{"id":1826,"date":"2024-04-03T23:42:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T20:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/semper\/"},"modified":"2025-05-05T15:30:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T12:30:05","slug":"semper","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/s\/semper\/","title":{"rendered":"Johannes Semper"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poems <\/span><\/strong><\/a>\"Johannes<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Novels<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Short stories<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

About Johannes Semper<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johannes Semper (pseudonyms Asm, Naatanael, 22.\/10. III 1892 \u2013 21. II 1970) was a poet, prose writer, playwright, translator, and critic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was born in Paistu parish, Viljandi county. He studied at Viljandi in Heine private progymnasium and graduated from P\u00e4rnu gymnasium. From 1910-1914, he studied Germanic and Romance philology at Saint Petersburg University and from 1915-1916, architecture at Riga Polytechnical University that had been evacuated to Moscow. He was drafted by the Russian military and graduated Moscow Military School as an ensign in 1917. In Estonia, he was an officer and active in politics as well. He was the vice chairman of the Estonian Military Main Committee and a member of the Estonian Socialist Revolutionary Party. He took part in the Estonian War of Independence as a reserve division artilleryman and in 1920, he was promoted to lieutenant on the order of major-general Laidoner. From 1919-1920, he was a member of the Constituent Assembly. After abandoning politics, he enrolled in the Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin (later named Humboldt University) where he studied ethnology, philosophy, and aesthetics from 1921-1925. From 1926-1927, he lived in Paris. He obtained his master\u2019s degree from the University of Tartu with the thesis \u2018The structure of Andre Gide\u2019s style\u2019 (1929). He was a member of the Estonian Writers\u2019 Union from 1922-1941. From 1928-1940, he worked as a professor of aesthetics and stylistics at the University of Tartu and was the editor of the magazine Looming<\/em> from 1930-1940. He was the chairman of the Estonian PEN Club (1928-1940). After the occupation of Estonia in 1940, he was the minister of education in Johannes Vares\u2019 government and joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He was the director of the Ministry of Arts of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1941-1948. During the war between Germany and the Soviet Union, he resided in the latter, edited radio shows in Moscow and directed ESSR National Art Groups (which were created in 1942 in Yaroslavl to service the divisions and home front of the Red Army). He returned to Estonia in 1944. He was a deputy of the I, II, VI and VII convocations of the Supreme Soviets of the ESSR and a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the ESSR from 1967-1970. He was a member of the Writers\u2019 Union from 1943-1950, its chairman from 1946-1950 and vice chairman from 1958-1966. In 1950, he was expelled from the Writers\u2019 Union and the CPSU on the grounds of being a bourgeois nationalist and cosmopolite. Both these memberships were restored, and he re-joined the Writers\u2019 Union in 1955. He received various awards both in independent Estonia and the ESSR, e.g. the Estonian Head of State Prize in 1935 for his novel Armukadedus<\/em> (\u2018Jealousy\u2019, 1934) and in 1937 for his poetry collection Tuuleratas<\/em> (\u2018Pinwheel\u2019, 1936). He received the Order of the White Star, V Class (1940) and was the Merited Writer of the ESSR in 1945. He was awarded the State Prize of the Soviet Estonia (1947), the Order of Lenin (1962) and was the People\u2019s Writer of the ESSR in 1964. He died in Tallinn and is buried at Metsakalmistu (Forest Cemetery).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He debuted in 1910 with an overview of Estonian literature in the Latvian language magazine Kahwi<\/em> and his first poems were published in Young Estonia\u2019s publications in 1911. He was a member of the literary grouping Siuru and was also active in the Tarapita grouping. His first collections Pierrot<\/em> (1917) and J\u00e4ljed liival<\/em> (\u2018Tracks in the Sand\u2019, 1920) include emotional and nature poetry. The collection Maa ja mereveersed rytmid<\/em> (\u2018The Rhythms of the Land and Seaside\u2019, 1922) has undertones of expressionism. He was one of the introducers of German expressionists in journals. Semper\u2019s personal travel and big city experiences are found in poetry as well, e.g. in the collection Viis meelt<\/em> (\u2018Five Senses\u2019, 1926). His intellectual works are greatly influenced by Western European culture with French and Russian symbolist influences in his earlier writings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His interest in psychoanalysis is expressed in the story collection Ellinor<\/em> (1927) and his first novel Armukadedus<\/em> (\u2018Jealousy\u2019, 1934) is deeply psychological as well. The novel Kivi kivi peale<\/em> (\u2018Stone on Stone\u2019, 1939) focuses on social issues. Soviet ideology is present in his plays and the novel Punased nelgid<\/em> (\u2018Red Carnations\u2019, 1955). He also wrote the lyrics to the ESSR official anthem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Semper has been characterized as an intellectual with a deep level of erudition, who played an important role in the development of Estonian aesthetic thought and in intermediating and interpreting foreign literature. He has translated from German, Russian, Italian, English, and French, e.g. La Vita Nuova<\/em> by Dante, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by V. Hugo, Germinal by E. Zola, The Red and The Black by Stendhal and Dekameron<\/em> by G. Boccaccio. He published articles and essays on foreign literature and literary trends, e.g. the essay collection Prantsuse vaim<\/em> (\u2018The French Spirit\u2019, 1934). In his essays, he wrote about literature, theater, music, and art. He was the first to use Freudian analysis methodology in Estonian literary research (\u2018The Analysis of the Folklore and Motifs of Kalevipoeg\u2019, 1924). His cultural experience and well-read nature are evident in his travel writing as well, e.g. Risti-r\u00e4sti l\u00e4bi Euroopa<\/em> (\u2018Criss-Cross Through Europe\u2019, 1935).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A. K. (Translated by A. S.)<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Books in Estonian<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poems<\/em><\/strong>
Pierrot<\/strong>. Tallinn: Siuru, 1917, 78 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: 1919.]
