Silverwhite is a cinematic experience that delves into the visceral and untold origin story of the Finno-Ugric people. Spanning three millennia and weaving through the life cycles of four families, this haunting and atmospheric drama unfolds along the enchanting Baltic Sea coast.

 

In Silverwhite eras overlap seamlessly, capturing the primal fears, rituals, and unconditional bonds that remain unchanged through time. The film’s non-linear timeline and multiple-protagonist structure offer a rich tapestry of interwoven narratives, each exploring the universal and relevant theme of identity and resilience.

 

At the heart of Silverwhite is the legendary story of Pytheas, the great Greek explorer who embarked on a daring journey to discover Ultima Thule, the fabled land beyond the known world. His quest serves as the central link that unites all the storylines.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

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“Silverwhite”: A Travelogue of Wind and Ancient Lore” is a book by Estonian writer and politician Lennart Meri, first published in 1976. In this work, Meri speculated in a semi-scientific and imaginative manner about the past of Estonians and other Baltic Finns. The first edition of the book was illustrated by Heinz Valk.

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Many readers consider Hõbevalge one of the most masterful explorations of Estonia’s past. According to the author’s genre definition, it is a travelogue, though most of the book is filled with visions of life on the ancient shores of the Baltic Sea, with travel descriptions being almost entirely absent.

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Recurring themes in the book include the sea as the main shaper of Estonians’ worldview, culture, and essence; the issues surrounding the Kaali meteorite, which are linked to ancient explorations and world descriptions; Tallinn’s distant past; and the development of seafaring along the Baltic coast throughout history.

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The majority of the book consists of ethnological material (mainly Estonian folk songs and traditions) and the author’s interpretations based on them. Among other things, Meri presents several hypotheses that have become popular among the public but remain debated in scholarly circles. These include the etymology of the name Revala/Rävala from the word rebu (“spine”), the extensive influence of the Kaali meteorite on European mythology (including its reflection in the Greek myth of Phaethon’s sun chariot falling to Earth), the identification of the ancient Greek traveler Pytheas’s described Thule with Saaremaa, and the identification of the city mentioned in the travelogue of the Arabic geographer al-Idrisi with Tallinn.

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The book’s title refers to the Estonian tradition of sacrificing silver shavings, called hõbevalge (“silver-white”), to sacred springs.