Kistler-Ritso Estonian Foundation

Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom and its branch KGB Prison Cells are the largest active non-profit museum in Estonia. Vabamu’s mission is to educate the people of Estonia and its visitors about the recent past, sense the fragility of freedom, and advocate for justice and the rule of law. The museum was founded by Olga Kistler-Ritso, an Estonian-American refugee, in partnership with the Estonian government, to support her wish that Estonia never again be occupied by a foreign power. Vabamu was created by Kistler-Ritso Estonian Foundation and operates under the foundation. Vabamu's permanent exhibition “Freedom Without Borders” presents the recent history of Estonia during and after the Soviet and Nazi occupations and describes the story of Estonia’s restoration of independence. By recounting the story of the Estonian people from occupation to independence, Vabamu inspires people to maintain and stand up for their freedom. In addition to the exhibitions, Vabamu has a youth engagement program NOVA, an education initiative that aims to increase youth engagement in civic topics and empower active participation in Estonian society. Vabamu has also launched Global Conversations, a strand that combines all Vabamu’s international activities including long-term collaboration with Stanford University and a discussion series on freedom. Our aim is to keep Estonia globally connected so that we are never alone again!