J\u00e4ljed liival<\/strong>. Tartu: Odamees, 1919, 76 lk. [J\u00e4rgnevad tr\u00fckid: 1920, 1921.]
Maa ja mereveersed rytmid: luuletused 1920-1921<\/strong>. Tartu: Tarapita, 1922, 79 lk.
Viis meelt<\/strong>. Tartu: J. Semper, 1926, 126 lk.
P\u00e4ike rentslis<\/strong>. Tartu: Eesti Kirjanikkude Liit, 1930, 85 lk.
Tuuleratas<\/strong>. Tartu: Eesti Kirjanikkude Liit, 1936, 80 lk.
Ei vaikida saa: luuletusi 1941-1943<\/strong>. Moskva: ENSV Riiklik Kirjastus, 1943, 63 lk.
Valik luuletusi<\/strong>. Tallinn: Ilukirjandus ja Kunst, 1946, 290 lk.
Kuidas elaksid?<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1958, 98 lk.
Ei vaikida saa<\/strong>. Koostanud Endel S\u00f5gel. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1970, 56 lk.
Lehek\u00fclgi nagu lehti puult<\/strong>. L\u00f5petamata luuletustest valinud ja eess\u00f5na koostanud Paul Rummo. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1972, 112 lk.
Luuletused<\/strong>. Koostanud Ralf Parve. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1975, 208 lk [Sari: \u2018V\u00e4ike luuleraamat\u2019.]\u00a0
S\u00fcgise l\u00e4vel<\/strong>. Koostanud Ralf Parve. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1976, 70 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Novels<\/em><\/strong>
Armukadedus<\/strong>. Tartu: Noor-Eesti, 1934, 342 lk. [J\u00e4rgnevad tr\u00fckid: 1936, 1964.]
Kivi kivi peale<\/strong>. Tartu: Noor-Eesti, 1939, 407 lk. [J\u00e4rgnevad tr\u00fckid: 1947, 1963, 1982.]
Punased nelgid<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1955, 407 lk. [J\u00e4rgnevad tr\u00fckid: 1959, 1965.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short stories<\/em><\/strong>
Hiina kett<\/strong>. Tartu: Odamees, 1918, 124 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: 1924.]
Ellinor<\/strong>. Tartu: Loodus, 1927, 182 lk.
Sillatalad<\/strong>. Tartu: Eesti Kirjanikkude Liit, 1927, 145 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plays<\/em><\/strong>
Aja k\u00e4sk<\/strong>. Tallinn: Ilukirjandus ja Kunst, 1946, 91 lk.
Murrang<\/strong>. Tallinn: Ilukirjandus ja Kunst, 1949, 79 lk.
N\u00e4idendid<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1961, 216 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monographs, articles and essays<\/em><\/strong>
N\u00e4okatted<\/strong>. Esseede kogu. Tartu: Odamees, 1919, 102 lk.
Kalevipoja rahvaluulemotiivide anal\u00fc\u00fcs<\/strong>. Tartu: Noor-Eesti, 1924, 122 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: 1997.]
Meie kirjanduse teed<\/strong>. Kirjanduslikud arvustused. Tartu: Loodus, 1927, 194 lk.
Andr\u00e9 Gide\u2019i stiili struktuur<\/strong>. Tartu: Akadeemiline Kirjandus\u00fching, 1929, 97 lk.
Prantsuse vaim<\/strong>. Tartu: Noor-Eesti, 1934, 197 lk.
