The Estophile Enlightenment period refers to a cultural and intellectual movement in Estonia during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, driven by Baltic German scholars, clergy, and local intellectuals who sought to promote Estonian culture, language, and education. The term "Estophile" describes these individuals who were sympathetic to the Estonian people and dedicated to improving their social and cultural standing.
The movement emerged as part of the broader Enlightenment ideals spreading across Europe, which emphasized reason, education, and human rights. In Estonia, the Estophile movement focused on advancing the Estonian language, developing literature, and supporting educational initiatives for the largely peasant population, who had long been under the control of Baltic German nobility.
One of the key figures of the Estophile Enlightenment was Garlieb Merkel, a Baltic German writer who, in his 1798 book *Die Letten und Esten*, criticized the harsh conditions faced by Estonian and Latvian peasants under serfdom and called for their emancipation. His work helped raise awareness of the plight of the local population and encouraged efforts toward social reform.
Estophiles also contributed to the development of Estonian literature and linguistics. Otto Wilhelm Masing, a clergyman and one of the most influential Estophiles, created an Estonian-language newspaper, *Marahva Näddala-Leht*, in 1821, which was one of the earliest publications aimed at educating and informing the Estonian peasantry. Masing is also credited with introducing the letter "õ" to the Estonian alphabet, a distinctive feature of the language today.
Other key figures included Johann Heinrich Rosenplänter, who founded the first Estonian-language journal *Beiträge zur genauern Kenntniss der estnischen Sprache* (Contributions to the Better Understanding of the Estonian Language) in 1813, which focused on the study of the Estonian language and culture.
The Estophile Enlightenment laid the groundwork for the later national awakening in Estonia by fostering a sense of national identity and promoting the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Estonian people. Although led by Baltic Germans, the movement was a crucial step in the intellectual and cultural development of Estonia, helping to pave the way for future efforts toward independence and national self-determination.