{"id":2040,"date":"2024-04-03T23:42:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T20:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/unt\/"},"modified":"2024-04-04T00:05:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T21:05:34","slug":"unt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/u\/unt\/","title":{"rendered":"Mati Unt"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tNovels<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\"Mati<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tShort stories<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tPlays<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNon-fiction<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tAbout Mati Unt<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Mati Unt (1944\u20132005) was an Estonian writer, stage director and journalist. His prose and theatre works are considered some of the most innovative, original and influential expressions of modernist and postmodernist aesthetics in Estonian culture.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tUnt was from Voore parish in Tartu County. He moved to Tartu to attend Tartu 8th Secondary School, and from 1962\u20131972 he studied Estonian philology at Tartu University, specialising in journalism. Unt emerged onto the literary scene at the age of 18, when he published his first work of prose \u2013 the novel \u2018Farewell, Yellow Cat\u2019 \u2013 in his school yearbook. While writing his subsequent works, he became increasingly involved in theatre: he worked as a dramaturge for Vanemuine Theatre from 1966\u201372 and for the Estonian Youth Theatre (now Tallinn City Theatre) from 1974\u201381; he became the stage director for the Estonian Youth Theatre in 1979 and from 1992 onwards he staged plays in the Estonian Drama Theatre while also collaborating with other theatres, e.g. the Russian Theatre of Estonia, Vanemuine, the Finnish National Theatre and Von Krahl Theatre.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tHis first three works \u2013 H\u00fcvasti, kollane kass<\/em> (\u2018Farewell, Yellow Cat\u2019, 1963), and the short stories V\u00f5lg<\/em> (\u2018The Debt\u2019, 1964) and Elu v\u00f5imalikkusest kosmoses<\/em> (\u2018On the Possibility of Life in Space\u2019, 1967) \u2013 depict contemporary life through the worldview of young, idealistic and sensitive characters. The works were exceptionally frank for the literary scene of the time and sparked moral debate. Modernist aesthetics are further elaborated in his subsequent works: the existential novel M\u00f5rv hotellis<\/em> (\u2018Murder in a Hotel\u2019, 1969), and short stories such as T\u00fchirand. Love story<\/em> (\u2018An Empty Beach\u2019, 1972), which is in the form of an interior monologue, and Via Regia<\/em> (1975), which touches on theatre innovation. Postmodern features begin to appear in Unt\u2019s popular and widely translated work S\u00fcgisball<\/em>\u00a0(\u2018Autumn Ball\u2019, 1979), which observes urban life and its impact on the residents of Mustam\u00e4e, and become more marked in the short stories Kuuvarjutus<\/em> (\u2018Lunar Eclipse\u2019, 1984) and R\u00e4\u00e4givad<\/em> (\u2018They Speak\u2019, 1984). With the appearance of postmodern poetics, close scrutiny of the scope of human emotions decreases, playfulness with texts borrowed from non-fiction and literary classics increases, and the splicing of narrative with metafictional musings becomes denser. Elements of postmodern poetics are most noticeable in the two 1990 novels \u00d6\u00f6s on asju<\/em> (\u2018Things in the Night\u2019) and Doonori meelespea<\/em> (\u2018Diary of a Blood Donor\u2019), and in the novel Brecht ilmub \u00f6\u00f6sel<\/em> (\u2018Brecht at Night\u2019, 1997) where the everyday and the mythological are intertwined in such a way that new meanings grow out of them, a kind of mythology of everyday life. Unt took the same line in journalism, contributing essayistic pieces on everyday subjects which also appeared in collections. A selection of his writing on literary theory and criticism was compiled in the book Ma ei olnud imelaps<\/em> (\u2018I Was not a Prodigy\u2019, 1990).<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tUnt introduced the work of Western theorists into the world of Estonian theatre, thus facilitating the modernisation of local theatre discourse. His first play See maailm v\u00f5i teine<\/em> (\u2018This World or Another\u2019), with its focus on the self-awareness and the social awareness of a modern youth, was staged in Vanemuine in 1966. Unt also addressed myths and archetypes in his plays (e.g. the play Phaeton, p\u00e4ikese poeg<\/em> \u2013 \u2018Phaeton, the Son of the Sun\u2019) and combined facts from cultural history with fictions (e.g. Vaimude tund Jannseni t\u00e4naval<\/em> \u2013 \u2018The Witching Hour in Jannseni Street\u2019). The play Good-bye, baby<\/em> (staged in the Estonian Youth Theatre in 1975) binds thirteen scenes into the theme of departure. Unt has also dramatized the works of world classics (e.g. Pinter, Goethe, Strindberg, Genet) and Estonian literature (e.g. A. H. Tammsaare, O. Luts, F. Tuglas). His theatre texts and dramatizations are characterized by the same features as his short stories and novels: innovative for their time, and rich in mystical-mythical allusions, inter- and metatextual games, and subtle (self)irony.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tI. S. (Translated by M. M.-K.)<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n\tNovels<\/em><\/strong>
H\u00fcvasti, kollane kass. Naiivne romaan<\/strong>. Tartu, 1963, 303 lk. [J\u00e4rgnevad tr\u00fckid: 1967, 1985, 2008, 2008 (Kogutud teosed, 1).]
