Featuring: A group of artists from the Baltic countries.
Estonian authors: Mati Hiis, Peeter Langovits, (Unknown artist by the Tallinn Museum of Photography)
Latvian authors: Aivars Liepins
Lithuanian authors: Romualdas Požerskis, Vytautas Daraškevicius.
BALTIC WAY as SOFT RESISTANCE
1989-2025
The Baltic Way as Soft Resistance, curated by Temuri Hvingija at Okapi Gallery, explores the 1989 Baltic Way. This peaceful protest saw two million Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians form a 600km human chain for independence. The exhibition examines its geopolitical, psychological, and cultural impact, highlighting freedom, dignity, and heritage through photography by Langovits, Künnap, Hiis, and archives. Tallinn commemorated its 35th anniversary in 2024 across venues like Baltic Station (until April 2025), Telliskivi, OKAPI, and Vabamu, emphasizing unity and resilience. Documentary photos showcase the Baltic nations’ awakenings and freedom aspirations, holding regional and global importance. The exhibition encourages reflection on collective memory and self-determination, aiming for cultural understanding, especially with Americans, and historical learning. Parallels are drawn to Georgia’s December 2024 “Chain of Unity” for EU membership and elections, illustrating the enduring power of peaceful protest for freedom. The project commemorates a pivotal Baltic moment, reminding us of peaceful solidarity’s power in shaping societies valuing freedom and identity. It aims to share this story, fostering dialogue and reflection on freedom to prevent future mistakes. Georgia’s recent human chain echoes this peaceful resistance, offering hope beyond military conflict.
About the Artists
ESTONIA
Mati Hiis (b. 1946) has been a photographer since age seven, when he acquired his first Smena. He now uses a digital Canon, while most photos seen here were taken with a film camera. Since 1973, he has been a correspondent for the Õhtuleht newspaper and he has contributed to numerous sports photo albums. He has received awards from domestic and international photo contests since 1962, including Estonia’s Best Sports Photo Award in 2003 and 2007 and Best Nature Photo Award in 2004. His works have been displayed in Germany, Finland, and Estonia.
Peeter Langovits (b. 1948) is an Estonian photographer who graduated from the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute, Faculty of Chemistry, and worked as an engineer at the Estonian Telegraph Agency and Postime before pursuing a photography career. He has taken part in several exhibitions and competitions, and his photographs have been distributed by news agencies to the media and other publications, as well as being the subject of his own publications.
Estonian National Museum (ERM) & Tallinn City Museum
Unknown authors
LATVIA
Aivars Liepiņš (b. 1953) is a Latvian artist who independently learned the basics of photography. He has also studied in the Department of Journalism within the Faculty of Philology, University of Latvia. He has worked as a photographer for various press publications, was one of the founders of a photo-news agency, and co-authored many books and albums. His photographs have been published in Latvia and various publications abroad and exhibited in the Latvian National Art Museum and the Latvian Museum of Photography, among others.
LITHUANIA
Vytautas Daraškevičius (b. 1946) is a Lithuanian photographer and member of the Lithuanian Association of Photographers, who also worked at the Electrographic Research Institute. His photographic archive covers more than half a century of Lithuanian cultural heritage. It is this heritage that he considers to be a sign of the uniqueness of each nation and each people, and he not only participates in national celebrations as a photographer of the day, but also sings and dances along.
Romualdas Požerskis (b. 1951, Vilnius) is a Lithuanian photographer and a 1990 recipient of the Lithuanian National Prize. He attended Kaunas Polytechnic Institute from 1969 to 1975 and has been a member of the Lithuanian Union of Art Photographers since 1976. Požerskis was one of the photographers who captured the historic scenes on August 23, 1989, when over a million people linked arms across the Baltic states to demand independence from the Soviet Union. The photos were seen by many young people. “The Baltic Way, it seems, inspired them with ideas about freedom,” he said. Požerskis said he still receives letters from people who recognize themselves in his photos. He said he was most struck watching people from the villages, who took the opportunity to openly commemorate their loved ones who had died in Siberia. “For them it was one of the biggest celebrations—they thought about their lives, deportations [to Siberia], their killed relatives. It was one of the most amazing days,” he said.
Organizations
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OKAPI GALLERY
OKAPI GALLERY is an established contemporary art and design space, located in Tallinn’s historic Old Town. Founded in 2013 by NGO OKAPI, a dedicated nonprofit, it champions artistic expression and cultural dialogue. Initially focused on glass art and photography, the gallery now showcases diverse mixed media, including graphics. This evolution reflects OKAPI’s commitment to broad artistic practices and audience engagement.
NGO OKAPI actively supports artists through representation, exhibitions, art fairs, and public art projects, enriching local and international art scenes and fostering audience interaction. In 2023, the OKAPI Art Residency launched, offering international artists immersive experiences in Estonia’s inspiring environments, from Saaremaa’s serenity to Tallinn’s creative hubs. Participants access well-equipped photo-video and glass studios, culminating in a final exhibition at OKAPI GALLERY.
Located at Niguliste 2, OKAPI GALLERY is easily accessible, attracting art connoisseurs and casual visitors alike. Its consistent involvement in local and international events positions it as a vital cultural conduit, facilitating professional connections and creating new opportunities for community engagement within the vibrant art world.
BALTIC WAY – SOFT RESISTANCE
Featuring: Various Artists
Curated by: Temuri Hvingija
Locations
View Location Details Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
