National Parks in the Baltic States

Untouched nature, unique forest, lake, and marshland landscapes, a 10,000-year-old cultural and natural heritage, and habitat for dozens of endangered species of animals and plants, all this is offered by the national parks in the Baltic States. Journeying from the deep forests and large boulders of Estonia to the hot sulfur springs and sprawling bogs of Latvia to the picturesque high dunes of Lithuania, the tour takes in some of the most beautiful intact natural areas in the world.

Located in northeastern Europe on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea, the three states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania together form the Baltic States. The term Baltic has its origin in "Mare balticum", the Latin term for Baltic Sea. The Baltic States were once part of the Russian Empire, gained their independence after World War I, but were annexed again by the Soviet Union in 1940. The Baltic states have been independent again since 1991.

The documentary series explores four of the most important national parks in the region. These are protected areas for nature, where flora and fauna can develop wildly and freely. Human intervention in the ecosystem is strictly regulated here. A national park is a landscape that is ecologically particularly valuable and requires the protection of the state. In the course of the series, we will introduce two national parks in Estonia, two national parks in Latvia, and two national parks in Lithuania. The focus will be on the characteristics of flora and fauna of each park, illustrating the species richness but also the fragility of the different ecosystems.

Series
208 minutes
Director
Mechtild Lehning
Britta-Susann Lübke
Nadine Niemann
Production
Kinescope Film GmbH
Associate Producer
Christina Mayer
Line producer
Matthias Greving
Broadcaster
Radio Bremen/arte