Helvi Hämäläinen
Encyclopedia
Helvi Hämäläinen was a Finnish author who published dozens of books of prose and poetry during her six decade writing career.
Helvi Heleena Hämäläinen was born in Hamina
, but moved to Helsinki
with her parents Aaro and Iida Hämäläinen while still a pre-schooler. Hämäläinen's first novel, Hyväntekijä (Finnish: The Benefactor) appeared in 1930, but her breakthrough came five years later with her portrait of the working-class Katuojan vettä (Finnish: Water in a Gutter). Hämäläinen's best-known book, Säädyllinen murhenäytelmä (Finnish: Respectable Tragedy), appeared in 1941. A roman-à-clef, it caused a great sensation: readers were able to identify several notable cultural personalities of the day, Hämäläinen's former lover Olavi Paavolainen
among them. She was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1959 .
In 1987, after two decades out of the spotlight, Hämäläinen returned to the public eye when her book of poems, Sukupolveni unta (Finnish: Dreams of My Generation), won the Finlandia Prize
.
Helvi Hämäläinen died at the age of 90 on 17 January 1998. She is buried in the Orthodox cemetery of Helsinki
.
Helvi Heleena Hämäläinen was born in Hamina
Hamina
Hamina is a town and a municipality of Finland. It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Kymenlaakso region. The town has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water. The population density is...
, but moved to Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
with her parents Aaro and Iida Hämäläinen while still a pre-schooler. Hämäläinen's first novel, Hyväntekijä (Finnish: The Benefactor) appeared in 1930, but her breakthrough came five years later with her portrait of the working-class Katuojan vettä (Finnish: Water in a Gutter). Hämäläinen's best-known book, Säädyllinen murhenäytelmä (Finnish: Respectable Tragedy), appeared in 1941. A roman-à-clef, it caused a great sensation: readers were able to identify several notable cultural personalities of the day, Hämäläinen's former lover Olavi Paavolainen
Olavi Paavolainen
Olavi Paavolainen was a Finnish essayist, journalist, travel book writer, and poet. He often went under the pseudonym of Olavi Lauri. Paavolainen was the central figure of the literary group Tulenkantajat and one of the most influential literary opinion leaders between the two World wars in...
among them. She was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1959 .
In 1987, after two decades out of the spotlight, Hämäläinen returned to the public eye when her book of poems, Sukupolveni unta (Finnish: Dreams of My Generation), won the Finlandia Prize
Finlandia Prize
The Finlandia Prize is the most prestigious literary award in Finland by the Finnish Book Foundation. It is awarded annually to the author of the best novel written by a Finnish citizen , children's book , and non-fiction book...
.
Helvi Hämäläinen died at the age of 90 on 17 January 1998. She is buried in the Orthodox cemetery of Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
.