Category
Topic
Year
Variation of complex numerals in old written Estonian
Keywords: historical linguistics, numerals, numeral systems, overcounting, literacy
In the history of written Estonian, three patterns were used for number words ranging from 21 to 99. As a result, complex numerals varied considerably, e.g., the word 21 exhibited unit-before-ten order (üks peale kakskümmend ‘one upon twenty’), ten-before-unit order (kakskümmend peale üks ‘twenty upon one’ ~ kakskümmend ja üks ‘twenty and one’ ~ kakskümmend üks ‘twenty one’), and overcounting (üks kolmatkümmend ‘one from the third decade’ ~ üks kolmat ‘one from the third’). This variation has been studied through analysis of the earliest extant Estonian texts from the 16th to 19th centuries,…
In the history of written Estonian, three patterns were used for number words ranging from 21 to 99. As a result, complex numerals varied considerably, e.g., the word 21 exhibited unit-before-ten order (üks peale kakskümmend ‘one upon twenty’), ten-before-unit order (kakskümmend peale üks ‘twenty upon one’ ~ kakskümmend ja üks ‘twenty and one’ ~ kakskümmend üks ‘twenty one’), and overcounting (üks kolmatkümmend ‘one from the third decade’ ~ üks kolmat ‘one from the third’). This variation has been studied through analysis of the earliest extant Estonian texts from the 16th to 19th centuries,…
Magic in numbers and words
Keywords: literary criticism, arts and culture journalism, literary studies, modern literature, debate in criticism, young writers
This article provides an overview of Estonian literary criticism during 2022–2023.
The archetype that emerges from the articles of this period is that of a critic who exhibits varying degrees of doubt, a yearning for connection and engagement, as well as sharpness, acumen, and empathy. While criticism remains constructive and thought-provoking, there is a pertinent question about the necessity to redefine its core. In the realm of online publications, traditional literary criticism may require re-evaluation, with a potential need for a heightened attention to visuals…
This article provides an overview of Estonian literary criticism during 2022–2023.
The archetype that emerges from the articles of this period is that of a critic who exhibits varying degrees of doubt, a yearning for connection and engagement, as well as sharpness, acumen, and empathy. While criticism remains constructive and thought-provoking, there is a pertinent question about the necessity to redefine its core. In the realm of online publications, traditional literary criticism may require re-evaluation, with a potential need for a heightened attention to visuals…
Computational insights into the variation of Finnic folk songs
Keywords: folklore, oral poetry, runosong, digital humanities, Finnic languages, variation
The article introduces the joint Finnic runosong database and associated web environments and applications developed collaboratively by computer scientists and folklorists from Finland and Estonia. These tools facilitate new approaches to analyzing the extensive dataset. Within the research framework, various computational solutions have been devised in order to identify and associate with one another similar verses and texts that differ in orthography, language, and content. These methods have also been implemented in the web environment Runoregi (runoregi.rahtiapp.fi), allowing researchers and enthusiasts interested in traditional oral poetry to easily navigate the network…
The article introduces the joint Finnic runosong database and associated web environments and applications developed collaboratively by computer scientists and folklorists from Finland and Estonia. These tools facilitate new approaches to analyzing the extensive dataset. Within the research framework, various computational solutions have been devised in order to identify and associate with one another similar verses and texts that differ in orthography, language, and content. These methods have also been implemented in the web environment Runoregi (runoregi.rahtiapp.fi), allowing researchers and enthusiasts interested in traditional oral poetry to easily navigate the network…
The cosmogonic comb and the celestial swing
Keywords: folklore, Kalevala-metric song, mythology, cosmogonic myths, ritual swinging, seasonal festivities
This article explores the potential connections between the well-known Kalevala-metric Estonian, Karelian, and Ingrian folk song type “Searching for the Comb” and the magical aspects of swinging, supernatural entities traversing between earth and sky in swings or cradles, ancient solar symbols and customs tied to the yearly cycle, along with motifs linked to divination. Through an examination of swinging’s significance in more distant cultures, I demonstrate that: (a) ritual swinging could be linked to creation myths, travel between worlds, the struggle against malevolent forces, and rites of fertility magic; (b) mythical…
