Category
Topic
Year
The Vaher question
Keywords: World War II, diaries, gender history, ideology, Communism, subjectivity
This is the second part of an article that explores the 1941 diary of young provincial female Estonian Communist Luise Vaher (née Kapstas). The article focuses on the ideological and gender discourses in the diary and highlights its source value for the study of Soviet everyday life in general. Vaher evacuates to the Volga region with a mindset of a militant, true-believing Bolshevik, who labels everyday adversaries as “enemies of the people” and threatens them with the full potential of Soviet repressive power. Upon arriving in towns and cities on the…
This is the second part of an article that explores the 1941 diary of young provincial female Estonian Communist Luise Vaher (née Kapstas). The article focuses on the ideological and gender discourses in the diary and highlights its source value for the study of Soviet everyday life in general. Vaher evacuates to the Volga region with a mindset of a militant, true-believing Bolshevik, who labels everyday adversaries as “enemies of the people” and threatens them with the full potential of Soviet repressive power. Upon arriving in towns and cities on the…
The so-called everyday mythology as a source of Mati Unt’s realist poetics
Keywords: Mati Unt, literary realism, critique of ideology, Soviet-era urban literature
The aim of this article is to reinterpret the style and rhetoric of Mati Unt’s proseworks from the point of view of critique of various so-called everyday myths (“everyday mythology” also being the term title of Unt’s late essay-collections). The critical praise in Unt’s reception has revolved mostly around his unique ability to depict the most modern cultural trends, catchphrases and phenomena of his time. This talent of Unt has been explained by the author’s deep interest in myths and Jungian psychoanalysis. I propose, however, that the key author to…
The aim of this article is to reinterpret the style and rhetoric of Mati Unt’s proseworks from the point of view of critique of various so-called everyday myths (“everyday mythology” also being the term title of Unt’s late essay-collections). The critical praise in Unt’s reception has revolved mostly around his unique ability to depict the most modern cultural trends, catchphrases and phenomena of his time. This talent of Unt has been explained by the author’s deep interest in myths and Jungian psychoanalysis. I propose, however, that the key author to…
Vsevolod Vishnevsky and Estonia
Keywords: Vsevolod Vishnevsky, Mikhail Bulgakov, monuments and myths, Soviet ideology, Yevgeny Nikonov
The article discusses two episodes related to the name and appearance of a famous Soviet writer and a fierce apologist of the Soviet regime Vsevolod Vishnevsky (1900–1951), who stayed in Tallinn in the first months of the war between Hitler’s Germany and the USSR, as a war correspondent of the Baltic Fleet.
In the first episode, we consider an attempt to instal a memorial plaque to Vsevolod Vishnevsky in Tallinn in 1987. This intention rallied the Estonian intellectuals to seriously oppose the Soviet ideological doctrines and pressure from the centre.…
The article discusses two episodes related to the name and appearance of a famous Soviet writer and a fierce apologist of the Soviet regime Vsevolod Vishnevsky (1900–1951), who stayed in Tallinn in the first months of the war between Hitler’s Germany and the USSR, as a war correspondent of the Baltic Fleet.
In the first episode, we consider an attempt to instal a memorial plaque to Vsevolod Vishnevsky in Tallinn in 1987. This intention rallied the Estonian intellectuals to seriously oppose the Soviet ideological doctrines and pressure from the centre.…
Word order in Estonian des-, mata- and maks-converb constructions
Keywords: syntax, word order, semantics, grammatical semantics, Estonian des-construction, Estonian mata-construction, Estonian maks-construction.
The relatively free Estonian word order is formed under the combined impact of certain pragmatic and syntactic principles: the word order is based on sentence information structure, but is also organized by the V2 constraint (see Tael 1988; Lindström 2017). Although there is extensive research on Estonian word order (see, e.g., Remmel 1963; Tael 1988; Lindström 2005), the word order in secondary constructions has not been studied in detail (except Martõkainen 2015). The article discusses the variation of word order in standard Estonian converb constructions, i.e. in the des-, mata- and maks-constructions functioning as free modifiers.…
The relatively free Estonian word order is formed under the combined impact of certain pragmatic and syntactic principles: the word order is based on sentence information structure, but is also organized by the V2 constraint (see Tael 1988; Lindström 2017). Although there is extensive research on Estonian word order (see, e.g., Remmel 1963; Tael 1988; Lindström 2005), the word order in secondary constructions has not been studied in detail (except Martõkainen 2015). The article discusses the variation of word order in standard Estonian converb constructions, i.e. in the des-, mata- and maks-constructions functioning as free modifiers.…
Ecce genius
Keywords: history of ideas, demon, artistic genius, modern genius, Estonian genius
The article aims to explore the etymology and semantics of the word ‘genius’, its history, meanings and uses. The concept manifests itself as a human aspiration towards self-sufficiency, a desire to solve the mystery of the human ideal.
