Adolf Rammo
Adolf Rammo (25 September 1922 – 2 February 1998) was a poet and children’s and youth writer.
Rammo was born in Narva as the son of a craftsman, attended the primary school of Kreenholm textile factory in Narva, Narva progymnasium, Narva industrial school and State Industrial School in Tallinn, which he completed in 1941 as a locksmith. In same year, he was recruited to the Red Army and participated in World War II. After being released from the army, he worked in Tallinn as a cook, delivery man and boilermaker. From 1953–1957, he was a journalist, thereafter, lived as a freelance writer in Tallinn. Adolf Rammo was a member of the Estonian Writers’ Union from 1971. His wife Helju Rammo was also a children’s author.
Rammo published his first poems in 1947. His first poetry collection appeared in 1957. The poems are mainly based on the motifs of his hometown Narva. The frequent themes in his verses are memories of childhood, hardships of the war and depiction of workmen’s everyday life. Rammo’s later poetry contains more depth of thought. Adolf Rammo’s poetry collections were met by critics cautiously.
Rammo’s books for children had greater success, particularly a trilogy of youth stories with autobiographical elements about the life and adventures of teenage boys in Narva in the 1930s. The strengths of these books are his fluent skill of storytelling and realistic capturing of the circumstances of the period. The novella Kuskil Kureküla küngastel (‘Somewhere on the Hills of Kureküla’) depicts the life of Narva schoolboys in the post-war years.
Rammo has also published several collections of poetry for children.
L. P. (Translated by I. A.)
Books in Estonian
Poetry
Lapsepõlv. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1957. 83 lk.
Kodusel pinnal. Luuletused ja epigrammid. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1960. 84 lk.
Naeratused. Luuletusi 1960–1963. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1964. 80 lk.
Kaks Adolfit. Murelik poeem. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1969. 38 lk.
Naeruvigurid: valik luuletusi 1960–1970. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1972. 89 lk.
Valusad värsid. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1977. 64 lk.
Läbi mitme värava. Luuletusi aastaist 1955–1980. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1982. 147 lk.
Ellujäänud mehe laulud. Laagri- ja sõjaluulet. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1990. 93 lk.
Poetry for children
Ole ikka mees!. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1961. 32 lk.
Vallatud värsid. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1964. 66 lk.
Pisike tragi. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1966. 64 lk.
Lapse laulud. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1968. 39 lk.
Õnnelik jahiretk. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1970. 30 lk.
Jõmm-Valepoiss. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1977. 48 lk.
Patsi, patsi päikesele. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1979. 45 lk.
Silm sirkel, nina vinkel. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1980. 44 lk.
Priidu portreed. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1982. 12 lk.
Youth stories
Šahh Madan. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1970. 127 lk.
Hundipassiga koolipoiss. Šahh Madani teine raamat. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1973. 150 lk.
Kuskil Kureküla küngastel. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1973. 79 lk.
Kibekäppade küpsetuskojas. Šahh Madani kolmas raamat. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1974. 178 lk.
