essays and belletristic texts.
and was accepted by other corporations. The establishment of a corporation was stopped by the Russian official Nikolai Lavrovski, who was the head of the Riga Educational District. This was the last big attempt to establish the Estonian Students' Society as a Corporation.
Later attempts ended with the split of members and founding of the corporations Fraternitas Estica
in 1907 and Sakala
in 1909, which were formed in frank imitation of the Baltic German corporations.
A new building was completed in 1902 after the design of Georg Hellat
, one of the first professional Estonian architects, who borrows from art deco
and national romanticist styles in his drawings. The blessing ceremony took place on 10–11 September 1902.
The organisation was modelled after the Baltic German corporations and their traditions, but the beginning of the 20th century saw a time of change. Some traditions like compulsory fencing lessons, which were peculiar to the corporations, were abandoned in September 1904.
Estonian Students' Society was also made voluntary for its members, following the Baltic German corporations' general code of conduct (Allgemeiner Comment).
, the flag was blessed on 4 June 1884 in Otepää
.
The flag gained more national importance at the beginning of the 20th century. The provisional Government of the Republic of Estonia declared the blue-black-white tricolour the official Estonian National Flag
on 21 November 1918. Though this decision cannot be found in "Riigi Teataja
" (State Gazette), it can be considered as legal assessment of the existing situation.
The first original flag is still in possession of the Estonian Students' Society and is preserved in the Estonian National Museum
. The flag was publicly displayed at the Church of Otepää during the 120th anniversary of the flag's blessing in June 2004 and during the 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Pärnu
in February, 2008.
There is a white open book on the upper left field of the shield. The book's title is Carpe diem
, meaning "Seize the day", which can be considered as the guiding principle of the fraternity.
However, the motto is: Fortiter in re suaviter in modo
, meaning "Gentle in manner, resolute in execution." It is written as acronyms "F.I.R" on the left and "S.I.M." on right side of the corona.
” (Nationes) Etelä-Pohjalainen Osakunta
and Pohjois-Pohjalainen Osakunta
of the University of Helsinki
. This was the first agreement, concluded between an Estonian and Finnish student organisations.
In 1937, an agreement with the student society Austrums of the University of Riga, Latvia
, followed. In 1991, a further agreement was concluded with the Finnish-Swedish "Nation" Vasa Nation
of the University of Helsinki. Estonian Students Society and its Finnish partner organisations exchange visiting students.
were also accepted. This led to the founding of the Tallinn
Chapter for undergraduates, i.e. active members. An alumni chapter in Tallinn was established in 1921. From 1945, various chapters of the Estonian Students Society were formed abroad by expatriate members and began their activities in Sweden
, Germany
, Australia
, the United Kingdom
, Canada
, the United States
and Argentina
.
Present active chapters are:
Chapters of the Estonian Students Society overseas accept students from different universities and higher educational institutions.
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
society in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, which is similar to Baltic German student corporations
Corporation (university)
Corporation refers to different kinds of student organizations worldwide.Generally, universities in the various European countries have student organizations called corporations. The name is derived from the Latin corporatio meaning a body or group...
(should not be confused with American college fraternities). It was founded in 1870 at the University of Tartu
University of Tartu
The University of Tartu is a classical university in the city of Tartu, Estonia. University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia; it is the biggest and highest-ranked university in Estonia...
. It has over 800 members in Estonia and abroad.
Founding
The Estonian Students' Society was founded on 7 April 1870 (26 March 1870 according to the old calendar) by five undergraduate students and three Estonian intellectuals: Andreas Kurrikoff, Heinrich RosenthalHeinrich Rosenthal
Heinrich Rosenthal was an Estonian nationalist leader, doctor and author.He was a founder of the Estonian Students' Society in 1870 while a student at the University of Tartu...
, Gustav Treffner, Hugo Treffner
Hugo Treffner
Hugo Hermann Fürchtegott Treffner was the founder and first director of the Hugo Treffner Gymnasium in Tartu, Livonia, Russian Empire, and an important figure in the Estonian national awakening.- Biography :...