The original antique meaning used to be ‘attendant spirit’, and as a genius could be either good or bad, the Middle Ages preferred speaking of guardian angels and demons, respectively. From the Late Middle Ages to the Early Renaissance the concept became increasingly associated with artists, particularly talented (‘ingenious’) poets. The 18th century introduces the…
The article aims to explore the etymology and semantics of the word ‘genius’, its history, meanings and uses. The concept manifests itself as a human aspiration towards self-sufficiency, a desire to solve the mystery of the human ideal.
The original antique meaning used to be ‘attendant spirit’, and as a genius could be either good or bad, the Middle Ages preferred speaking of guardian angels and demons, respectively. From the Late Middle Ages to the Early Renaissance the concept became increasingly associated with artists, particularly talented (‘ingenious’) poets. The 18th century introduces the…
The Vaher question. Soviet subjectivity in Luise Vaher’s diary of 1941. Part 1
Keywords: World War II, diaries, gender history, ideology, Communism, subjectivity
This article is based on the diary of a young Estonian provincial female party activist Luise Vaher (née Kapstas), in which she describes her evacuation to the Soviet rear following the German invasion of the USSR in the summer and fall of 1941. The diary offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of recently converted Estonian Communists and their shock in encountering the realities of Soviet everyday life. It shows how a young female Bolshevik is trying to make sense of the abject Soviet poverty and the brutal kolkhoz life, its…
This article is based on the diary of a young Estonian provincial female party activist Luise Vaher (née Kapstas), in which she describes her evacuation to the Soviet rear following the German invasion of the USSR in the summer and fall of 1941. The diary offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of recently converted Estonian Communists and their shock in encountering the realities of Soviet everyday life. It shows how a young female Bolshevik is trying to make sense of the abject Soviet poverty and the brutal kolkhoz life, its…
Holistic desire and fear of fragmentation in the works of Johannes Semper
Keywords: gender, body, Henri Bergson, organicism, modern female dancer, World War I
The aesthetic programme of Estonian modernist writer Johannes Semper (1892–1970) is permeated by ideas of holism and organicism. The article explores what could have motivated/reinforced such a value system and how it might have affected Semper’s representations of body and gender.
From the philosophical point of view Semper’s works have been moulded, firstly, by a cognitive strand of German romanticism called organicism, according to which an artistic achievement is also organic, i.e. coming from the living world. Accordingly, an authentic work of art cannot be divided without causing irreparable damage to the…
The aesthetic programme of Estonian modernist writer Johannes Semper (1892–1970) is permeated by ideas of holism and organicism. The article explores what could have motivated/reinforced such a value system and how it might have affected Semper’s representations of body and gender.
From the philosophical point of view Semper’s works have been moulded, firstly, by a cognitive strand of German romanticism called organicism, according to which an artistic achievement is also organic, i.e. coming from the living world. Accordingly, an authentic work of art cannot be divided without causing irreparable damage to the…
The phenomenon of apparent death in history, literature and folklore
Keywords: apparent death, seemingly dead, legend, rumour, Lazarus syndrome, funeral, Enlightenment, 19th-century Estonian journalism, premature burial
Storylines associated with apparent death are known all over the world. Hardly any other subject or motif of folklore can offer a more coloured bouquet in genre than apparent death, ranging from fairy tales and romantic legends and narratives to rumours, ballads, and jokes. The earlier texts of our folklore archives date back to the late 1880s, but the vast majority of Estonian apparent death stories were collected in the second half of the 20th century. The historical origin of the stories of apparent death…
Storylines associated with apparent death are known all over the world. Hardly any other subject or motif of folklore can offer a more coloured bouquet in genre than apparent death, ranging from fairy tales and romantic legends and narratives to rumours, ballads, and jokes. The earlier texts of our folklore archives date back to the late 1880s, but the vast majority of Estonian apparent death stories were collected in the second half of the 20th century. The historical origin of the stories of apparent death…
Awakening calls of folklore collectors addressing the public
Keywords: publics, folklore collecting, Jakob Hurt, 19th century Estonia, vernacular literacy
The article focuses on the ambivalent relationship between the public space and the folklore collecting campaigns of the last decade of the 19th century. On the one hand, those campaigns were heavily embedded into public space as all information regarding the collecting as well as feedback to collectors was given through newspapers. But if we look at the position of ordinary collectors in regard of public space, the picture is much more ambivalent – though most of their writings failed to be published, they still seemed to regard writing in…
The article focuses on the ambivalent relationship between the public space and the folklore collecting campaigns of the last decade of the 19th century. On the one hand, those campaigns were heavily embedded into public space as all information regarding the collecting as well as feedback to collectors was given through newspapers. But if we look at the position of ordinary collectors in regard of public space, the picture is much more ambivalent – though most of their writings failed to be published, they still seemed to regard writing in…
Film-inspired games of children and youth remembered to have been played in Estonia in the 1950s
Keywords: children’s games, children’s culture, post-war period, Soviet cinema, Stalinist Estonia, trophy films.
