Sörmlands Museum. CC BY SA
Muhu (German: Mohn/Moon) is an island in the Baltic Sea belonging to Estonia, known today for its historical windmills and fine local wines. It was also the place where twins Erna and Linda, and their brother Evald Lagerström grew up. Yet in 1943 an alarming message prompted them to leave home: Evald, then 19 years old, was summoned to join the German army. On 20 October the siblings sailed away, their boat remaining undetected because of the fierce, high-reaching waves. After two days they arrived at Nynäshamn, a municipality in Stockholm County, Sweden. The Lagerströms remained in Sweden and got married there. Their mother tongue being Swedish, helped them becoming part of the local community. Smiling at the photographer, twins Erna and Linda are portrayed here shortly after their arrival in Sweden. The picture shows the women wearing traditional costumes from Muhu: a sweet reminder of the life they left behind.