, Martin Wühner, Jakob Hurt
Jakob Hurt
Jakob Hurt was a notable Estonian folklorist, theologist, and linguist. With respect to the latter, he is perhaps best known for his dissertation on "pure" -ne stem nouns...
, Wilhelm Eisenschmidt ja Johann Voldemar Jannsen
Johann Voldemar Jannsen
Johann Voldemar Jannsen was an Estonian journalist and poet active in Livonia....
. They gathered to read the Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg
Kalevipoeg
Kalevipoeg is an epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald held to be the Estonian national epic.- Origins : There existed an oral tradition within Ancient Estonia of legends explaining the origin of the world...
. This was called the first "Kalevipoeg evening". These men decided to continue gatherings in the same form. This decision led to the founding of the Estonian Students' Society, which became the first ethnic Estonian student fraternity.
The 1880s
In 1882 the society tried to establish itself as corporation Vironia, according to the model of Baltic German student corporations, but was rejected by them.The name "Estonian Students' Society" came into use in 1883 when the organisation was registered with the University of Tartu as an academic-cultural society. This was also the first legal registration of the society.
In 1889, the society began to publish journals (Est: albumid), which consisted of scientific articles, essays and belletristic texts.
Fraternitas Viliensis (1890)
In 1890, the fraternity tried to establish itself as corporation Fraternitas Viliensis according to the model of Baltic German student corporationsCorporation (university)
Corporation refers to different kinds of student organizations worldwide.Generally, universities in the various European countries have student organizations called corporations. The name is derived from the Latin corporatio meaning a body or group...
and was accepted by other corporations. The establishment of a corporation was stopped by the Russian official Nikolai Lavrovski, who was the head of the Riga Educational District. This was the last big attempt to establish the Estonian Students' Society as a Corporation.
Later attempts ended with the split of members and founding of the corporations Fraternitas Estica
Fraternitas Estica
Fraternitas Estica is an all-male academic corporation at the University of Tartu, Estonia. It was founded in 1907.-External links:...
in 1907 and Sakala
Sakala (academic corporation)
Korp! Sakala is a fraternal organization of Estonian higher education students. It was established at the University of Tartu on November 14, 1909....
in 1909, which were formed in frank imitation of the Baltic German corporations.
Early 20th century
Georg Hellat
Georg Hellat was an Estonian architect.His most known masterpiece is the building of the of Estonian Students' Society in Tartu ....
, one of the first professional Estonian architects, who borrows from art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
and national romanticist styles in his drawings. The blessing ceremony took place on 10–11 September 1902.
The organisation was modelled after the Baltic German corporations and their traditions, but the beginning of the 20th century saw a time of change. Some traditions like compulsory fencing lessons, which were peculiar to the corporations, were abandoned in September 1904.
Estonian Students' Society was also made voluntary for its members, following the Baltic German corporations' general code of conduct (Allgemeiner Comment).
In the Estonian War of Independence (1918–1920)
On 24 November 1918 the Estonian Students' Society decided to join in corpore the Estonian military forces to fight in the Estonian War of Independence. 13 members died and 63 students and alumni were awarded with the Cross of Liberty.During Estonian independence (1920–1940)
In 1925 Johan Kõpp's "Eesti Üliõpilaste Seltsi ajalugu I.1870–1905" (History of the Estonian Students' Society I.1870–1905) was published. The house was enlarged in 1930 according to the design of the architect Artur Kirsipuu.Flag
In 1881, the fraternity decided to adopt blue, black and white as its colours. The first blue-black-white flag was made in the spring of 1884. Since appearances with this flag were banned in TartuTartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, the flag was blessed on 4 June 1884 in Otepää
Otepää
Otepää is a town in Valga County, southern Estonia, it's the administrative centre of Otepää Parish. Town has a population of 2,189 . Otepää is a popular skiing resort, popularly known as the "winter capital" of Estonia...
.
The flag gained more national importance at the beginning of the 20th century. The provisional Government of the Republic of Estonia declared the blue-black-white tricolour the official Estonian National Flag
Flag of Estonia
The national flag of Estonia is a tricolour featuring three equal horizontal bands of blue , black, and white. The normal size is 105 × 165 cm...
on 21 November 1918. Though this decision cannot be found in "Riigi Teataja
Riigi Teataja
Riigi Teataja is a public journal of the Republic of Estonia. The first issue was published in 27 November 1918.Since 1 June 2002, Riigi Teataja has been published in electronic form, as Elektrooniline Riigi Teataja, in parallel with the paper version....