The article discusses the media-inspired games played by Estonian children in the 1950s. The source material comes from the relevant essays sent to the competition of collecting children’s games, which was organized by the Estonian Folklore Archives at the Estonian Literary Museum. Besides describing their childhood activities the contributors had managed to explain, discuss and contextualize the games. Also, some essays on the topic “Cinema in my life” by the participants of the biography writing group were used. The authors of the essays, having chosen a child’s point of…
The article discusses the media-inspired games played by Estonian children in the 1950s. The source material comes from the relevant essays sent to the competition of collecting children’s games, which was organized by the Estonian Folklore Archives at the Estonian Literary Museum. Besides describing their childhood activities the contributors had managed to explain, discuss and contextualize the games. Also, some essays on the topic “Cinema in my life” by the participants of the biography writing group were used. The authors of the essays, having chosen a child’s point of…
Attempts to find words for homosexualism
The Eulenburg scandal and the lectures of Magnus Hirschfeld in the early 20th century Estonian press
Keywords: Estonian LGBTI history, Magnus Hirschfeld, Eulenburg affair
Towards the end of the 19th century Estonian journalism developed a more global grasp, while the traditional educational and instructive texts were increasingly accompanied by foreign news and entertainment. First, the article acquaints the readers with the representations of the Eulenburg scandal in Germany in the Estonian press of the early 20th century, then proceeds to the local Estonian coverage of Magnus Hirschfeld’s lectures held in the late 1920s, who campaigned for the decriminalisation of homosexualism. Both the Eulenburg scandal and Hirschfeld’s visits made Estonian journalists to articulate the homosexual desire and contextualise…
Towards the end of the 19th century Estonian journalism developed a more global grasp, while the traditional educational and instructive texts were increasingly accompanied by foreign news and entertainment. First, the article acquaints the readers with the representations of the Eulenburg scandal in Germany in the Estonian press of the early 20th century, then proceeds to the local Estonian coverage of Magnus Hirschfeld’s lectures held in the late 1920s, who campaigned for the decriminalisation of homosexualism. Both the Eulenburg scandal and Hirschfeld’s visits made Estonian journalists to articulate the homosexual desire and contextualise…
Needles, pineapple and rainbow babies
Keywords: personal experience narratives, IVF journey, participatory storytelling, online communities, visualization patterns, symbols
The aim of the study was to examine: (1) What aspects of their stories about in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey do women visualize on Instagram? (2) How do they present their IVF experience on Instagram? (3) What role do visuals play in conveying meanings and messages? and (4) How do the above mentioned questions reveal the functions and motives of the women’s IVF community on Instagram?
Three groups of visuals came up with the help of multimodal discourse analysis (the topics, meanings and messages of the visuals were analysed in…
The aim of the study was to examine: (1) What aspects of their stories about in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey do women visualize on Instagram? (2) How do they present their IVF experience on Instagram? (3) What role do visuals play in conveying meanings and messages? and (4) How do the above mentioned questions reveal the functions and motives of the women’s IVF community on Instagram?
Three groups of visuals came up with the help of multimodal discourse analysis (the topics, meanings and messages of the visuals were analysed in…
Fears described in modern Estonian schoolchildren’s lore
Keywords: children’s lore, narratives, fears, media influence
The article is focused on how modern Estonian schoolchildren describe, in writing, their fears and their ways to cope with those fears, and analyses the influence of mass and social media (e.g films, YouTube videos, computer games, narrative folklore) as a source of the content and direction for those feared images. The main body of the children’s texts analysed concerns the fears and beliefs relating to nature and environment, interpersonal relations, and the supernatural. The analysis highlights some universal traits observed over time as well as some characters and phenomena making a short appearance before…
The article is focused on how modern Estonian schoolchildren describe, in writing, their fears and their ways to cope with those fears, and analyses the influence of mass and social media (e.g films, YouTube videos, computer games, narrative folklore) as a source of the content and direction for those feared images. The main body of the children’s texts analysed concerns the fears and beliefs relating to nature and environment, interpersonal relations, and the supernatural. The analysis highlights some universal traits observed over time as well as some characters and phenomena making a short appearance before…
Sport commentators’ gaffes as a source for folk humour
Keywords: folklore, humour, linguistic theories of humour, sport commentators’ bloopers, sport commentators’ gaffes, sport commentators’ use of language
The paper analyses, from folkloristic and humour theoretical aspects, sports commentators’ gaffes, or bloopers, collected from live sports broadcasts on different Estonian media channels from 2010–2019. We will attempt to answer three questions: 1) How should such comments be defined in terms of folklore? 2) Which theoretical humour mechanisms are the foundation of this humour? 3) How to categorise the gaffes?
