Villem Grünthal-Ridala facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Villem Grünthal-Ridala
Born	Wilhelm Grünthal (1885-05-30)30 May 1885 Kuivastu, Muhu, Kreis Ösel, Governorate of Livonia
Died	16 January 1942(1942-01-16) (aged 56) Helsinki, Finland
Nationality	Estonian
Alma mater	University of Helsinki
Literary movement	Young Estonia

Villem Grünthal-Ridala, whose birth name was Wilhelm Grünthal, was an important Estonian writer. He was born on May 30, 1885, in Kuivastu, Muhu, which was then part of the Governorate of Livonia. He passed away on January 16, 1942, in Helsinki, Finland. Villem was known for being a poet, a translator, a linguist (someone who studies language), and a folklorist (someone who studies traditional stories and customs).

His Early Life and Studies

Villem Grünthal-Ridala grew up on the island of Muhu. His father was an inn keeper, running a place where travelers could stay.

He started his education at the Hellamaa parish school. After that, he attended the Eisenschmidt private school. He also went to the national high school in Kuressaare.

In 1905, Villem began studying Finnish Literature. He went to the University of Helsinki in Finland for his studies. He worked hard and earned his doctorate degree in 1911.

Teaching and Editing Career

After finishing his studies, Grünthal-Ridala became a professor. From 1910 to 1919, he taught at the University of Tartu in Estonia.

During this time, he also worked as an editor for magazines. He edited Estonian Literature (Eesti Kirjandus) from 1910 to 1914. He also edited Üliõpilaste leht from 1914 to 1916.

Later, in 1923, he returned to the University of Helsinki. He became a professor of Estonian Language and Literature there. He continued teaching at the university until he passed away. In 1941, he received another special degree, a doctorate in Baltic-Finnic languages.

His Poetic Style and Works

Villem Grünthal-Ridala became very famous for his poems. He wrote many beautiful poems in the Estonian language.

His long poem called Toomas ja Mai (published in 1924) was very important. Also, his collection of ballads titled Sinine kari (published in 1930) set an example for other Estonian poets.

His poems were influenced by a style called Impressionism. This means they focused on feelings and impressions rather than clear details. He often wrote about the landscapes of his home island. The sea and life by the coast were common themes in his poetry.

Villem Grünthal-Ridala was part of a literary group called Young Estonia (Noor-Eesti). This group was started in 1905 and aimed to bring new ideas to Estonian literature and culture.

Selected Poems by Villem Grünthal-Ridala

Here are some of his well-known poetry collections:

• "Villem Grünthali laulud" (1908)
• "Kauged rannad" (1914)
• "Ungru krahv ehk Näckmansgrund" (1915)
• "Merineitsit" (1918)
• "Saarnak" (1918)
• "Toomas ja Mai" (1924)
• "Tuules ja tormis" (1927)
• "Sinine kari" (1930)
• "Meretäht" (1935)
• "Laulud ja kauged rannad" (1938)
• "Väike luuleraamat" (1969)
• "Valitud värsid" (1986)
• "Püha Rist" (2005; ISBN: 9949-13-275-4)