Erik Püvi

Short stories

Erik Püvi (real name Püüsalu, earlier Püüman, 13 April 1931 – 21 June 1976) was a prose writer.

Püvi was born as the son of a farmer at Sangaste, Valga County. He studied at Haapsalu Secondary School No 1. In 1949, Püvi was deported to Siberia with his mother. In Russia, he continued his studies in secondary school and from 1953–1956 studied at the Novosibirsk Physical Education College. After returning to Estonia, he entered Tartu State University where he studied at the Faculty of History and Philology from 1963–1966. Püvi worked as a teacher at several schools in Jõgeva district and the town of Paldiski and, for a longer period, from 1965–1975, at Puiatu special boarding school in Viljandi district. His last job was to be an administrator at the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn.

Püvi had started trying his hand at literature in Siberia. His first youth stories and topical satires were published in Estonia in the 1960s. Püvi’s satirical sketches won prizes in satire competitions and were translated into Russian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Polish, Moldavian, German and Hungarian. During Püvi’s lifetime, his collection of satirical sketches Vilistav eesel (‘Whistling Donkey’, 1975) was published as a book. The collection of miniatures Peeglike seinal (‘Mirror on the Wall’, 1976) and the collection of short stories Eluõigusmäng “The Game of Right to Life” (1977) were published after his death. The short story collection reflects the author’s observations from special boarding schools where he worked as a teacher and warden.

A characteristic feature of Püvi’s creation is his warm attitude towards the fate of simple people. He condemns violence and is deeply humanistic.

L. P. (Translated by I. A.)

Books in Estonian

Short prose
Vilistav eesel. Tallinn: ajakiri „Pikker“, 1975. 112 lk.
Peeglike seinal. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1976. 120 lk.
Eluõigusmäng. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1977. 94 lk. [Jutustused, vanemale koolieale.]