{"id":361,"date":"2025-04-21T10:58:31","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T07:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/adson\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T11:37:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T08:37:46","slug":"adson","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/a\/adson\/","title":{"rendered":"Artur Adson"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Poems<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Non-fiction<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
About Artur Adson<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Artur Adson (3. II \/22. I 1889 \u2013 5. I 1977) was one of the best-known dialect poets in Estonia, as well as a playwright and critic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was born in Tartu, the son of a servant, and grew up with relatives in V\u014drumaa. He attended the Tartu school for orphans from 1895 to 1898, S\u00e4nna village school, V\u014dru county school from 1901 to 1907, the Pskov School of Surveying from 1907 to 1910 and the University of Tartu from 1925 to 1926. He worked as a surveyor in the Pskov governorate from 1910 to 1912 and at the Tallinn fortified naval base from 1915 to 1917, as secretary of the Tallinn Planning Committee from 1913 to 1915 and as secretary of the Catering Committee from 1917 to 1918, as an official of the Ministry of Agriculture and head of the Literature Commission at the Ministry of Education. He was a journalist on the newspaper P\u00e4evaleht<\/em> from 1920 to 1924 and in 1934-1935, a playwright at the Tallinn Drama Theatre in 1921-1922 and at the Vanemuine theatre in Tartu in 1924-1925, and was a film censor at the Ministry of Internal Affairs from 1935 to 1940. In 1939 Adson was awarded the Order of the White Star of the Republic of Estonia, IV class. During the German occupation he worked on the newspaper Maa S\u014dna<\/em>. In 1913 he got to know Marie Under, whom he married in 1924. In September 1944 he and Under escaped to Sweden, where in 1945 they settled in Stockholm by Lake M\u00e4laren; he worked in the archive of the Drottningholm Theatre Museum and in the Royal Library. Adson died in Stockholm and was buried in the Stockholm Woodland Cemetery. In 2016 the remains of Adson and Marie Under were reinterred at Rahum\u00e4e cemetery in Tallinn. Nowadays the private home whose construction was overseen by A. Adson at N\u014dmme in Tallinn serves as the museum section of the Under and Tuglas Literary Centre, part of the Estonian Academy of Sciences.<\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
Adson started writing poetry under Under\u2019s influence; the role of the Page attendant upon the Princess of the Siuru group became his lifelong passion. He took an active part in the Siuru and Tarapita literary circles, he worked for the Odamees publishing house and established a small publisher, Auringo. He was a member of the Estonian Writers\u2019 Union, the Estonian Playwrights\u2019 Union, the Tallinn Writers\u2019 Association and the Estonian Writers\u2019 Union Abroad, being on their boards of management. In 1974 he received the prize of the Estonian Cultural Foundation in the USA.<\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
Adson published collections of poetry in the V\u014dru dialect [of southern Estonia], Henge palango<\/em> (\u2018Burning of the Soul\u2019, 1917), Vana laterna<\/em> (\u2018The Old Lantern\u2019, 1919), Roosikrants<\/em> (\u2018The Rosary\u2019, 1920), Kaduvik<\/em> (\u2018Impermanence\u2019, 1921), Katai, kibuvits nink kivi<\/em> (\u2018The Juniper, the Brier and the Stone\u2019, 1928), P\u00e4rlij\u014dgi<\/em> (\u2018The Pearl River\u2019, 1931), and Lehek\u00fclg ajaraamatust<\/em> (\u2018A page from the Book of Time\u2019, 1937). In Sweden Adson published two volumes of verse: Rahum\u00e4e kannel<\/em> (\u2018The Rahum\u00e4e Lyre\u2019, 1973) and the selection V\u00e4rsivakk<\/em> (\u2018The Verse Bin\u2019, 1959). Adson\u2019s first collections reflect the idylls of his youth and the warmth of love, nuanced with gentle humour. From his third collection onward, social motifs and Expressionist notes are added; later, thoughts of transience and a depressive note spring up. Besides his elegiac lyricism, he takes up narrative poetry, and heartfelt ballads in the collection P\u00e4rlij\u014dgi.<\/em><\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
