Juhan Smuul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juhan Smuul
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Monument to Juhan Smuul
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| Born | Johannes Schmuul February 18, 1922 Koguva, Estonia |
| Died | April 13, 1971 (aged 49) Tallinn, Estonia |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist |
| Nationality | Estonian |
| Notable works | Jäine raamat (The Frozen Book) |
| Notable awards | People's Writer of the Estonian SSR (1965) |
| Spouse |
Ita Saks
(m. 1945; div. 1951)Debora Vaarandi
(m. 1952) |
Juhan Smuul (born February 18, 1922, died April 13, 1971) was a famous writer from Estonia. Before 1954, his name was Johannes Schmuul. He was one of the most well-known writers in Soviet Estonia.
Smuul was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Communist Party of Estonia. He also served in important government groups like the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. He was also the head of the Estonian Writers' Union.
About Juhan Smuul's Life
Juhan Smuul was born in a village called Koguva. This village is on the island of Muhu in Estonia. His parents were Jüri and Ruudu Schmuul. He had several sisters and half-siblings.
His Writing Career
Smuul wrote many books and stories. Many of his stories were about life on his home island of Muhu. He also wrote travel books about his journeys.
His most famous book is called The Frozen Book (Jäine raamat). This book is about a Soviet trip to Antarctica. Juhan Smuul also wrote four screenplays for movies and TV shows:
- Kirjad Sõgedate külast (1966)
- Keskpäevane praam (1967)
- Metskapten (1971)
- Siin me oleme! (1978) (TV)
Smuul was also a journalist in Soviet Estonia. He passed away in Tallinn.
Awards and Recognition
Juhan Smuul received many important awards for his writing. In 1965, he was named the People's Writer of the Estonian SSR. He also won the Stalin Prize in 1952. Later, he received the Lenin Prize in 1961 and the Order of Lenin in 1967.
In 1972, a special literary award was named after him. It became known as the Juhan Smuul literary award.
Today, you can visit his family home. It is called the Tooma farm (Estonian: Tooma talu) and is now a museum. Some streets in Estonia are named after him. A part of the city of Kuressaare is also named in his honor.
In 1972, a special sculpture of Smuul was placed on the Writers' House in Tallinn. This sculpture was created by Matti Varik and Allan Murdmaa.
In recent years, some information about Smuul's past became known. It was found that he was involved in a difficult historical event in 1949. This event involved moving many Estonians from their homes. In 2024, the Writers' Union decided to add a plaque below his sculpture. This plaque has a QR code that explains his involvement in this historical event.
His Family Life
Juhan Smuul was married two times. His first wife was a translator named Ita Saks. They were married from 1945 to 1951. After they divorced, he married the poet Debora Vaarandi. Before he died, he lived with Ellen Noot, who worked in radio and TV. Juhan Smuul did not have any children.
