Juhan Smuul

Juhan Smuul (18 February 1922 – 13 April 1971) was an Estonian writer. Until 1954 he used the given name Johannes Schmuul. Smuul was one of the most recognized writers in Soviet Estonia and was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Estonia, a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR, chairman of the Estonian Writers' Union, secretary of the board of the Union of Soviet Writers.

Tooma farm in Koguva, the birthplace of Juhan Smuul.

Career

Smuul was born in Koguva village on the island of Muhu to Jüri and Ruudu Schmuul (née Tuulik). He had three older sisters: Salme, Linda, and Liisa and one younger sister, Aliide, as well as six half-siblings from his father's first marriage.[1]

He wrote several novels, often based on life in his native Muhu island. He also authored several travelogues. His most famous is The Frozen Book (Jäine raamat), about a Soviet expedition to Antarctica. Smuul also wrote four screenplays. They are:

  • Kirjad Sõgedate külast (1966)
  • Keskpäevane praam (1967)
  • Metskapten (1971)
  • Siin me oleme! (1978) (TV)

Juhan Smuul was an active stalinist. In 1949 he participated in the Soviet repression campaign of deporting Estonians into eastern parts of Russia.

He also worked in Soviet Estonian journalism. He died in Tallinn.

Recognition

Smuul was named People's Writer of the Estonian SSR in 1965. He was also awarded the Stalin Prize in 1952 and the Lenin Prize in 1961 and the Order of Lenin in 1967.

The literary award of the Estonian SSR (Eesti NSV kirjanduse aastapreemia) was named after him in 1972 and became the Juhan Smuul literary award from then on.

The Smuul family home, Tooma farm, located in Koguva village, is a museum. Some streets in Estonia are named after him, and one of the districts of Kuressaareis also named after him.

Personal life

Juhan Smuul was married first to translator Ita Saks from 1945 until 1951. After divorcing, he married poet Debora Vaarandi. Before his death, he lived for three or four years with radio and Finnish-language television editor Ellen Noot. He had no children.[2]

References
  1. Saarte Hääl JUHAN SMUUL 95: Naised Juhan Smuuli elus 20 February 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. "Üle piiri ja rahvuse". Sirp. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2022.


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