This article explores the potential connections between the well-known Kalevala-metric Estonian, Karelian, and Ingrian folk song type “Searching for the Comb” and the magical aspects of swinging, supernatural entities traversing between earth and sky in swings or cradles, ancient solar symbols and customs tied to the yearly cycle, along with motifs linked to divination. Through an examination of swinging’s significance in more distant cultures, I demonstrate that: (a) ritual swinging could be linked to creation myths, travel between worlds, the struggle against malevolent forces, and rites of fertility magic; (b) mythical…
Soviet Estonian decadence
Keywords: literary studies, Estonian literature of the 1980s, late socialism, decadence, fin de siècle, postmodernism, Alexandrianism
This essay explores the emergence and evolution of a literary and artistic trend in Soviet Estonia from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. During this period, young philologists, poets, artists and essayists re-discovered the decadence of the fin-de-siècle and its Estonian expressions as a significant source of inspiration. Generally, in the official Soviet jargon, ‘decadence’ was a highly derogatory term, used during Stalin’s rule to stigmatize all of Western bourgeois culture. Consequently, patriotic scholars, even in the face of easing circumstances, were hesitant to…
This essay explores the emergence and evolution of a literary and artistic trend in Soviet Estonia from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. During this period, young philologists, poets, artists and essayists re-discovered the decadence of the fin-de-siècle and its Estonian expressions as a significant source of inspiration. Generally, in the official Soviet jargon, ‘decadence’ was a highly derogatory term, used during Stalin’s rule to stigmatize all of Western bourgeois culture. Consequently, patriotic scholars, even in the face of easing circumstances, were hesitant to…
Decadence in the theatrical situation on the example of Oscar Wilde’s “Salomé”
Keywords: literary studies, French theatre, Jean-Paul Sartre, symbolism
The article stems from Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of being in a situation, applied to examine two theatrical situations: the premiere of Oscar Wilde’s one-act tragedy “Salomé” in France, and the stage productions of the play in Estonia before and after World War II. The article demonstrates, in line with other studies, that in the French context, decadence mainly arises from the reluctance of bourgeois intellectuals to acknowledge their class membership and a yearning for the lifestyle of the aristocracy of the intellect, whereas in Estonia, (French) decadence is harnessed for cultural development and…
The article stems from Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of being in a situation, applied to examine two theatrical situations: the premiere of Oscar Wilde’s one-act tragedy “Salomé” in France, and the stage productions of the play in Estonia before and after World War II. The article demonstrates, in line with other studies, that in the French context, decadence mainly arises from the reluctance of bourgeois intellectuals to acknowledge their class membership and a yearning for the lifestyle of the aristocracy of the intellect, whereas in Estonia, (French) decadence is harnessed for cultural development and…
Estonian decadent sonnet
Keywords: literary studies, decadence, sonnet, Estonian poetry, Johannes Aavik, Gustav Suits
Since the emergence of decadent literature, sonnets have played a significant role within its realm. Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du mal contains 72 sonnets in all. In the preface to the posthumous edition of 1868, Théophile Gautier describes Baudelaire’s style as decadent. Paul Verlaine’s seminal sonnet Langueur, published in 1883, opens with the well-known line: Je suis l’Empire à la fin de la décadence (“I am the Empire at the end of decadence”). This sonnet had an enormous impact on fin de siècle poetry, earning recognition as both the ars…
Since the emergence of decadent literature, sonnets have played a significant role within its realm. Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du mal contains 72 sonnets in all. In the preface to the posthumous edition of 1868, Théophile Gautier describes Baudelaire’s style as decadent. Paul Verlaine’s seminal sonnet Langueur, published in 1883, opens with the well-known line: Je suis l’Empire à la fin de la décadence (“I am the Empire at the end of decadence”). This sonnet had an enormous impact on fin de siècle poetry, earning recognition as both the ars…
On the aestheticist roots of the intellectual Left in the first half of the 20th century
Keywords: literary studies, aestheticism, avant-garde, Barbarus, Semper, leftism
