Artur Alliksaar facts for kids

Artur Alliksaar (born April 15, 1923, in Tartu, Estonia – died August 12, 1966, in Tartu) was a famous Estonian poet. He is known for his unique and free-spirited poems that celebrated personal freedom. Even though many of his works were published after his death, he became a very important figure in Estonian literature.

Artur Alliksaar's Early Life and Education

Artur Alliksaar, whose family name was originally Alnek, started elementary school in Tartu in 1931. In 1937, he went to a well-known high school called the Hugo Treffner Gymnasium. After finishing school, he worked for the railway for a short time in 1942, just like his father. In the same year, he began studying law at the University of Tartu.

Challenges During Wartime

From 1943 to 1944, Artur Alliksaar was part of the Estonian Legion during World War II. He fought on the Eastern Front against the Red Army in 1944. After the Soviet Union took control of Estonia, he joined a secret group called the Forest Brothers. These were people who resisted the new government.

Life After the War

Artur Alliksaar eventually returned to Tartu and worked for the railway again. However, he faced many difficulties. In 1949, the Soviet authorities arrested him. He believed the charges were unfair and politically motivated. In 1954, he faced more accusations.

When he was released in 1957, Alliksaar was not allowed to return to Estonia right away. He had to live in the Vologda region of Russia. In 1958, he secretly came back to Tartu. He worked in different jobs, including at a brewery, in construction, and again for the railway. During this time, he also spent a lot of effort on his creative writing.

Artur Alliksaar went through a lot of hardship. His home was even burned down, and he had to live in a small shed. Despite these tough times, he continued to write. He died in 1966 from colon cancer.

Artur Alliksaar's Poetry and Plays

Artur Alliksaar's poems are special because they celebrate individual freedom. His writing was new and often questioned the world around him. He mostly wrote in a style called free verse, which means his poems didn't always follow strict rules for rhythm or rhyme. His language was very creative and full of clever wordplay.

Many people admire Alliksaar's work. His writing is described as passionate and bold. Even though only a few of his poems were published while he was alive, he was still well-known. He wrote one play called Nimetu Saar (which means Nameless Island), and he saw it published before he died. A full collection of his poems, called Päikesepillaja (Lavishing Sunshine), was published in 1997 and became a bestseller. He also translated poems by other writers.