Jaak Jõerüüt
Jaak Jõerüüt (b. 9. XII 1947 in Tallinn) is an Estonian writer, diplomat, and politician. He has been married to the poet Viivi Luik since 1974.
Jõerüüt studied from 1955–1966 at Tallinn 10th Secondary School and from 1966–1973 economics at Tallinn University of Technology. He has held many positions within the academic and literary spheres, including work as a librarian, a journalist for the newspapers Õhtuleht (1969) and Rahva Hääl (1966–1973), an assistant at the department of statistics at Tallinn University of Technology (1973–1974), a researcher at the Institute of Economics of the Academy of Sciences of the Estonian SSR (1975–1976), and lastly as an editor for the publisher Eesti Raamat (1976–1977).
In 1977, Jõerüüt began working at the Writers’ Union of the Estonian SSR, first as an organizational secretary (until 1981), then later as secretary of the board (1981–1986), and, finally, vice-chairman of the board (1986–1989). In 1989, he became chairman of the Cultural Council of the Estonian Creative Unions.
Between 1989–1990, Jõerüüt was the Deputy Minister of Culture, and in 1990 became delegate of the Supreme Council of the Estonian SSR. From 1993–1997, he was Estonia’s ambassador to Finland, from 1998–2002 to Italy and Malta, from 1999–2004 to Cyprus, in 2004 to the United Nations, from 2006–2011 to Latvia, and from 2011–2014 to Sweden. From 2002–2004, he worked as head of internal audits of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from 2004–2005, he served as Minister of Defense of the Republic of Estonia.
Jõerüüt was a member of the Soviet Communist Party from 1978–1989, the Estonian Liberal Democratic Party from 1990–1993, and the Estonian Reform Party from 1994–2012. He was also a member of the Estonian Congress. In 2015, Jõerüüt retired from diplomatic service.
Jõerüüt has received many awards. In 2002, he received the Order of the National Coat of Arms, IV Class, in 2006, the Order of the National Coat of Arms, III Class, and in 2009, the Order of the Three Stars, III Class. In 2015, he won the Opinion Leader of the Year title from the Estonian newspaper Postimees.
Jõerüüt debuted with a poem in the journal Noorus in 1967. His work is lyrical and often ironic, the inquiry of an individual’s psyche is intertwined with social themes.
M. K. (Translated by M. M.)
Books in Estonian
Poems
Kaitsekiht. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1975, 56 lk.
Kõne sellel teemal. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1977, 63 lk.
Üks ja ainus. Luuletusi 1967–1971. Tallinn: Tuum, 1997, 72 lk.
Uus raamat. Tallinn: Tuum, 2004, 79 lk.
Armastuse laiad, kõrged hooned. Tallinn: Tuum, 2010, 71 lk.
Kõik luuletused. Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus, 2011, 331 lk.
Novels
Muutlik. Tallinn: Eesti Keeles Sihtasutus, 2011, 334 lk.
Short stories
Leping. Õpetajad. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1979, 112 lk.
Igavene suvi. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1980, 96 lk.
Raisakullid I. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1982, 144 lk; [2. trükk, I ja II osa: Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus, 2013, 389 lk].
Meeste tantsud. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1984, 112 lk.
Raisakullid II. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1985, 126 lk; [2. trükk, I ja II osa: Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus, 2013, 389 lk].
Teateid surmast. Tallinn: Perioodika (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 1987, 56 lk.
Teateid põrgust. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1990, 120 lk.
Sõber. Valik novelle 1979–2005. Tallinn: Tuum, 2005, 260 lk.
Raisakullid III ja IV. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 2014, 311 lk.
Elu lehekülgi lehitsetakse kiiresti: novellid ja lühiromaan. Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus, 2017, 236 lk.
Children’s books
Meierkasti Mats. Tallinn: Kunst, 1975, 16 lk.
Autod. Tallinn: Kunst, 1977, 18 lk.
Non-fiction
Jaak Arro. Tallinn: Eesti Kunstimuuseum, 1995, lk.
Diplomaat ja mälu. Tallinn: Tuum, 2004, 240 lk.
Poliitiline avaldus. Arvamusi ja kommentaare 1996–2008. Tallinn: Tuum, 2008, 259 lk.
On nagu on. Tallinn: Ajakirjade Kirjastus, 2017, 207 lk. [Mälestused.]