Estonian seafarers on Norwegian (free) merchant ships in Allied service during the Second World War
6.09.2026 – 30.04.2027
Fat Margaret
The exhibition War Won, Homeland Lost brings a little-known chapter of Estonian maritime and wartime history to our collective memory for the first time. Years of collaboration between Estonian and Norwegian historians – drawing extensively on the research and archives of the Norwegian Centre for the History of Seafarers at War – have identified 357 Estonian seafarers who served aboard Norwegian free merchant ships in Allied service during World War II. Their contribution to the Allied victory was both significant and hard-won. Their stories speak of courage, fear, loss, and survival.
Drawing on this international research and cooperation, the Estonian Maritime Museum presents visitors with rare photographs, biographies, archival materials and personal belongings, including medals awarded to Estonian seafarer Arseni Kepnik by the King of Norway in recognition of his wartime service.
The exhibition sheds new light on the shared history of Estonia and Norway and reminds us of the vital contribution made by small nations to the defence of the free world. In today’s uncertain times, the stories of these seafarers resonate with renewed relevance and power.
This is an exhibition about memory, bravery, and sacrifice – and about the people whose contribution to the Allied war effort must not be forgotten.
TEAM
Curators: Peep Pillak, Hege Boman Grundekjøn
Archive Consultant: Heini Vilbiks
The Estonian Maritime Museum Team
Urmas Dresen – Member of the Board
Evelyn Silmet – Curator-Collection manager
Teele Siig – Exhibition project manager
Iris Tomson – Marketing project manager
Laura Maide – Communication manager
Partners
Aadam Kaarma – Exhibition design
Jakob Laulik, Interlex, Eiffel teksti- ja tõlkebüroo, Hille Saluäär – Language editing and translations
Kinokompanii – Video editing
Exhibits: Eesti Meremuuseum, Nõmme Muuseum
Special thanks to
Bjørn Tore Rosendahl (ARKIVET, Centre for the History of Seafarers at War); Ole Jørgen Abrahamsen (ARKIVET, Krigsseilerregisteret); Lauri Bambus; Katrin Ehrlich (Nõmme Muuseum); Vallo Kelmsaar; Linda Canaris.
Arto Oll, Tõnis Veltman, Valter Vaht, Helina Torv, Meeli-Heli Lepna, Oksana Leontjeva ja teised kolleegid meremuuseumist.
Sources of archival materials
SA Eesti Meremuuseum; Rahvusarhiiv; ERR Arhiiv “Kirjutamata memuaare”, saate autor Lembit Lauri, salvestatud 28.03.1999; Anne Velliste erakogu; erakogud; Bergeni Meremuuseum
Videos
“War Sailors – With Honour Intact” – Eilert Munch Lund
“D/S Begonia Flåm” – Green Water Studio in cooperation with Pro Diver Norge AS
Supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia