On 1–2 June this year, those interested in the history of naval warfare can learn more about how the Baltic Sea region prepared for a potential war during the time between the two world wars and discuss the current security here. This is an opportunity offered by a scientific conference hosted by the Estonian Maritime Museum in Tallinn.
‘It is of great importance for us to offer those interested the opportunity to delve deeper into the history of naval warfare between the two world wars and draw parallels with the current maritime security situation. We wish to hold this event in accordance with the best academic practices and with the goal of creating new fundamental knowledge. Last international conference, we discussed the opportunities of digitisation in the field of underwater cultural heritage; this year, we will focus on naval warfare and its future perspectives instead,’ said Hele Kiimann, Head of Research at the Estonian Maritime Museum.
On the first day of the conference, which will be held in Tallinn, presentations will be given by naval warfare historians from Finland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. On the second day, a discussion panel with naval officers will take place on the current situation in the Baltic Sea region and possible development strategies.
‘We deem it important to shed light on the establishment of maritime security in the Baltic Sea Region. These decisions and innovations from a century ago still affect us in the present day and in the future. By looking at these aspects together, we will create a holistic overview of this obscure and inaccessible era in warfare and maritime history,’ said Arto Oll (PhD), researcher on naval warfare at the Estonian Maritime Museum.
The conference is entitled ‘The navies of the Baltic Sea Region during the Interwar Period: development of fleets, organizations and naval strategies 1918-1939’. The event will be opened by Commodore Jüri Saska, the Commander of the Estonian Navy. The first day of the conference will be accompanied with a dinner at the seaplane hangar of the Seaplane Harbour.
It is possible to follow to the presentations and ask questions in Estonian as well as English, both in person and on the web. The detailed conference schedule can be found at https://meremuuseum.ee/en/navalhistoryconference/, where you can also register to the event until 31 May.
The International Conference of the Maritime Museum is supported by the Estonian War Museum.
