Mika Waltari facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mika Waltari
Mika Waltari in 1934
Born	(1908-09-19)19 September 1908 Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland
Died	26 August 1979(1979-08-26) (aged 70) Helsinki, Finland
Occupation	Author translator academician
Literary movement	Tulenkantajat
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Mika Toimi Waltari (born September 19, 1908 – died August 26, 1979) was a famous Finnish writer. He is best known for his popular historical novel The Egyptian. Waltari wrote many different kinds of books. He created novels, poems, short stories, and even detective stories. He also wrote plays, essays, travel stories, and scripts for movies and comic strips.

Biography

Early Life and Studies

Mika Waltari was born in Helsinki, Finland, on September 19, 1908. His father, Toimi Waltari, was a pastor who taught religion. Mika's father passed away when Mika was only five years old. His mother, Olga Waltari, then had to raise Mika and his two brothers.

As a boy, Mika saw the Finnish Civil War. His family had to move to a safer place during this time. Later, he started studying at the University of Helsinki. His uncle wanted him to study religion, but Mika soon changed to philosophy, aesthetics, and literature. He finished his studies in 1929.

While at university, he wrote for different magazines. He also wrote poems and stories. His first book, Jumalaa paossa, was published in 1925. It was a success! In 1927, he traveled to Paris, France. There, he wrote his first big novel, Suuri illusioni (meaning 'The Grand Illusion'). This book was about a free-spirited, artistic way of life. It became very popular and made Mika Waltari a famous author.

Mika Waltari married Marjatta Luukkonen on March 8, 1931. They had a daughter named Satu, who also became a writer.

Busy Years and Detective Stories

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Waltari worked as a journalist and critic. He wrote for many newspapers and magazines. He also traveled a lot around Europe. At the same time, he kept writing books in many different styles. He was a very hard worker.

He created a popular character named Inspector Palmu. This gruff detective from the Helsinki police department starred in three mystery novels. All of these books were made into movies. Waltari also wrote scripts for a popular cartoon called Kieku ja Kaiku. He even wrote a guide for young writers called Aiotko kirjailijaksi.

World War II and Global Success

During the Winter War (1939–1940) and the Continuation War (1941–1944), Waltari worked for the government's information center. He used his writing skills to help with public information during the war. This experience made him think a lot about how history is told. He realized that stories can be shaped by what people want others to believe. This idea often appeared in his later historical novels.

In 1945, Waltari published The Egyptian. This was his first and most successful historical novel. The book was about how good values can be lost in a world focused on money and things. This idea felt very important after World War II. The book became a huge international bestseller. It was even made into a Hollywood movie in 1954.

After The Egyptian, Waltari wrote seven more historical novels. These books were set in different ancient cultures. For example, The Dark Angel takes place during the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. In these novels, he often showed his serious thoughts about life. He also explored his Christian beliefs in two novels set in the Roman Empire.

Waltari became a member of the Finnish Academy in 1957. This is a very important group of experts in Finland. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Turku in 1970.

Later Years and Many Works

Waltari's last two novels were about the early history of Christianity. These were Valtakunnan salaisuus (The Secret of the Kingdom, 1959) and Ihmiskunnan viholliset (The Roman, 1964). As a member of the Academy of Science and Letters, he helped guide younger writers.

Mika Waltari was one of Finland's most productive writers. He wrote at least 29 novels, 15 novellas (short novels), 6 collections of stories or fairy tales, 6 poetry collections, and 26 plays. He also wrote screenplays, radio plays, non-fiction, and hundreds of reviews and articles. He is the most well-known Finnish writer around the world. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages!

In his later years, Waltari wrote less. This was partly because he earned a lot of money from his books, especially The Egyptian. This meant he didn't have to write just to make a living.

Mika Waltari passed away on August 26, 1979, in Helsinki.

Literary Themes and Style

Mika Waltari's historical novels often share similar ideas and ways of telling stories. Here are some common themes:

• Journeys: His main characters often travel to faraway lands. They feel like "outsiders" and don't always have a clear home. They sometimes have a funny friend who travels with them. Waltari himself loved to travel and used his trips to research his books.
• Being Alone: The main character is often an orphan or has a mysterious background. Their origins are not always clear, but they might come from important families.
• Power: The main character often meets powerful leaders. They might become an adviser to these leaders and gain status and wealth. This idea of starting small and becoming successful through hard work is common in Finnish stories. It even reflects Waltari's own life, as he became a world-famous author.
• Big Changes in History: All his novels take place during important turning points in world history. The way these moments are shown in his books is often influenced by big changes happening in Waltari's own time.
• Fights and Violence: His books show many kinds of battles, wars, and violent acts. He often describes these in detail. He looks at different conflicts within and between societies. He doesn't usually show one side as being completely right or wrong.
• Questioning Ideas: Waltari often criticized ideas or beliefs that seemed good on the surface but ended up causing people to suffer. He often showed two types of characters:

* The idealist: Someone who means well but accidentally causes problems. * The realist: Someone who might be less moral but gets things done and brings order.

• Good and Bad Women: The main character often has relationships with two types of women. One is a good but not perfect woman who sadly dies before their love can fully grow. The other is a beautiful but dangerous woman who brings trouble.
• Magic and Mystery: Supernatural events, magic, and mystical things are often part of his stories. They are not explained away but are treated as a normal part of life, as the characters understand it. There is often a deep, personal connection to God or a divine power.
• Hope for Humanity: Even with all the conflicts and challenges, Waltari believed that there is good in people. He felt that humanity is slowly but surely moving towards goodness and a better future. He paid special attention to the endings of his novels, making sure they left readers with a feeling of hope.

Legacy

Recognition

Mika Waltari received the State literature award five times (in 1933, 1934, 1936, 1949, and 1953). He was also given the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1952, which is a high honor.

In 2008, to celebrate 100 years since his birth, Finland made a special €10 coin in his honor. The coin shows a watchful dog, which refers to his famous book The Egyptian. It also has Waltari's signature and a pen nib, showing how many different types of writing he did.

A memorial statue for Waltari was put up in Töölö, Helsinki, in 1985. Two asteroids have also been named after him: 4266 Mika Waltari and 4512 Sinuhe (after his famous character).

Influence

Mika Waltari's historical novels have inspired other well-known writers. For example, G. R. R. Martin, who wrote the Game of Thrones series, and Jean Auel, who wrote the Earth's Children series, have said that Waltari's books influenced their work.

Works

Novels

Short Story Collections

Short Stories

• "Satu kuninkaasta jolla ei ollut sydäntä" (1945)

Comics

• Kieku ja Kaiku (1979)

Poems

Plays

Nonfiction

See also

In Spanish: Mika Waltari para niños