S\u00fcgisball. Stseenid linnaelust<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1979, 184 lk. [J\u00e4rgnevad tr\u00fckid: 1985, 2009, 2009 (Kogutud teosed, 4).]
\u00d6\u00f6s on asju<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1990, 221 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: 2010.]
Doonori meelespea<\/strong>. Tallinn: Kupar, 1990, 188 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: 2010.]
\u201eTere, kollane kass!\u201c<\/strong>. Tallinn: Kupar, 1992, 141 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: 2008.]
Brecht ilmub \u00f6\u00f6sel. Brecht bricht ein in der Nacht<\/strong>. Tallinn: Kupar, 1997, 285 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: 2011.]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tShort stories<\/em><\/strong>
Elu v\u00f5imalikkusest kosmoses<\/strong>. Tallinn: Perioodika (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 1967, 61 lk.<\/span>
H\u00fcvasti, kollane kass. V\u00f5lg<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1967, 215 lk. [Romaan, jutustus.]<\/span>
M\u00f5rv hotellis; Phaethon, P\u00e4ikese poeg<\/strong>. Tallinn: Perioodika (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 1969, 126 lk. [Jutustus, n\u00e4idend.]
Kuu nagu kustuv p\u00e4ike. Valik aastatest 1964\u20131970<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1971, 216 lk. [Sisu: \u2019Muljed ja juhtumid\u2019, \u2019Elu v\u00f5imalikkusest kosmoses\u2019, \u2019M\u00f5rv hotellis\u2019 (jutustused), \u2019Phaethon, p\u00e4ikese poeg\u2019 (n\u00e4idend).]
Via regia<\/strong>. Tallinn: Perioodika (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 1975, 62 lk.
Mattias ja Kristiina<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1974, 168 lk.
Must mootorrattur<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1976, 192 lk.
R\u00e4\u00e4givad<\/strong>. Tallinn: Perioodika (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 1984, 78 lk.
R\u00e4\u00e4givad ja vaikivad<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1986, 204 lk. [Jutustused; \u2019Vaimude tund Jannseni t\u00e4naval\u2019 (n\u00e4idend).]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tPlays<\/em><\/strong>
M\u00f5rv hotellis; Phaethon, P\u00e4ikese poeg<\/strong>. Tallinn: Perioodika (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 1969, 126 lk. [Jutustus, n\u00e4idend.]
Kuu nagu kustuv p\u00e4ike. Valik aastatest 1964\u20131970<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1971, 216 lk. [Sisu: \u2019Muljed ja juhtumid\u2019, \u2019Elu v\u00f5imalikkusest kosmoses\u2019, \u2019M\u00f5rv hotellis\u2019 (jutustused), \u2019Phaethon, p\u00e4ikese poeg\u2019 (n\u00e4idend).]
R\u00e4\u00e4givad ja vaikivad<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1986, 204 lk. [Jututustused, \u2019Vaimude tund Jannseni t\u00e4naval\u2019 (n\u00e4idend).]
Huntlus<\/strong>. Teoseid Oskar Lutsu motiividel. Tallinn: Kupar, 1999, 246 lk.
