Society of Estonian Literati
Encyclopedia
The Society of Estonian Literati ( - EKmS) was an influential association of Estonian intellectuals based in Tartu between the years 1871 to 1893.
. The society included the main Estonian writers, poets, artists and journalists of the time. Leading personalities were, among others, Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald
, Hans Wühner, Jakob Hurt
, Carl Robert Jakobson
, Hugo Treffner
and Johann Köler
.
The aim of the society was the promotion of the Estonian language
and literature in to enrich Estonian social life and a greater understanding by Estonians of their history and culture.
The society published approximately 100 items during its 18 year existence between 1873 to 1890). From 1887 the society also organized literary competitions. Under Jakob Hurt the Society systematically collected Estonian folk poetry. Members of the Society collected old documents, coins and ethnological artifacts. The society built an extensive library and organized numerous lectures.
At the beginning of the 1880s were internal political disputes between Jacob Hurt and Carl Robert Jakobson on future direction. In 1881 Hurt left with a group of his followers and Jakobson died a year later. The beginning of the Russification
of Estonia split the society further. One group took a moderate stance towards the Tsarist demands, the other was an Estonian nationalist faction who largely rejected these concessions.
On 28 April 1893, the society was shut down by the Tsarist authorities.
History
The articles of the Society of Estonian Literati was adopted in 1871. In March 1872 the first meeting was held in ViljandiViljandi
Viljandi is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 19,150 . It is the capital of Viljandi County. The town was first mentioned in 1283, upon being granted its town charter by Wilhelm von Endorpe....
. The society included the main Estonian writers, poets, artists and journalists of the time. Leading personalities were, among others, Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald
Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald
Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald was an Estonian writer, who is considered to be the father of the national literature for the country.-Life:Friedrich's parents were serfs at the Jõepere estate, Virumaa. His father worked as a granary keeper and his mother was a chambermaid...
, Hans Wühner, Jakob Hurt
Jakob Hurt
Jakob Hurt was a notable Estonian folklorist, theologist, and linguist. With respect to the latter, he is perhaps best known for his dissertation on "pure" -ne stem nouns...
, Carl Robert Jakobson
Carl Robert Jakobson
Carl Robert Jakobson was an Estonian writer, politician and teacher active in Livonia, Russian Empire. He was one of the most important persons of Estonian national awakening in the second half of the 19th century.Between 1860 and 1880, the Governorate of Livonia was led by a moderate...
, Hugo Treffner
Hugo Treffner
Hugo Hermann Fürchtegott Treffner was the founder and first director of the Hugo Treffner Gymnasium in Tartu, Livonia, Russian Empire, and an important figure in the Estonian national awakening.- Biography :...
and Johann Köler
Johann Köler
Johann Köler was a leader of the Estonian national awakening and a painter. He is considered as the first professional painter of the emerging nation. He distinguished himself primarily by his portraiture and to a lesser extent by his landscape paintings...
.
The aim of the society was the promotion of the Estonian language
Estonian language
Estonian is the official language of Estonia, spoken by about 1.1 million people in Estonia and tens of thousands in various émigré communities...
and literature in to enrich Estonian social life and a greater understanding by Estonians of their history and culture.
The society published approximately 100 items during its 18 year existence between 1873 to 1890). From 1887 the society also organized literary competitions. Under Jakob Hurt the Society systematically collected Estonian folk poetry. Members of the Society collected old documents, coins and ethnological artifacts. The society built an extensive library and organized numerous lectures.
At the beginning of the 1880s were internal political disputes between Jacob Hurt and Carl Robert Jakobson on future direction. In 1881 Hurt left with a group of his followers and Jakobson died a year later. The beginning of the Russification
Russification
Russification is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attributes by non-Russian communities...
of Estonia split the society further. One group took a moderate stance towards the Tsarist demands, the other was an Estonian nationalist faction who largely rejected these concessions.
On 28 April 1893, the society was shut down by the Tsarist authorities.
Presidents
- Jakob HurtJakob HurtJakob Hurt was a notable Estonian folklorist, theologist, and linguist. With respect to the latter, he is perhaps best known for his dissertation on "pure" -ne stem nouns...
(1872-1881) - Carl Robert JakobsonCarl Robert JakobsonCarl Robert Jakobson was an Estonian writer, politician and teacher active in Livonia, Russian Empire. He was one of the most important persons of Estonian national awakening in the second half of the 19th century.Between 1860 and 1880, the Governorate of Livonia was led by a moderate...
(1881/1882)) - Mihkel VeskeMihkel VeskeMihkel Veske is an Estonian poet and linguist.- Life :Mihkel Veske was born on a farm in the Veske farm, Holstre in northern Livonia. He attended the village school in Pullerits, the parish school in Paistu and secondary school in Tartu. Between 1866 to 1867 he attended the mission school in Leipzig...
(1882-1886) - Hugo TreffnerHugo TreffnerHugo Hermann Fürchtegott Treffner was the founder and first director of the Hugo Treffner Gymnasium in Tartu, Livonia, Russian Empire, and an important figure in the Estonian national awakening.- Biography :...
(1887-1890) - Karl August Hermann (1890/1891)
- Johann KölerJohann KölerJohann Köler was a leader of the Estonian national awakening and a painter. He is considered as the first professional painter of the emerging nation. He distinguished himself primarily by his portraiture and to a lesser extent by his landscape paintings...
(1891-1893)