A Reflection on History

Accompanying Route 91 towards Narva Joesuu one can see many memorials and cemeteries that commemorate different peoples and time periods that this region has seen. Between the trees, the shrubs, and green that surround the highway lies the Narva Garrison Cemetery. Across the street of the cemetery quietly flows the Narva river: like glass the river reflects its banks, the two countries it connects and divides. 

Surrounding the cemetery are cement pillars that are separated from each other by metal fencing. This barrier surrounds the entirety of the cemetery allowing for only one entrance point. The gravel path guides whoever enters to a tall concrete monument honoring the young men who fought for Estonia’s independence following the First World War. The sculpture on top of the monument depicts mothers, wife’s, siblings embracing their loved one’s sacrifice to their nation. Ominous and mute, the sculpture does not seek to glorify these men, but rather to honor that these men gave all. The cemetery’s age shows in the tombstones are crosses that indicate the placement of graves; many of these crosses are shells of their former self: reduced and showing the effects of time. In the right corner of the cemetery stand a few crosses that are still intact but are rusted with much of the text illegible. 

Across the street from the Narva Garrison cemetery stands a small hill with a large cross conquering its top. This hill and cross is surrounded by large trees that dot the shoreline along the Narva river; such trees can also be seen across on the Russian side of the river. This hill and cross stands as a memorial to those killed during the Battle of Narva in 1700; a battle which occurred more than 300 years ago. 

Finally, moving along route 91 closer to the city of Narva itself one will find a Russian military cemetery dedicated to the soldiers of the Red Army who fell in battle during the Estonian war of Independence. Their graves are marked with orthodox crosses with some occasionally sporting a small star on the grave. In this same spot lies a mass grave dedicated to the victims of Soviet repression following the Second World War. A sign stands with a long list of the unfortunate victims. 

It is clear that the presence of these varied burial grounds signify that Narva, and the surrounding area of Ida-Viru, is hallowed ground. Ground where thousands of soldiers marched, sang, fought, and died. Ground where great conglomerations of men gathered not for peace and joy but for belligerence and anger. These monuments serve as a continual reminder of the past, that the past is never past, that it is not as far away as we imagine. The horrors of the wars now and before still stand and are as real as the crosses that mark the graves of these men. 

To me it is fascinating to see these sights and analyze the history of these regions. Narva, and Estonia as a whole, have suffered greatly through the centuries. But this sorrow fact does not weaken the resolve of the people on the ground who continually choose to look forward toward the future.