Book dossier

The Russian second generation in Tallinn and Kohtla-Järve

by Raivo Vetik, Jelena Helemäe

Second-generation Russians face two major integration challenges in the Estonian cities of Tallinn and Kohtla-Järve. They are segregated from an Estonian language society whose historical background lies in the policies and social processes of the former Soviet Union. And, compared to their peers, they face an emerging disparity in social and economic opportunities. Such inequality comes largely as the result of newly formed, post-independence institutions, which incite protest among young Russians. With a potential to escalate into large-scale conflict, as exemplified by the Bronze Soldier crisis in April 2007, it is crucial to learn more about this dissatisfaction and the generation in whom it is found. As the second country report of the TIES Project (Towards the Integration of the European Second Generation), this volume sheds light on how various factors can impact integration and how actors can use socio-economic and cultural resources in their adaptation process - in Estonia and beyond.