Teater iseseisva kunstialana<\/strong>. Artikleid ja esseid. Koostanud Lilian Vellerand. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1992, 203 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelogues<\/em><\/strong>
Risti-r\u00e4sti l\u00e4bi Euroopa<\/strong>. Tartu: Noor-Eesti, 1935, 319 lk.
L\u00f5una Risti all<\/strong>. Tartu: Eesti Kirjanikkude Liit, 1937, 259 lk.
M\u00f6\u00f6da maid ja meresid<\/strong>. Reisim\u00e4rkmeid. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1958, 419 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memoirs, diaries, correspondence<\/em><\/strong>
Matk minevikku 1<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1969, 319 lk.
P\u00e4evaraamatud<\/strong>. Tartu: Ilmamaa, 2013, 421 lk.<\/span><\/span>
Euroopa esteedid ja elul\u00e4hedus: Semperi ja Barbaruse kirjavahetus 1911-1940. 1. kd. (1911-1929)<\/strong>. Koostanud Paul Rummo. Tartu: EKM Teaduskirjastus, 2020, 575 lk.
Euroopa esteedid ja elul\u00e4hedus: Semperi ja Barbaruse kirjavahetus 1911-1940. 2. kd. (1930-1940)<\/strong>. Koostanud Paul Rummo. Tartu: EKM Teaduskirjastus, 2020, lk 581-1666.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collected works<\/em><\/strong>
Teosed. 1. k\u00f6ide. Luuletused<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1962, 360 lk.
Teosed. 2. k\u00f6ide. Kivi kivi peale<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1963, 320 lk.
Teosed. 3. k\u00f6ide. Armukadedus<\/strong>. Romaan. \u00d5ed; Umbrohi<\/strong>. Novellid. Tallinn: Eesti Riiklik Kirjastus, 1964, 303 lk.
Teosed. 4. k\u00f6ide. Punased nelgid<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1965, 432 lk.
Teosed. 5. k\u00f6ide. Reisikirjad<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1966, 524 lk.
Teosed. 6. k\u00f6ide. Novellid ja n\u00e4idendid<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1967, 484 lk.
Teosed. 7. k\u00f6ide. M\u00f5tter\u00e4nnakuid 1. Artikleid ja esseid<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1969, 458 lk.
Teosed. 8. k\u00f6ide. M\u00f5tter\u00e4nnakuid 2. Artikleid ja esseid<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1971, 412 lk.
Teosed. 9. k\u00f6ide. M\u00f5tter\u00e4nnakuid 3. Artikleid ja esseid<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1977, 480 lk.
Teosed. 10. k\u00f6ide. Luuler\u00e4nnakuid 1. Luulet\u00f5lkeid<\/strong>. Koostanud Nigol Andresen. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1975, 336 lk.
Teosed. 11. k\u00f6ide. Luuler\u00e4nnakuid 2. Luulet\u00f5lkeid<\/strong>. Koostanud Nigol Andresen. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1976, 368 lk.
Teosed. 12. k\u00f6ide. M\u00e4lestused<\/strong>. Koostanud ja j\u00e4rels\u00f5na Erna Siirak. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1978, 491 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Johannes Semper<\/em><\/strong>
<\/span><\/span>Johannes Semper elus ja kirjanduses<\/strong>. Kogumik. Koostanud Ilmar Sikem\u00e4e. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1967, 431 lk.
Erna Siirak, Johannes Semper. L\u00fchimonograafia<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1969, 255 lk. [Sari \u2018Eesti kirjamehi\u2019.]<\/span><\/span>
Merlin Kirikal, \u201eOlin lahti murdunud elule\u201c: modernse soo ja keha kujutamine Johannes Semperi teise maailmas\u00f5ja eelses loomingus<\/strong>. Tallinna \u00dclikool. Humanitaarteaduste dissertatsioonid 67. Tallinn: Tallinna \u00dclikool, 2021, 268 lk
Marit Karelson, Le temps d\u2019engagement dans les \u0153uvres d\u2019Andr\u00e9 Gide et de\u00a0Johannes\u00a0Semper: les univers fictionnels entre l\u2019\u00e9lan vital et la litt\u00e9rature engag\u00e9e<\/strong>. Tartu: Tartu University Press, 2023, 306 lk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Poems Novels Short stories About Johannes Semper \u00a0 Johannes Semper (pseudonyms Asm, Naatanael, 22.\/10. III 1892 \u2013 21. II 1970) was a poet, prose writer, playwright, translator, and critic. He was born in Paistu parish, Viljandi county. He studied at …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":0,"parent":697,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1826","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1826","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1826"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1826\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7170,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1826\/revisions\/7170"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}