This article explores how the works and activities of close intellectual companions Johannes Barbarus and Johannes Semper reconcile their alignment with a decadent and aestheticist artistic stance with their leftist views (leading to collaboration with Soviet power and the writing of propagandistic poetry). The discussion begins with Barbarus’ poem “Journey” (Teekond), where the individualistic poet contrasts with the “modern apes”, representing progressivist and calculating bourgeois modernity. The article delves into the internal ambivalence expressed in Barbarus’ poetry, revealing simultaneous attraction and repulsion towards large revolutionary crowds; the poet likely perceives the masses primarily…
This article explores how the works and activities of close intellectual companions Johannes Barbarus and Johannes Semper reconcile their alignment with a decadent and aestheticist artistic stance with their leftist views (leading to collaboration with Soviet power and the writing of propagandistic poetry). The discussion begins with Barbarus’ poem “Journey” (Teekond), where the individualistic poet contrasts with the “modern apes”, representing progressivist and calculating bourgeois modernity. The article delves into the internal ambivalence expressed in Barbarus’ poetry, revealing simultaneous attraction and repulsion towards large revolutionary crowds; the poet likely perceives the masses primarily…
Decadence and life
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Keywords: literary studies, “The Fly”, “Sacred Weed”, Nietzsche, Bergson, Baudelaire, affective and ambivalent decadent aesthetics
This article explores the profoundly affective and ambivalent aesthetics of decadence. The analysis focuses on two examples from the early prose of A. H. Tammsaare (1878–1940) and Johannes Semper (1892–1970): “The Fly” (Kärbes, 1917) and “Sacred Weed” (Püha umbrohi, 1918). These works are viewed within the broader context of the authors’ entire body of work. The decadent aesthetics of Tammsaare’s and Semper’s works derive from Nietzschean and Bergsonian notions of decadence and life. The article illustrates the contrasts and similarities between these two notions, with…
Keywords: literary studies, “The Fly”, “Sacred Weed”, Nietzsche, Bergson, Baudelaire, affective and ambivalent decadent aesthetics
This article explores the profoundly affective and ambivalent aesthetics of decadence. The analysis focuses on two examples from the early prose of A. H. Tammsaare (1878–1940) and Johannes Semper (1892–1970): “The Fly” (Kärbes, 1917) and “Sacred Weed” (Püha umbrohi, 1918). These works are viewed within the broader context of the authors’ entire body of work. The decadent aesthetics of Tammsaare’s and Semper’s works derive from Nietzschean and Bergsonian notions of decadence and life. The article illustrates the contrasts and similarities between these two notions, with…
Dark temples brimming with sweetness from the shared impulse of all living things
Keywords: early 20th-century Estonian literature, psychoanalysis, Jaan Oks, subject in process, avant-garde, gender
This article delves into the modernist/avant-garde subject that emerges in Jaan Oks’ poetic prose, utilizing psychoanalytic theories. It aims to elucidate how the libidinal-impulsive dynamics of the psyche manifest within the context of the poetic revolution seen in the texts under scrutiny, expanding the concept of the subject beyond fixed identities and the conventional portrayal of selfhood as something stable and permanent. Key concepts include Julia Kristeva’s subject in process and the Freudian oceanic feeling: these concepts are employed to describe various movements of this elusive modernist subject…
This article delves into the modernist/avant-garde subject that emerges in Jaan Oks’ poetic prose, utilizing psychoanalytic theories. It aims to elucidate how the libidinal-impulsive dynamics of the psyche manifest within the context of the poetic revolution seen in the texts under scrutiny, expanding the concept of the subject beyond fixed identities and the conventional portrayal of selfhood as something stable and permanent. Key concepts include Julia Kristeva’s subject in process and the Freudian oceanic feeling: these concepts are employed to describe various movements of this elusive modernist subject…
Waning sex beyond good and evil
Keywords: literary studies, decadence, gender, Jaan Oks, Friedrich Nietzsche
This article aims to reconstruct the philosophical message found in Jaan Oks’ fragmentary works “Females” (Emased, 1908), “Flesh” (Ihu, 1908), and “Nameless Beast” (Nimetu elajas, 1909). The author argues that within these works, amidst alternating and colliding voices, a louder and more distinct one emerges – a prophetic-philosophical narrator who uses unfolding sketches to provide broad metaphysical generalizations and assessments, primarily concerning human nature and gender differences. In addition to reconstructing the philosophical positions, these are compared with Friedrich Nietzsche’s views on the same subjects, exploring the extent of Nietzsche’s influence on…
