ABSTRACT
Looking at the civil society will provide important additional information and a deeper understanding of the degree to which the collective farmers were social subjects during the transition. The public functions that attracted thousands of people over three successive years (1988, 1989, and 1990) are known as the ‘Days of Kanepi’. The ‘Days of Kanepi’ ushered in the restoration of the church in public life. The clerical ceremonies – commemorative church services, consecrations, inaugurations, etc. – were given an important status. More often than not, this reflected an anti-Communist approach rather than religious rebirth. Public political life in Kanepi in the 1990s was somnolent. Those surveyed had political preferences but there were few people actively involved in party work. Civic initiative in reforming life in the Municipality of Kanepi worked like a tsunami; the eruption in 1988–1990 was followed by a rapid recession, leaving in its wake a greater void than there was earlier.