Graal! Eepos Von Krahli Teatrile 74 stseenis<\/strong>. Tallinn: Perioodika (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 2001, lk 102 lk.
Vend Antigone, ema Oidipus. Sophoklese ja Euripidese trag\u00f6\u00f6diate j\u00e4rgi Mati Unt<\/strong>. Tallinn: Kultuurileht (Loomingu Raamatukogu), 2006, 93 lk.
Meister ja Margarita. Mihhail Bulgakovi samanimelise romaani motiividel<\/strong>. Kose: R. Visnapuu, 2011, 60 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNon-fiction<\/em><\/strong>
Kuradid ja kuningad. Teatri- ja filmikirjutisi aastaist 1965\u20131980<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1989, 245 lk.
Ma ei olnud ilmelaps<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1990, 205 lk.
Argim\u00fctoloogia s\u00f5nastik 1983\u20131993<\/strong>. Tallinn: Kupar, 1993, 220 lk.
Vastne argim\u00fctoloogia<\/strong>. Tallinn: Vagabund, 1996, 125 lk.
Sirise, sirise, sirbike. Sirbim\u00fctoloogiad 1997-2002<\/strong>. Tallinn: Sirp, 2003, lk 166.
Theatrum mundi<\/strong>. Tartu: Ilmamaa, 2004, 389 lk. [Sarjas \u2019Eesti m\u00f5ttelugu\u2019.]<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSelected and collected works<\/em><\/strong>
Valitud teosed, 1<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1985, 415 lk. [Sisu: \u2019H\u00fcvasti, kollane kass\u2019, \u2019V\u00f5lg\u2019, \u2019Elu v\u00f5imalikkusest kosmoses\u2019, \u2019Phaethon, p\u00e4ikese poeg\u2019, \u2019M\u00f5rv hotellis\u2019, \u2019Viimnep\u00e4ev\u2019, \u2019T\u00fchirand\u2019.]
Valitud teosed. 2<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1985, 431 lk. [\u2019Mattias ja Kristiina\u2019, \u2019Via Regia\u2019, \u2019Good-Bye, Baby\u2019, \u2019Gulliver ja Gulliver\u2019, \u2019Peaproov\u2019, \u2019Ja kui me surnud ei ole, siis elame praegugi\u2019, \u2019Kollontai\u2019, \u2019S\u00fcgisball\u2019.]
Kogutud teosed. 1<\/strong>. Tartu: Hermes, 2008, 359 lk. [\u2019H\u00fcvasti, kollane kass\u2019, \u2019\u201cTere, kollane kass!\u201c\u2019.]
Kogutud teosed. 2<\/strong>. Tartu: Hermes, 2008, 239 lk. [\u2019V\u00f5lg\u2019, \u2019Elu v\u00f5imalikkusest kosmoses\u2019, \u2019M\u00f5rv hotellis\u2019.]
Kogutud teosed. 3<\/strong>. Tartu: Hermes, 2009, 382 lk. [\u2019T\u00fchirand\u2019; \u2019Minu teatriglossaarium\u2019; \u2019Via regia\u2019; \u2019Mattias ja Kristiina\u2019; \u2019Ja kui me surnud ei ole, siis elame praegugi\u2019; \u2019Ja kui me surnud ei ole\u2026 (algvariant)\u2019.]
Kogutud teosed. 4<\/strong>. Tartu: Hermes, 2009, 350 lk. [\u2019S\u00fcgisball\u2019; \u2019Kuuvarjutus\u2019; \u2019R\u00e4\u00e4givad\u2019.]
Kogutud teosed. 5<\/strong>. Tartu: Hermes, 2010, 406 lk. [\u2019\u00d6\u00f6s on asju\u2019, \u2019Doonori meelespea\u2019.]
Kogutud teosed. 6<\/strong>. Tartu: Hermes, 2011, 279 lk. [\u2019Brecht ilmub \u00f6\u00f6sel\u2019.]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Novels Short stories Plays Non-fiction About Mati Unt Mati Unt (1944\u20132005) was an Estonian writer, stage director and journalist. His prose and theatre works are considered some of the most innovative, original and influential expressions of modernist and postmodernist aesthetics …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":0,"parent":720,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2040","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2040","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=2040"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3045,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2040\/revisions\/3045"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}