" (State Gazette), it can be considered as legal assessment of the existing situation.
The first original flag is still in possession of the Estonian Students' Society and is preserved in the Estonian National Museum
Estonian National Museum
The Estonian National Museum founded 1909 in Tartu is a museum devoted to folklorist Jakob Hurt's heritage, to Estonian ethnography and folk art...
. The flag was publicly displayed at the Church of Otepää during the 120th anniversary of the flag's blessing in June 2004 and during the 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Pärnu
Pärnu
Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga...
in February, 2008.
Coat of Arms
The present coat of arms was developed in 1890, when the fraternity tried to establish itself as Corporation Fraternitas Viliensis. It consists of three flags on each side, a knight's helmet, a shield and an oak corona.There is a white open book on the upper left field of the shield. The book's title is Carpe diem
Carpe diem
Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace that has become an aphorism. It is popularly translated as "seize the day"...
, meaning "Seize the day", which can be considered as the guiding principle of the fraternity.
However, the motto is: Fortiter in re suaviter in modo
Fortiter in re suaviter in modo
Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo or Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re is a Latin phrase, meaning "Resolute in execution, gentle in manner"....
, meaning "Gentle in manner, resolute in execution." It is written as acronyms "F.I.R" on the left and "S.I.M." on right side of the corona.
Historical ties
Estonian Students Society has partnership agreements with four foreign student organisations. In 1928, the Estonian Students Society concluded an agreement with the Finnish “NationsNation (university)
Student nations or simply nations are regional corporations of students at a university. Once widespread across Europe in medieval times, they are now largely restricted to the ancient universities of Sweden and Finland...
” (Nationes) Etelä-Pohjalainen Osakunta
Etelä-Pohjalainen Osakunta
Etelä-Pohjalainen Osakunta is one of the 15 student nations at the University of Helsinki, Finnish-speaking and established in 1908....
and Pohjois-Pohjalainen Osakunta
Pohjois-Pohjalainen Osakunta
Pohjois-Pohjalainen Osakunta is one of the 15 student nations at the University of Helsinki, Finnish-speaking and established in 1907....
of the University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available...
. This was the first agreement, concluded between an Estonian and Finnish student organisations.
In 1937, an agreement with the student society Austrums of the University of Riga, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, followed. In 1991, a further agreement was concluded with the Finnish-Swedish "Nation" Vasa Nation
Vasa nation
Vasa nation is one of the 15 student nations at the University of Helsinki, Swedish-speaking and established in 1908....
of the University of Helsinki. Estonian Students Society and its Finnish partner organisations exchange visiting students.
Structure
The organisation consists of two legal bodies:- Estonian Students' Society, founded in 1870 and registered with the University of Tartu on the 30 December 1988, and with Tartu Municipal Government;
- Alumni Association of the Estonian Students' Society, founded in 1884 and registered pursuant to the Non-profit Associations Act of the Republic of Estonia on the 8 March 1995 (Reg. no 80055073).
Chapters
Up to 1936, all members of the Estonian Students Society were without exception students of the University of Tartu. From 1936, students of Tallinn University of TechnologyTallinn University of Technology
Tallinn University of Technology is the only university of technology in Estonia, and one of the three most important institutions of higher education in Estonia generally. It is located in the capital city of Tallinn, Estonia...
were also accepted. This led to the founding of the Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
Chapter for undergraduates, i.e. active members. An alumni chapter in Tallinn was established in 1921. From 1945, various chapters of the Estonian Students Society were formed abroad by expatriate members and began their activities in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Present active chapters are:
- Tallinn Chapter
- Pärnu Chapter
- Baltimore-Washington Chapter
- California Chapter
- Göteborg Chapter
- Stockholm Chapter
- Toronto Chapter
- Brussels Chapter
Chapters of the Estonian Students Society overseas accept students from different universities and higher educational institutions.