The main focus of the article is on gaffes as a subtype of humor. Sports commentators’ gaffes fall into the category of linguistic humour, which…
The paper analyses, from folkloristic and humour theoretical aspects, sports commentators’ gaffes, or bloopers, collected from live sports broadcasts on different Estonian media channels from 2010–2019. We will attempt to answer three questions: 1) How should such comments be defined in terms of folklore? 2) Which theoretical humour mechanisms are the foundation of this humour? 3) How to categorise the gaffes?
The main focus of the article is on gaffes as a subtype of humor. Sports commentators’ gaffes fall into the category of linguistic humour, which…
Contemporary Estonian and Belarusian ethnic jokes on the internet
Keywords: joke, meme, ethnic humour, ethnic identity, Estonia, Belarus
Much of today’s entertainment, including humor communication, takes place online. It can be expected that as a result of globalization, jokes will become more universal and, consequently, local distinctions, such as specific ethnic targets that have so far differed from region to region, will disappear. The popularity of ethnic jokes can also be influenced by the growing demand for political correctness. This article compares Estonian and Belarusian ethnic humor, focusing on the last few decades. The aim is to improve the understanding of the relationship between ethnic humor and social reality: to complement…
Much of today’s entertainment, including humor communication, takes place online. It can be expected that as a result of globalization, jokes will become more universal and, consequently, local distinctions, such as specific ethnic targets that have so far differed from region to region, will disappear. The popularity of ethnic jokes can also be influenced by the growing demand for political correctness. This article compares Estonian and Belarusian ethnic humor, focusing on the last few decades. The aim is to improve the understanding of the relationship between ethnic humor and social reality: to complement…
Reception of scandalous news in the Facebook group KalambuuR
Keywords: folkloristics, minor genres, humour, newslore, social media
The article takes a closer look at some topical puns posted in the Facebook group KalambuuR, which is an Estonian group created for posting wordplays. The analysis is based on 32 topical puns from May 2018, which are related to a harassment scandal involving the famous Estonian astrologer Igor Mang. The scandal emerged when the investigative TV programme Pealtnägija (Eyewitness) uncovered that during his healing sessions Igor Mang had been harassing his female clients for years.
When commenting on the aforementioned scandal, KalambuuR members reacted fast, posting numerous topical puns the same evening and the following day,…
The article takes a closer look at some topical puns posted in the Facebook group KalambuuR, which is an Estonian group created for posting wordplays. The analysis is based on 32 topical puns from May 2018, which are related to a harassment scandal involving the famous Estonian astrologer Igor Mang. The scandal emerged when the investigative TV programme Pealtnägija (Eyewitness) uncovered that during his healing sessions Igor Mang had been harassing his female clients for years.
When commenting on the aforementioned scandal, KalambuuR members reacted fast, posting numerous topical puns the same evening and the following day,…
The folktales of Siberian Estonians in the Estonian Folklore Archives
Keywords: folklore collecting, folktales, Siberian Estonians
The article discusses the folktales that were written down in villages of the Minusinsk region in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia by Rosalie Ottesson (1899–1979), an Estonian in Siberia and an informant and collaborator of the Department of Folklore, Estonian Literary Museum. The tales were written down in 1969–1976 when the tradition of telling folktales had more or less disappeared in Estonia.
Ottesson, who grew up in a village community with a strong oral tradition, had heard folktales since her early childhood, first in the Estonian language, later in both Estonian and Russian. She translated the tales that…
The article discusses the folktales that were written down in villages of the Minusinsk region in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia by Rosalie Ottesson (1899–1979), an Estonian in Siberia and an informant and collaborator of the Department of Folklore, Estonian Literary Museum. The tales were written down in 1969–1976 when the tradition of telling folktales had more or less disappeared in Estonia.
Ottesson, who grew up in a village community with a strong oral tradition, had heard folktales since her early childhood, first in the Estonian language, later in both Estonian and Russian. She translated the tales that…