Eduard Vilde Estonian writer Date of Birth: 04.03.1865 Country: Estonia

Biography of Eduard Vilde

Born into a peasant family, Eduard Vilde was an Estonian writer. He spent his childhood and youth in a village. After completing elementary school, he continued his education at a county school where the language of instruction was German. The German "Baltic German" spirit, disdain for Estonians from peasant backgrounds, conflicts with teachers and superiors made the young man leave school and return to the village. That marked the end of his formal education, but he continued to educate himself. It was there, in the village, that he wrote his first short story, "On the Criminal Path." The following year, the aspiring writer received an invitation to collaborate with the Tallinn newspaper "Virulane." Thus began Eduard Vilde's 20-year career as a journalist in Estonian and German newspapers. His early stories, such as "Lina Mai," "Fairground Guys," "Secret Connections," and "Two Fingers," marked the birth of realistic prose. His talent and diligence were remarkable. Often, he was solely responsible for preparing and publishing the newspaper. Yet, he still found time for his own literary work. He usually wrote his works at night, and in the morning, what he had written overnight went straight to typesetting for the newspaper and books. This is how books such as "Into a Harsh Land," "War in Mahtre," "Wanderers from Ania," and "The Prophet Maltsvet" were written, among many others. All of them had undeniable artistic value and were successful among readers. The writer's works had a social character, aimed against the oppression of Estonian peasants by German feudal lords. This, for example, is reflected in the chapter titles of "War in Mahtre" ("Might is Right" - Ch. 18) and ("Power is Law" - Ch. 19). In 1897-1898, Vilde edited the newspaper "Virmaline" in Narva. He often visited the factories of the Kreenholm Manufacture, getting acquainted with the labor and life of the workers. All this found its reflection in the novel "Iron Hands." The work was written in Narva and about Narva, written quite quickly, in just two months. In early 1898, the first 2.5 chapters appeared in the newspaper. They generated lively interest and response from the workers. However, factory owners and officials turned against the author, initiating a police investigation and surveillance. Due to persecution, Eduard Vilde was forced to leave Estonia.

Cities passed by: Moscow, Helsinki, Berlin. The events of 1905 found him in Tartu, where he actively participated in them. Police persecution led to another period of emigration. This time it lasted for 12 years. Behind him were St. Petersburg - Helsinki - Stockholm - Copenhagen - Switzerland - Helsinki - Copenhagen - Nuremberg - Berlin - Munich - Stuttgart - Vienna - New York. Finally, he settled in Copenhagen, where he lived until 1917. The events of 1905 and subsequent years found reflection in a whole series of stories: "Man of the Law," "The List," "Grisha's Strange Dream," and "Sveaborg."

The writer's works had a positive influence on the theatrical life of Estonia. He wrote plays for the theater, including "The Inexplicable Miracle," "The House Spirit," and "Connections." Vilde's dream was to make the theater truly popular. His poem about the opening of the Tartu theater "Vanemuine" in 1906 is filled with sarcasm and resentment:

Looking around in this temple,
In the boxes, chairs, by the tables,
What did I see? What did I see?
Ladies in velvet and silk,
Coats just off the needle,
Round bellies. Round bellies!
But where is the one who rightfully
Deserves this good, this glory -
Where is our people?
Where is our people?
He is outside the door, on the threshold,
A beggar, in ragged clothes,
Like an uninvited guest.
Like an uninvited guest!

The events of February 1917 allowed the writer to return to Estonia, where he was offered diplomatic work in Germany. However, he left this service in 1920 and focused on literary work. He had to prepare a complete 33-volume collection of his works for publication. His heart played tricks on him.

From 1925 to 1927, Eduard Vilde lived, worked, and received treatment in Narva-Jõesuu.

In his last public appearance in 1933, Eduard Vilde dedicated his speech to the call to fight fascism. He passed away on December 26, 1933, in Tallinn at the age of 69.

Eduard Vilde devoted his work and talent as a writer, fighter, internationalist, and public figure to Estonia and its people. He loved his people and faithfully served them. He loved Estonia. He only left it out of necessity.

Grateful Estonia honors the memory of its son. In the center of Tallinn, on a high ground, stands a monument to the writer in the form of an open book with depictions of characters from his stories and novels.