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Perception and Potential of 1944–1991 Built and Cultural Heritage in Estonia

Dear Respondent,

My name is Jiří Koplík, and I am conducting a research project for my Master’s thesis in Social Geography at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University (Brno, Czechia), focusing on socialist heritage and its contemporary role in tourism.

As part of my case study on Estonia, I kindly request your participation in this brief online questionnaire. It explores how architectural and historical monuments from the 1944–1991 period are perceived today and what potential they hold for regional tourism development.

Time required: 7–10 minutes.

All responses are strictly confidential, completely anonymous, and will be processed solely for academic purposes within this study.

Thank you very much for your time and for contributing to this geographical research!

Secured
Survio
Perception and Potential of 1944–1991 Built and Cultural Heritage in Estonia

1. I consider monuments and buildings from the Soviet era (e.g., buildings, memorials, statues, museums) to be a natural part of Estonian cities and municipalities.

Select one answer

2. When you think about the architecture built in Estonia between 1944 and 1991, which of the following attributes come to your mind?

(Select all that apply)

3. These monuments and sites evoke emotions in me that are:

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3.1 If there are specific sites or buildings in Estonia that evoke these emotions in you the most, please feel free to name them:

4. In general, I consider the aesthetic and architectural value of Soviet-era buildings to be high.

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5. I feel a certain form of nostalgia towards these places.

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6. These objects and structures should be preserved for future generations.

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Perception and Potential of 1944–1991 Built and Cultural Heritage in Estonia

7. The state or local tourism boards should more actively promote Soviet-era monuments and sites as a tourism product.

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8. Which forms of presentation and promotion of socialist heritage do you consider appropriate?

(Select all that apply)

9. Which way of utilizing Soviet-era buildings do you consider to be the most beneficial?

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10. I believe that Soviet-era monuments represent one of the primary reasons why foreign tourists visit Estonia.

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11. Local residents show more interest in these monuments today than they did in the past (e.g., through museum visits, guided tours).

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12. The maintenance and renovation of Soviet-era buildings should be funded from public budgets in the same way as other historical monuments.

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13. Information boards at these sites sufficiently explain the historical context, including the negative aspects of the regime (e.g., political repressions).

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14. In your opinion, how high is the interest of the following groups in visiting Soviet-era monuments and sites in Estonia?

(Please rate the level of interest for each group: 1 = Very low, 5 = Very high)
Perception and Potential of 1944–1991 Built and Cultural Heritage in Estonia

15. The presence of Soviet-era monuments disrupts contemporary Estonian identity.

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16. Soviet symbols (e.g., red stars, sickles and hammers, statues) should be completely removed from public spaces.

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17. Monuments commemorating the Soviet period should be relocated and preserved exclusively within museums.

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18. Tourism focused on socialist heritage helps the younger generation to better understand past history.

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19. Tourism focused on socialist heritage helps foreign visitors to better understand past history.

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Perception and Potential of 1944–1991 Built and Cultural Heritage in Estonia

20. Based on the photos provided, how would you rate the tourism potential of each of these Estonian post-war / Soviet-era landmarks?

(Please rate the potential of each landmark for tourism on a scale from 1 = Very low to 5 = Very high)
question image

21. Municipalities with distinct socialist-era architecture (e.g., Narva, Sillamäe) should build their official tourism brand around this heritage.

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22. Overall, I evaluate the current state of preservation and maintenance of these monuments in Estonia as sufficient.

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Perception and Potential of 1944–1991 Built and Cultural Heritage in Estonia

Your age

What is your mother tongue / first language?

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What is your current region of residence in Estonia?

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What is your highest level of completed education?

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Do you have any additional comments or notes regarding the topic of this questionnaire?

(Optional)