Estonian Culture and Literature

general courses

Introduction to the literature, history and culture of Estonia.

1. Introduction: Estonia

2. Key events in the history of Estonia

3. Prehistoric beliefs; Christianity; peasant culture; folk calendar;

national dishes

4. Literature of Estonia

4.1. From the beginning to the end of 18 th century: folklore;

chronology; first publications; church literature; occasional

poetry.

4.2. 19 th century: the birth of national literature; Estonian romanticism

and realism.

4.3. Late 19 th and early 20 th century: literature on the eve of Estonian

independence.

4.4. 20 th century: 1918–1940; the postwar period; literature in exile

and behind the Iron Curtain; the “new independence”.

4.5. Contemporary Estonian literature (including the 21 st century).

5. The national epos Kalevipoeg; its impact on the Estonian national

identity; its presence in visual arts, literature, theater and film.

6. Stage arts and theater in Estonia.

7. Visual arts and architecture in Estonia.

Having completed the course, participants will know the outline of

Estonia’s history — cultural history in particular. They will also be familiar

in more detail with a number of significant Estonian works of art

(literature, theater, visual arts, film etc.). The general knowledge of

Estonian culture they will acquire during the course should enable them

to recognize some of its key themes and their place within the broader

historical framework.

midterm test (remotely/online), literature analysis, essay