April 2 - August 22 2025
Why Estonia? The 30-year Journey from the USSR to e-Estonia
Despite a population of fewer than 1.5 million, Estonia has emerged as a global leader in e-governance. From ID cards and digital voting to online tax declarations and thriving tech startups, Estonia’s remarkable digital evolution is a testament to visionary decisions and strategic leadership.
This transformation wasn’t inevitable. After regaining independence in the early 1990s, Estonia faced the challenges of rebuilding after 50 years of Soviet occupation. The exhibit, a collaboration between the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom and Stanford Libraries, explores Estonia’s journey from its historical roots to its digital success, highlighting achievements and challenges along the way.
The exhibit runs from April 2 to August 22, 2025, in Green Library’s Hohbach Hall. This exhibit is free and open to the public. Learn more about visiting Stanford Libraries on the Libraries' website.
A full-color companion catalog will be available in print and digital formats. Digital copies will be available beginning March 24, 2025 with print copies to follow shortly. Request your copy.
Wed. April 2 | 4 PM - 6 PM
Former Estonian Government CIO Luukas Ilves and Andrew Grotto (CISAC) had an engaging conversation to celebrate the opening of the exhibit, followed by a tour led by Ilves.
Wed. May 7 | 12 PM - 1 PM
Join author Joel Burke for a book talk on Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution, offering unique insight into Estonia’s rapid rise as a tech and e-government powerhouse since the turn of the century. Registration is required.
Tues. April 15 | 4 PM - 6:30 PM
Join us for a talk by Aro Velmet (University of Southern California) on "The Information Revolution: How Estonian Cyberneticians Invented the Information Age in the Soviet Empire". The talk will be followed by a Q&A session and screening of the film, "Disco and Atomic War" (2009). Registration is required.