August Kitzberg facts for kids
August Kitzberg (29 December [O.S. 17 December] 1855 in Laatre Parish, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire – 10 October 1927 in Tartu) was a famous Estonian writer. He wrote many plays and stories that are still enjoyed today. He is known for his funny village stories and later for plays that explored important social topics.
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About August Kitzberg
August Kitzberg was born in a place called Laatre Parish in Estonia. Until 1863, his last name was Kits. He grew up on a farm called Niitsaadu in Penuja village from 1857 to 1871. His brother, Jaak Kits, was a schoolteacher there.
August Kitzberg worked for a while in Viljandi and also in what is now Latvia. In 1901, he moved to Tartu. There, he became a manager for the newspaper Postimees.
Kitzberg's Writing Journey
When August Kitzberg first started writing, he created comedies and funny stories about life in small villages. These stories often made people laugh.
After moving to Tartu, Kitzberg began working with Karl Menning at the Vanemuine Theatre. This experience changed his writing style. His plays started to include "social criticism." This means his plays began to highlight and question problems or issues in society.
Today, you can find a monument and a museum dedicated to August Kitzberg in Karksi-Nuia. His play, Tuulte pöörises (which means "In the Whirlwind"), was chosen as the very first play performed when the Rakvere Theatre opened in 1940.
Kitzberg's Works
August Kitzberg wrote many different kinds of works, including plays, stories, and even his own memories.
Famous Plays
Kitzberg wrote many plays for the stage. Some of his well-known plays include:
- Punga–Mart ja Uba-Kaarel (1894)
- Sauna Antsu "oma" hobune (1894)
- Tuulte pöörises (1906)
- Libahunt (1911/12): This play is very famous and was even made into a movie in 1968. A ballet called Tiina by Lydia Auster is also based on this story.
- Kaval-Ants ja Vanapagan (1912): This play features characters from Estonian folklore.
- Kauka jumal (1915)
Interesting Stories
Besides plays, Kitzberg also wrote many stories.
- Maimu (1889)
- Külajutud (Village Stories): This was a collection of five books published between 1915 and 1921.
- Tiibuse Jaak Tiibuse kirjavahetus: This was a two-volume work published in 1920 and 1923, written under the pen name Tiibuse Jaak Tiibus.
Personal Memoirs
August Kitzberg also wrote about his own life and memories.
- Vana "tuuletallaja" noorpõlve mälestused (Memories of a Young "Wind-Rider"): This was a two-volume book published in 1924 and 1925, sharing stories from his younger years.
