Jaan Lattik facts for kids
Jaan Lattik (born October 22, 1878, in Karula Parish, Estonia – died June 27, 1967, in Stockholm, Sweden) was an important Estonian person. He was a politician, a writer, and served as a Minister of Education and Minister of Foreign Affairs for Estonia.
Jaan Lattik was a pastor, which is a type of religious leader. He studied theology, which is the study of religious beliefs, at Tartu University. Besides his work as a pastor and politician, he also wrote many stories for children. These stories were special because they were written in the Võro dialect, a unique language from southern Estonia.
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Early Life and Education
Jaan Lattik was born in 1878 in a place called Karula Parish in Estonia. He grew up and later went to Tartu University. There, he focused on studying theology. This education helped him become a pastor, a role he held for many years.
A Voice for Children: His Writing
Beyond his political and religious work, Jaan Lattik had a special talent for writing. He loved to create stories, especially for young readers. His children's stories were written in the Võro dialect. This helped keep the local language and culture alive through his fun tales.
Jaan Lattik's Political Journey
Jaan Lattik was very involved in Estonian politics. He was part of Estonia's group that went to the League of Nations in 1921. The League of Nations was an organization that tried to keep peace between countries.
Serving as a Minister
Lattik held several important jobs in the Estonian government.
- In 1925, he became the Estonian Minister of Education. In this role, he helped guide how children and young people learned in Estonia.
- From 1928 to 1931, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. This meant he was in charge of Estonia's relationships with other countries around the world.
Diplomatic Work
In September 1939, Jaan Lattik became an envoy to Lithuania. An envoy is like a special representative or ambassador from one country to another. He worked there until July 1940, when he was called back to Estonia.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1944, during World War II, Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union. To stay safe, Jaan Lattik had to leave his home country. He moved to Sweden and lived there for the rest of his life. He passed away in Stockholm in 1967.
In 2008, many years after his death, Jaan Lattik's body was moved. He was reburied in Viljandi's Old Graveyard in Estonia. This was done because his family wished for him to rest in his home country.
Family Connections
Jaan Lattik's daughter, Helice Alice (who lived from 1911 to 1988), married Viktor Päts in 1932. Viktor was the son of Konstantin Päts, who was a very important leader in Estonia's history.
