A presentation will be made today at the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki of a newly published book by Finnish author, translator and literary scholar Juhani Salokannel called Nuoren Viron omatunto. Kansalliskirjailija A. H. Tammsaare (The Conscience of Young Estonia. National Author A.H. Tammsaare). In the book, the author interprets Tammsaare’s works, talks about his career, and explains why Tammsaare was, and still is, the conscience of the Republic of Estonia.
The book will be presented by Sirje Olesk, faculty member of the University of Helsinki, who teaches Estonian literature, and according to whom the works of Tammsaare are unfortunately little known in Finland. “There are few translations and they are out-dated, although between 2002 and 2013 fresh translations of Tõde ja Õigus (Truth and Justice) by Salokannel were published. And now he has written an original and extremely interesting book about our literary giant, in which he interprets the author’s works and explains why Tammsaare has been, and continues to be so important as the shaper and portrayer of Estonian life and the Estonian way of thinking,” Olesk said.
The book was published by the Vastapaino publishing house. The book will soon be translated into Estonian by translator Piret Saluri.
Juhani Salokannel has translated the works of many Estonian authors into Finnish, including Ülo Tuulik, Jaan Kaplinski, Toomas Vint, Jaan Kross, Lennart Meri, Emil Tode, Viivi Luik, Jaak Jõerüüt, Hasso Krull, Uku Masing, and Tõnu Õnnepalu.
More information:
Anu Kippasto
Cultural Counsellor in Helsinki
+358 9 62202631