National partisans on the border of Latvia and Estonia
The route “National Partisans on the Border of Latvia and Estonia” introduces the heritage of World War II, the Soviet occupation and the Forest Brothers resistance movement in Vidzeme and Setum. The journey begins at Stompaku Bog and Alūksne Museum, continues with memorial sites and bunkers, including “Jumba” and the places where the Forest Brothers lived, as well as Metsavenna Talu, where you can experience the everyday life of the partisans. The route ends at Võru County Museum, providing a broader insight into the history of the region and the significance of the resistance movement in Baltic history.
What the tour includes
On this excursion, students will be able to get to know the military and resistance heritage of the Alūksne and Vērū area, where history is revealed both in museums and in nature. In the Alūksne Museum, they will be able to learn about the stories of the repression period and the “Feast of the Ages” exhibition, which helps to understand the everyday life of different eras and historical changes. Next, students will visit the national partisan memorial site “Jumba” bunker, where the fallen forest brothers and the fates of their families are remembered, as well as learn about the importance of the resistance movement during the Soviet occupation. Metsavenna Talu will provide an opportunity to look into the everyday life of the forest brothers, visiting the bunker and participating in interactive activities that allow you to better understand life in the forest and the conditions of survival. In the Nursi Museum, students will be able to see the layout of the bunker and learn about the lifestyle of the forest brothers, and in the Võru County Museum, they will learn about the history of the region, the Freedom Struggle and the national partisan movement, including a model of the bunker and its significance in the history of the resistance.