Kari Hotakainen
Encyclopedia
Kari Hotakainen is a Finnish
writer
. Hotakainen started his writing career as a reporter in Pori. In 1986, he moved to Helsinki. He became a full-time writer in 1996. He has two children with his wife, sound technician Tarja Laaksonen, whom he married in 1983. He has also worked as a copywriter and as a columnist for the Helsingin Sanomat
.
His father, Keijo Hotakainen, worked as a storekeeper and photographer while his mother, Meeri Ala-Kuusisto, worked as a sales clerk. Kari Hotakainen passed his matriculation examination in 1976 and graduated from Rautalampi High School the same year. He has a Bachelor of Arts
.
Hotakainen kicked off his career as an author in the beginning of the 1980s by writing poetry. His debut collection Harmittavat takaiskut (Unfortunate setbacks) was published in 1982. From poetry, Hotakainen moved on to writing books for children and young adults and then on to writing novels for adults. Before he started writing full time, Hotakainen worked as a news reporter, in the advertising department of WSOY
, etc. Hotakainen’s breakthrough came when he was nominated for the 1997 Finlandia Prize
, for his semi-autobiographical work entitled Klassikko (The Classic). In 2002, Hotakainen received the Finlandia Prize
for his book entitled Juoksuhaudantie (Battle Trench Avenue) published the same year. Later on, the book was turned into a movie with the same name. In 2004, Hotakainen received the Nordic Council's Literature Prize
for the same book. In 2006, he received the Nordic Drama Award for his play Punahukka
.
Hotakainen has also written children's plays, radio drama
s, newspaper columns and the scripts for a 10-part TV series entitled Tummien vesien tulkit.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. Hotakainen started his writing career as a reporter in Pori. In 1986, he moved to Helsinki. He became a full-time writer in 1996. He has two children with his wife, sound technician Tarja Laaksonen, whom he married in 1983. He has also worked as a copywriter and as a columnist for the Helsingin Sanomat
Helsingin Sanomat
Helsingin Sanomat is the largest subscription newspaper in Finland and the Nordic countries, owned by Sanoma. Except after certain holidays, it is published daily. In 2008, its daily circulation was 412,421 on weekdays and 468,505 on Sundays...
.
His father, Keijo Hotakainen, worked as a storekeeper and photographer while his mother, Meeri Ala-Kuusisto, worked as a sales clerk. Kari Hotakainen passed his matriculation examination in 1976 and graduated from Rautalampi High School the same year. He has a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
.
Hotakainen kicked off his career as an author in the beginning of the 1980s by writing poetry. His debut collection Harmittavat takaiskut (Unfortunate setbacks) was published in 1982. From poetry, Hotakainen moved on to writing books for children and young adults and then on to writing novels for adults. Before he started writing full time, Hotakainen worked as a news reporter, in the advertising department of WSOY
SanomaWSOY
Sanoma Oyj is a leading media group in the Nordic countries with operations in 20 European countries, based in Helsinki...
, etc. Hotakainen’s breakthrough came when he was nominated for the 1997 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...
, for his semi-autobiographical work entitled Klassikko (The Classic). In 2002, Hotakainen received 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...
for his book entitled Juoksuhaudantie (Battle Trench Avenue) published the same year. Later on, the book was turned into a movie with the same name. In 2004, Hotakainen received the Nordic Council's Literature Prize
The Nordic Council's Literature Prize
The Nordic Council Literature Prize is awarded for a work of literature written in one of the languages of the Nordic countries, that meets "high literary and artistic standards". Established in 1962, the prize is awarded every year, and is worth 350,000 Danish kroner...
for the same book. In 2006, he received the Nordic Drama Award for his play Punahukka
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a category for a collection of diseases with similar underlying problems with immunity . Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs...
.
Hotakainen has also written children's plays, radio drama
Radio drama
Radio drama is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance, broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story...
s, newspaper columns and the scripts for a 10-part TV series entitled Tummien vesien tulkit.
Novels
- Buster Keaton: elämä ja teot (1991)
- Bronks (1993)
- Syntisäkki (1995)
- Pariskunta, pukki ja pieni mies (1997)
- Klassikko (1997)
- Sydänkohtauksia, eli kuinka tehtiin Kummisetä (1999)
- Juoksuhaudantie (2002) – Finlandia PrizeFinlandia PrizeThe 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...
winner 2002 - Iisakin kirkko (2004)
- Huolimattomat (2006) – nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2006.
Poetry
- Harmittavat takaiskut (1982)
- Kuka pelkää mustaa miestä (1985)
- Hot (1987)
- Runokirja (1988)
- Kalikkakasa, kootut runot (2000)
Children's and young adults' books
- Lastenkirja (1990)
- Ritva (1997)
- Näytän hyvältä ilman paitaa (2000)
- Satukirja (2004)
Radio dramas
- Puutteellinen, Radioteatteri (1996)
- Hurmaus, Radioteatteri (1997)
- Keihäänheittäjä, Radioteatteri (1997)
- Tulisuihku, Radioteatteri (1999)
- Sitten kun kaikki on ohi, Radioteatteri (2000)
Plays
- Hukassa on hyvä paikka, musiikkinäytelmä, Helsingin Kaupunginteatteri (1999)
- Sydänkohtauksia, Tampereen työväen teatteri (2002), Kuopion kaupunginteatteri (2003)
- Punahukka, KOM-teatteri (2005)