One way in which culture interacts with its past is via the mediation of artistic texts. Past events, which play a crucial role in the self-awareness of a culture, are re-told using different cultural languages. The story of some past time can simultaneously be captured by novels, films, theatrical performances, and paintings.

Every new re-telling adds something to the story being told. The story is also influenced by the cultural language used in the telling, as well as the viewpoint of the piece’s author. Furthermore, every story is also dependent on the context in which it was created.

In this section, we will take a look at how The Little Comrade has reached contemporary Estonia from Stalin’s era, and we will reflect on why this story is important for the Estonian people.