Aleksanteri Aava facts for kids
Aleksanteri Aava, whose birth name was Aleksanteri (Santeri) Kuparinen, was a Finnish poet and a smallholder. He was born on April 18, 1883, and passed away on March 11, 1956. Aava is remembered for his poetry and his life as a farmer.
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Early Life and Education
Aleksanteri Aava was born in a place called Sakkola, which was part of the Grand Duchy of Finland at the time. His father, Matti Juhonpoika Kuparinen, was a farmer and also worked with leather as a tanner. His mother was Emilia Martintytär Karvanen.
Aava went to elementary school and later finished his studies at a folk high school in Uusikirkko in 1901. Folk high schools are places where people can continue learning about many different subjects, often focusing on practical skills and community life.
Life as a Smallholder and Poet
After his schooling, Aleksanteri Aava worked as a smallholder in Sakkola until 1939. A smallholder is someone who owns and farms a small piece of land. Besides farming, he was also involved in his local community. He was a member of the Sakkola Town Council, which means he helped make decisions for his town.
Aava married Helena Riikonen in 1911. They had seven children together: Kauko, Arvo, Aune Emilia, Kerttu, Jouko, Toivo Santeri, and Vuokko Sisko.
Challenges During Wartime
Life changed significantly for Aava and his family during the wars. After the Winter War, which was a conflict between Finland and the Soviet Union, Aava's family had to leave their home. They moved to a village called Mikkolanniemi in Saari, located in South Karelia. Aleksanteri Aava spent the rest of his life there.
Tragically, two of his oldest sons, Kauko and Arvo, passed away during the Continuation War. This war took place between 1941 and 1944.
Achievements and Recognition
Aleksanteri Aava received an important award for his writing. He was given the State Prize for his collection of poems titled Musta lintu, which means "black bird." This book was published in 1917.
Years later, in 1961, a special tribute was made to Aava. A bust of him was created by an artist named Otto Pursiainen. This sculpture was placed in Lempäälä to honor his memory and contributions.
