Betti Alver

Betti Alver (23 November [O.S. 10 November] 1906 in Jõgeva – 19 June 1989 in Tartu) was the pseudonym of Elisabet Alver, (from the year 1937 Elisabet Talvik, and from the year 1956 Elisabet Lepik),[1] one of Estonia's most notable poets. She was among the first generation to be educated in schools of an independent Estonia. She went to grammar school in Tartu.[2]

Writing

She began as a prose writer. She became known for being a member of the Arbujad ("Soothsayers"), a small group of influential Estonian poets including Bernard Kangro, Uku Masing, Kersti Merilaas, Mart Raud, August Sang, Heiti Talvik and Paul Viiding. After the war her husband Heiti Talvik was imprisoned by the Soviets and died in Siberia.[3] For two or three decades she was silent as a poet as protest of Soviet rule, but renewed activity in the 1960s. Of note in this second period is the 1966 collection Tähetund or "Starry Hour." She also wrote novels and did translation work.[4] On the hundredth anniversary of her birth a museum was dedicated to her in Jõgeva.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Columbia dictionary of modern European literature By Jean Albert Bédé, William Benbow Edgerton". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Estonian Literary Magazine". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Estonian Literature Information Centre". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  4. ↑ ""Shifting Borders: East European Poetry of the '80s" by Walter M. Cummins, pgs 32-33". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Jõgeva site". Retrieved 30 November 2014.


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