Adson also tried his hand as a playwright. The journal Looming published his Expressionist play L\u00e4heb m\u00f6\u00f6da<\/em> (\u2018Passing\u2019, 1923), followed by the verse dramas Toomap\u00e4ev<\/em> (\u2018St. Thomas\u2019 Day\u2019, 1928), and Neli kuningat<\/em> (\u2018Four Kings\u2019, 1931), depicting the ancient Estonians\u2019 struggle for freedom. The relationship between Koidula and Kreutzwald is portrayed in the drama Lauluisa ja kirjaneitsi<\/em> (\u2018Father of Song and Mistress of Letters\u2019, 1930). The contemporary scene is pictured in the dramas Kolmas tee<\/em> (\u2018The Third Way\u2019, 1932), \u00dcks tuvi lendab merele<\/em> (\u2018One Dove Flies Out to Sea\u2019, 1937), and the comedies of everyday life Iluduskuninganna<\/em> (\u2018The Beauty Queen\u2019, 1932), Elav kapital ehk, s\u014dber, laena 20 senti<\/em> (\u2018Living Capital, or, Buddy, Lend Me 20 Cents\u2019, 1934) and Karu l\u00e4heb mee l\u014dksu<\/em> (\u2018The Bear Goes into the Honey-trap\u2019, 1936). Adson\u2019s plays were all performed, some of them several times, but their artistic level does not equal his poetry. He published plenty of demanding theatre reviews, collected in the volume Vilet ja loorbereid<\/em> (\u2018Whistles and Laurels\u2019, 1938). He expounded on the story of the Estonian theatre in the books Das estnische Theater<\/em> (1933) and Teatriraamat<\/em> (\u2018The Theatre Book\u2019, 1958).<\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
In old age, Adson wrote his memoirs; Neli veskit<\/em> (\u2018Four Mills\u2019) and V\u00e4ikelinna moosekant<\/em> (\u2018Small-town Musician\u2019, 1946) nostalgically describe his childhood in V\u014drumaa; Ise idas \u2013 silmad l\u00e4\u00e4nes<\/em> (\u2018Myself in the East, My Eyes in the West\u2019, 1948) tells of his studies in Pskov and his first work in Russia; Siuru-raamat<\/em> (\u2018The Siuru Book\u2019, 1949) recalls literary life in Tallinn between 1913 and 1940, centred around Under. Reisiraamat<\/em> (\u2018The Travel Book\u2019, 1950) and Lahkumine<\/em> (\u2018Departure\u2019, 1951) reflect on the two poets\u2019 travels, their flight from their homeland and literary connections. Marie Underi eluraamat I-II<\/em> (\u2018The Life of Marie Under\u2019, 1974) presents recollections of Under by Adson and others, creative materials, criticism and reprints of commemorative publications.<\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
Adson also wrote some pieces for children, and translated from German and Russian: Bernhard Kellermann\u2019s Ingeborg<\/em>, Friedrich Hebbel\u2019s Judith<\/em>, Nikolai Gogol\u2019s Taras Bulba<\/em>, Boris Pasternak\u2019s Dr. Zhivago<\/em> and others. He left behind a considerable legacy of manuscripts, consisting of, apart from diaries and fragments of dramas, a substantial amount of correspondence: his letters to Friedebert Tuglas have been published (2011). Adson\u2019s poetry has stimulated the revival of V\u014dru-dialect literature today.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A. M. (Translated by C. M.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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

Poems<\/em><\/strong><\/span>
Arthur Adson, Henge palango<\/strong>. Tallinn: Siuru, 1917, 46 lk. [2., t\u00e4iendatud tr\u00fckk: 1920; 3. tr\u00fckk: 1921.]<\/span>
Arthur Adson, Wana laterna: laulu<\/strong>. Talliinan: Siuru, 1919, 63 lk. [2., t\u00e4iendatud tr\u00fckk: 1920.]<\/span>
Arthur Adson, Roosikrants<\/strong>, Talliinan: Varrak, 1920, 62 lk.<\/span>
Arthur Adson, Kaduwik<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Kirjanikkude Liit, 1927, 77 lk.<\/span>
Arthur Adson, Katai, kibuwits, nink kiwi: wiies kogu w\u00e4rsse<\/strong>. Tartu: Eesti Kirjanikkude Liit, 1928, 78 lk.<\/span>
Arthur Adson, P\u00e4rlij\u00f5gi: kuwwes kogu w\u00e4rsse<\/strong>. Tartu: Eesti Kirjanikkude Liit, 1931, 70 lk.<\/span>
Lehek\u00fclg ajaraamatust: (v\u00e4rsse 1931-1935)<\/strong>. Tartu: Eesti Kirjanike Liit, 1937, 63 lk.<\/span>
V\u00e4rsivakk: valik katsest vihust<\/strong>. Eess\u00f5na: Ivar Gr\u00fcnthal, autori illustratsioonid. Stokholm: Vaba Eesti, 1959, 191 lk.<\/span>
Rahum\u00e4e kannel<\/strong>. Autori illustratsioonid, Lund: Eesti Kirjanike Kooperatiiv, 1973, 71 lk.<\/span>
Artur Adson<\/strong>. Koostanud Oskar Kruus. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1990, 135 lk. [Sari \u2018V\u00e4ike luuleraamat\u2019.]<\/span>
Varjuliste puie all: luuletused = luul\u00f5tus\u00f5\u2019<\/strong>. Koostanud \u00d5nne Kepp, toimetanud \u00d5nne Kepp ja Tiia Allas, saates\u00f5nad \u00d5nne Kepp ja Tiia Allas. Tallinn; V\u00f5ru: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus, 2014, 535 lk.<\/span><\/span> [2. tr\u00fckk: 2021.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short stories<\/em><\/strong>
Arthur Adson, K\u00e4sikivi: kaksk\u00fcmmend pisilugu ja \u00fcks jutustus<\/strong>. Tallinn: Tallinna Eesti Kirjastus-\u00dchisus, 1922, 105 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plays<\/em><\/strong>
Arthur Adson, Toomap\u00e4ev: draama 3 vaatuses<\/strong>. Tartu: Loodus, 1928, 78 lk.