This article aims to reconstruct the philosophical message found in Jaan Oks’ fragmentary works “Females” (Emased, 1908), “Flesh” (Ihu, 1908), and “Nameless Beast” (Nimetu elajas, 1909). The author argues that within these works, amidst alternating and colliding voices, a louder and more distinct one emerges – a prophetic-philosophical narrator who uses unfolding sketches to provide broad metaphysical generalizations and assessments, primarily concerning human nature and gender differences. In addition to reconstructing the philosophical positions, these are compared with Friedrich Nietzsche’s views on the same subjects, exploring the extent of Nietzsche’s influence on…
Guy De Maupassant’s short stories in Estonia in the early 20th century
Keywords: literary studies, translation history, French literature, Maupassant, decadent culture, realism
In the early 20th century, the influx of foreign literary movements into Estonia was largely facilitated through print media. Periodicals predominantly favoured concise and captivating stories. Between 1900 and 1939, a significant number of translations of Guy de Maupassant’s short stories were published due to their alignment with these criteria. These translated stories later found their way into collections. Maupassant’s short stories can be interpreted as both realistic and decadent, with both perspectives finding representation in the Estonian reception. Nevertheless, the prevailing view depicts Maupassant as an eccentric writer whose…
In the early 20th century, the influx of foreign literary movements into Estonia was largely facilitated through print media. Periodicals predominantly favoured concise and captivating stories. Between 1900 and 1939, a significant number of translations of Guy de Maupassant’s short stories were published due to their alignment with these criteria. These translated stories later found their way into collections. Maupassant’s short stories can be interpreted as both realistic and decadent, with both perspectives finding representation in the Estonian reception. Nevertheless, the prevailing view depicts Maupassant as an eccentric writer whose…
Filtered decadence
Keywords: literary studies, Gabriele D’Annunzio, Young Estonia, decadence, naturalism, translation
The article examines the Estonian translations and reception of the Italian decadent writer, poet, and playwright Gabriele D’Annunzio during the period 1906–1915, encompassing a total of 13 published translations. These include a series of short stories featured in Estonian newspapers and magazines, along with two separate books: the novel Süütu (“The Innocent”, 1913) and a collection of D’Annunzio’s short stories titled Mäss (“Revolt”, 1915). The latter initiatives were associated with the modernist movement Young Estonia (Noor-Eesti), with Young Estonian poet and language reformer Villem Grünthal Ridala emerging as the most prolific…
The article examines the Estonian translations and reception of the Italian decadent writer, poet, and playwright Gabriele D’Annunzio during the period 1906–1915, encompassing a total of 13 published translations. These include a series of short stories featured in Estonian newspapers and magazines, along with two separate books: the novel Süütu (“The Innocent”, 1913) and a collection of D’Annunzio’s short stories titled Mäss (“Revolt”, 1915). The latter initiatives were associated with the modernist movement Young Estonia (Noor-Eesti), with Young Estonian poet and language reformer Villem Grünthal Ridala emerging as the most prolific…
Decadence as the aesthetics of ambivalences
Keywords: literary studies, Charles Baudelaire, Friedrich Nietzsche, Friedebert Tuglas, Estonian literary decadence, Nordic literary decadence
This article defines decadence as the aesthetics of ambivalences, drawing on Charles Baudelaire’s poem “A Carcass” (Une charogne), where decadence signifies both decline and deterioration, as well as rising, transition, and renewal. This extends beyond the organic and physiological sense, serving as a reference to the transformation of artistic aesthetics.
The usage tradition of the concept of decadence in 18th and early 19th-century French culture is briefly explored. Initially denoting historical decline (Charles de Montesquieu, Edward Gibbon), it later, in the early 19th century, encompassed aesthetic degeneration…
This article defines decadence as the aesthetics of ambivalences, drawing on Charles Baudelaire’s poem “A Carcass” (Une charogne), where decadence signifies both decline and deterioration, as well as rising, transition, and renewal. This extends beyond the organic and physiological sense, serving as a reference to the transformation of artistic aesthetics.
The usage tradition of the concept of decadence in 18th and early 19th-century French culture is briefly explored. Initially denoting historical decline (Charles de Montesquieu, Edward Gibbon), it later, in the early 19th century, encompassed aesthetic degeneration…