Estonian edition publishes Boris Vilde’s prison diaries and letters

Prison diaries and letters by Boris Vilde, a key figure in the French resistance, have been published in Estonian, ERR reported. Marek Tamm compiled the volume, and Triinu Tamm translated it from French.

Vilde, a writer and ethnologist, lived in Russia, Estonia and Germany before settling in Paris. His life ended with his execution at Mont-Valérien. In his 1941–1942 prison diary, he reflects on philosophy, religion and language, as well as identity, freedom, life, death and love.

The diary has been published in full for the first time. The translation is based on a manuscript held at the National Library of France. The book also includes all known surviving letters Vilde wrote in prison to his wife, Irène, and an editorial from the first issue of the underground resistance newspaper Résistance, which was most likely written by Vilde.

The volume includes Marek Tamm’s notes and an extensive afterword. Drawing on archival sources and recent research, it traces Vilde’s life and his transformation from a historical figure into a figure of memory.