Arthur Adson, Lauluisa ja Kirjaneitsi: n\u00e4idend kolmes vaatuses<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Haridusliit, 1930, 66 lk.
Neli kuningat: vaatem\u00e4ng neljateistk\u00fcmnendast sajandist 4 vaatuses (12 pildis)<\/strong>. Tallinn: T. Mutsu, 1931, 48 lk.
Peeter Bollmann, Kolmas tee: draama 4 vaatuses (5 j\u00e4rgus)<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Haridusliit, 1932, 154 lk.
Iluduskuninganna: kom\u00f6\u00f6dia 3 vaatuses<\/strong>. Tallinn: T. Mutsu, 1933, 65 lk.
Elav kapital, ehk, S\u00f5ber laena 20 senti: rahvat\u00fckk 3 vaatuses<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Haridusliit, 1934, 163 lk.
Karu l\u00e4heb mee l\u00f5ksu: kom\u00f6\u00f6dia kolmes vaatuses (1 vaat. 2-es j\u00e4rgus)<\/strong>. Tallinn: Autorikaitse \u00dching, 1936, 122 lk.
\u00dcks tuvi lendab merele: n\u00e4idend 3 vaatuses<\/strong>. Tallinn: Autorikaitse \u00dching, 1937, 123 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children\u2019s books<\/em><\/strong>
Nakits: lugu v\u00e4ikesest l\u00f5busast ja targast koerast p\u00e4risnoortele, kes lugusid armastavad, ja v\u00e4hemnoortele, kes \u00fctlemise viisist lugu peavad. Kirja pannud S\u00e4nna trubaduur ehk p\u00e4risnimega Artur Adson; piltidega kaunistanud Liida J\u00fcrisson<\/strong>. Tallinn: Eesti Kirjastus, 1944, 68 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1993.]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memoirs<\/em><\/strong>
Neli veskit: m\u00e4lestusi olnud aegadest, kohatud inimestest ja k\u00e4idud paikadest. Sajas miniatuuris jutustanud Artur Adson<\/strong>. Vadstena: Orto, 1946, 220 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: \u2018Neli veskit; V\u00e4ikelinna moosekant; Ise idas \u2013 silmad l\u00e4\u00e4nes\u2019, Tallinn: Eesti P\u00e4evaleht, 2010, 528 lk.]
V\u00e4ikelinna moosekant: m\u00e4lestusi V\u00f5ru linnast sajandi algul<\/strong>. Vadstena: Orto, 1946, 253 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: \u2018Neli veskit; V\u00e4ikelinna moosekant; Ise idas \u2013 silmad l\u00e4\u00e4nes\u2019, Tallinn: Eesti P\u00e4evaleht, 2010, 528 lk.]
Ise idas \u2013 silmad l\u00e4\u00e4nes: m\u00e4lestusi 1905. a. revolutsiooni ja esimese maailmas\u00f5ja vaheaastaist<\/strong>. Vadstena: Orto, 1948, 293 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: \u2018Neli veskit; V\u00e4ikelinna moosekant; Ise idas \u2013 silmad l\u00e4\u00e4nes\u2019, Tallinn: Eesti P\u00e4evaleht, 2010, 528 lk.]
Siuru-raamat<\/strong>. Vadstena: Orto, 1949, 262 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: Tallinn: T\u00e4nap\u00e4ev, 2007, 358 lk.]
Reisiraamat<\/strong>. G\u00f6teborg: Orto, 1950, 307 lk.
Lahkumine: \u00fclest\u00e4hendusi viimasest aastatosinast<\/strong>. Toronto: Orto, 1951, 204 lk. [2. tr\u00fckk: Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1994, 133 lk.]
Kadunud maailm: pilte kaugemast ja l\u00e4hemast minevikust<\/strong>. Toronto: Orto, 1954, 296 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other non-fiction<\/em><\/strong>
Vilet ja loorbereid: kaksk\u00fcmmend aastat eesti teatrit j\u00e4lgimas<\/strong>. Tartu; Tallinn: Loodus, 1938, 280 lk.
Teatriraamat: ajalugu ja isiklikke kogemusi<\/strong>. Stockholm: Vaba Eesti, 1958, 230 lk.
Artur Adson, Friedebert Tuglas, Paa\u017ei ja Felixi kirjavahetus 1917-1944<\/strong>. Koostanud ja kommenteerinud August Eelm\u00e4e; toimetanud ja kommentaare t\u00e4iendanud \u00dclle Kurs ja \u00d5nne Kepp; kujundanud Jaan Kl\u00f5\u0161eiko. Tallinn: Underi ja Tuglase Kirjanduskeskus, 2011, 614 lk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Poems Non-fiction About Artur Adson Artur Adson (3. II \/22. I 1889 \u2013 5. I 1977) was one of the best-known dialect poets in Estonia, as well as a playwright and critic. He was born in Tartu, the son of …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":0,"parent":485,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-361","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/361","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=361"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7038,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/361\/revisions\/7038"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}