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Although schoolteachers often complain about the reading habits of their pupils, broad interest in literature is traditional. Literature has been a cornerstone of Estonian national culture since the 19th century. Up to the present time the classic theme of Estonian literature has been connected to history. A historical and often tragic image is sometimes treated in an ironic and humoristic way by the writers of today.
If one wanted to find a literary work created in the interwar Republic of Estonia which confirms Estonian identity and at the same time enjoys great popularity today, it would have to be Anton Hansen Tammsaare’s (1878–1940) 5-volume epic novel Tõde ja õigus (Truth and Justice, 1926–1933). This psychological realist masterpiece depicts the development of Estonian society from the last quarter of the 19th century until the date of publication. Each volume offers an in-depth analysis of one aspect of social relations: with the land, with God, with society, with other people. The last volume of the series describes resignation and a return to rural values. Other noteworthy novelists of the interwar period were August Mälk, Karl Ristikivi, August Gailit. Poets Marie Under and Betty Alver began their creative work then and are still held in high esteem.
During the 60’s, the literary climate was more liberal and offered the opportunity for a new rise of artistic and thematic enquiry. The renewal of Estonian poetry began with Jaan Kross and ushered in a whole generation of writers. Jaan Kross was Estonia's best known and most translated writer. On several occasions he has been tipped for the Nobel Prize for Literature for his novels. Kross himself has described his own books as psychological character novels which by no means underrates the time and space which surrounds these figures: Kross attempted to be as accurate as possible with regard to historical detail, whether the work is set in the 16th or 20th century. When writing about history, Kross always managed to make hints and allusions to his own, our own era. Jaan Kross's twelve full-length novels, plus his short stories and novellas, cover a cross-section of Estonian history in a European context.
Another contemporary Estonian writer Jaan Kaplinski (born in 1941), began his literary life as a poet in the Golden Sixties of Estonian literature. Kaplinski has written essays, plays and has worked as a translator. Over the past few years, he has cultivated an intellectual style of prose and enriched Estonian literature with his travel writing. Kaplinski has himself said that his poetry is part of an expression of love for the world and a long poetic list of people and things he appreciates. Many other writers who began then are still writing today. Paul-Eerik Rummo, Hando Runnel, Viivi Luik are popular for their warm feelings towards Estonian people and country. The prose innovations made during this time and subsequent decades brought post-modernistic investigations to Estonian literature.
Tõnu Õnnepalu (born in 1962, has published works under the pseudonyms Emil Tode and Anton Nigov) is one of the most interesting and internationally renowned Estonian prose authors at the beginning of the third millennium. In all his books, Õnnepalu seeks answers to various crucial human questions including love and loneliness, sexuality, social life and religious freedom, power over others and betrayal.
Andrus Kivirähk (born 1970) is certainly one of the most oft-read prose writer of recent years. His humorous pastiches, and especially his novel Rehepapp (Old Barny, 2000) have enjoyed huge popularity with readers from all walks of life and age groups.
Estonian literature thus lives on - searching, experimenting and striving for immortality, feeling an undisguised joy in its own existence and in the beauty of its mother tongue.
Estonian Literature Information Centre
Infopoint of Estonian Culture |
