Lauri Vahtre is an Estonian politician, historian, translator and writer.
Education and career
Lauri Vahtre graduated from Tartu Secondary School Nr 2 in 1978 and from Tartu University history department in 1984. From 1983 to 1985 he worked as a senior research fellow in the Estonian Open Air Museum, then continued his postgraduate studies. From 1988 to 1992 he worked as a senior researcher in the Institute of History of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, from 1989 to 1992 as a senior teacher at the Tartu University. As a historian, Lauri Vahtre is known as a populariser of history and a co-author of several schoolbooks. His research work has concentrated on the history of Estonian Bar Association and Soviet time mentality among other topics.
Political career
Lauri Vahtre joined politics during the Singing Revolution together with his university mate Mart Laar. Just before graduation Vahtre was expelled from the Tartu State University because of his patriotic views and activities, so he had to complete his studies as an extern. Together with Laar and other patriots they formed a political association, which in 1992 developed into a National Coalition Party "Pro Patria". Vahtre was a member of the Congress of Estonia and from 1991 to 1992 a member of the Constitutional Assembly. In 1992, as a result of the victory of Pro Patria in the national elections, Lauri Vahtre was elected member of the VII Riigikogu. He became one of the political leaders of the party and was re-elected to the parliament in 1995 and 1999. In 2003 the party faced a loss in the parliamentary election and Vahtre did not get elected. He returned to the parliament again in 2007 and became a member of the parliamentary Committee on Cultural Affairs as well as the National Heritage Association.
International activity
In the parliament Lauri Vahtre was a member of the Estonia-India Parliamentary Group as well as the Estonia-Croatia Parliamentary Group. He also belonged to the Taiwan and Tibet Support Groups. From 2001 to 2003 Lauri Vahtre was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He was a rapporteur on Moldova.
Eesti Advokatuuri ajalugu 1919–1994, Tallinn 2005,
Eesti rahva lugu, Ilo 2005,
Suur pettumus, Varrak 2002,
Eesti kultuuri ajalugu. Lühiülevaade, Virgela 2000,
Eestlase aeg, Varrak 2000,
Meenutusi kadunud maailmast, ehk, Keskkoolist, ülikoolist, matkadest, malevast, väljakaevamistest ja muust aastail 1975–1984", Tallinn 1999,
Teine lugemine, Virgela 1998,
Published in English
Empire of the absurd: a brief history of the absurdities of the Soviet Union / foreword by Mart Laar ; . Ontario, 2010. 201 pages.. This book is dedicated to probably the greatest flowering of man-made absurdity in history - The Soviet Union
Estonian home / Henri van Noordenburg ; text by Lauri Vahtre ; : Eesti Instituut, 2008 44 pages.
Humanism vs humanity / translated by Enn Veldi. Tallinn : Grenader, 2008. 163 pages. Original title: Suur pettumus ehk inimene, ühiskond ja inimõigused.
Good old Swedish era – how long did it last and how good was it really? // Life in Estonia, Summer 2008, pages 18–22. Article bout the historical period between 1561–1710, when Estonia was part of the Kingdom of Sweden.
