Kersti Merilaas facts for kids

Kersti Merilaas (born December 7, 1913, in Narva – died March 8, 1986, in Tallinn) was an important Estonian poet and translator. She also wrote many poems and stories for children, and even plays. Her real name was Eugenie Moorberg.

Early Life and School

Kersti Merilaas was born Eugenie Moorberg in Narva, Estonia, in 1913. This was just before the First World War began. She spent her early childhood in St. Petersburg, Russia, with her mother and sister. In 1917, her family moved back to Estonia. This was because of the big changes happening during the Russian Revolution.

From 1921 to 1927, she went to school in the village of Kiltsi. Later, she continued her studies in Väike-Maarja and Rakvere. In 1932, she finished high school in Tapa, Estonia.

Her Career as a Writer

Kersti Merilaas started her writing career in 1935. Her first collection of poems was called Loomingus.

In 1936, Merilaas married August Sang, who was also an Estonian writer and translator. They had a son named Joel Sang in 1950. Joel also grew up to become a poet and writer.

From 1936, Merilaas lived in Tartu, where she worked as a librarian. In 1938, she became part of a special group of Estonian poets. This group was called Arbujad, which means "Soothsayers." Other famous poets in this group included Betti Alver and Bernard Kangro. That same year, her poetry book Maantee tuuled was published. People really liked it, especially for its beautiful poems about love and nature. Also in 1938, she joined the Estonian Writers' Union.

After Estonia came under Soviet rule in 1944, things changed for writers. The authorities did not like some of Merilaas's work. They thought it promoted ideas they called "bourgeois nationalism." In 1950, Merilaas had to leave the Soviet Writers Association of Estonia. During this time, she was still allowed to write books for children. In 1960, when the rules became less strict, Merilaas was allowed to write for adults again.

Besides poems and stories, Merilaas also wrote the words for three operas. These operas were by the Estonian composer Gustav Ernesaks. She also translated books from German into Estonian. She translated works by famous writers like Bertolt Brecht and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Kersti Merilaas passed away in Tallinn, Estonia, in 1986. She was 72 years old.

Selected Works

Here are some of the books Kersti Merilaas wrote:

Poetry Collections

• Loomingus (1935)
• Maantee tuuled (1938)
• Rannapääsuke (1963)
• Kevadised koplid (1966)
• Kuukressid (1969)
• Antud ja võetud (1981)

Children's Books

• Munapühad (1940)
• Kallis kodu (a collection of poems, 1944)
• Päikese paistel (a collection of poems, 1948)
• Turvas (1950)
• Veskilaul (1959)
• Lugu mustast ja valgest (1962)
• Lumest lumeni (1982)
• Kui vanaema noor oli (poetry, 1983)
• Kindakiri. – Варежки (poem in Estonian and Russian, 1986)
• Siit siiani. Piksepill (collection of poems, 1989. Published after her death)

Plays

• Kaks viimast rida (1973)
• Pilli-Tiidu (1974)

Awards

In 1976, Kersti Merilaas received the Friedebert Tuglas Short Story Award. She won it for her work called Eilsete perest.