Juhan Viiding 
Author

Poems

Original

Übersetzung

Vaimuelu estonian

Translations: no de

to poem

Soov estonian

Translations: no

to poem

***[ma alles noor kuid ühest-teisest väsind] estonian

Translations: no

to poem

Tuleb ette estonian

Translations: no de

to poem

***[Jääb liikumatult suvisesse sooja] estonian

Translations: no

to poem

***[Eluaeg olen tahtnud õue] estonian

Translations: de en nl

to poem

***[Mis on see luuletaja luule] estonian

Translations: de en is sco

to poem

Vana mehe laul estonian

Translations: de nl el

to poem

Terveks suureks suveks valgeks jäingi estonian

Translations: de nl

to poem

Kõrges rohus suures rahus tillukene mees estonian

Translations: de en

to poem

Me teeme, teeme estonian

Translations: en fi

to poem

Juhan Viiding 
Author

photo © EFA
* 01.06.1948, Tallinn, Estonia
† 21.02.1995, Estonia
Juhan Viiding (1948–1995) was a professional actor in the Estonian Drama Theatre, acting in several important roles (Peer Gynt, Hamlet etc), wrote film scripts, staged and played in films as well. And, he was one of the most important and most playful poets in the 20th century in Estonia, publishing his most well-known works under the pen-name Jüri Üdi. Jüri Üdi was the principal mould for poetic language for a whole generation; he revolutionised the language of Estonian poetry.

photo © EFA
Juhan Viiding’s poetry was born of the conditions of historical injustice, stagnation of society and censorship. Allegory and reading between the lines are two keywords reading his poetry. He debuted semi-underground with The Song of a Realistic Angel (1968). In his lines – as well as on the stage – he was light, with lambent wit, radiant, at the same time painfully serious and tense, fighting for the personal freedom of everybody.

His expressive manner of reading and singing his poetry made him a living legend. He is the father of Elo Viiding, one of the most interesting poets of contemporary Estonia.
Publications

  • Detsember

    (December, as Jüri Üdi)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1971

  • Käekäik

    (Well-being; as Jüri Üdi)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Perioodika, 1973

  • Selges eesti keeles

    (In Plain Estonian, as Jüri Üdi)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1974

  • Armastuskirjad

    (Love Letters, as Jüri Üdi)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Perioodika, 1975

  • Ma olin Jüri Üdi

    (I Was Jüri Üdi)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1978

  • Elulootus

    (Hope of Life)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1980

  • Tänan ja palun

    (Blessing and Pleading)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1983

  • Osa

    (A Part)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1991

  • Kogutud luuletused

    (Collected Poems)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Tuum, 1998; 2008; 2023

  • Tiibadega raamat

    (A Book with Wings)

    poetry

    Tallinn: Tänapäev, 2007

  • Realistliku ingli laul

    (The Song of a Realistic Angel, as Jüri Üdi in 1968)

    poetry

Awards

  • 1978 Ants Lauter Actor Award

  • 1984 Juhan Smuul Award (Annual Poetry Award)

  • 1985 Juhan Liiv Poetry Award

Links