2014150th Birth Ann of the Writer Juhan Liiv - Set

Juhan Liiv, one of the most important Estonian poets of all time (1864 - 1913), was born in the Kodavere Parish and grew up in the village of Rupsi near Alatskivi. After a short period as journalist Juhan Liiv became a professional writer. Unfortunately he caught schizophrenia and spent most of his days in his native village in his brother’s house where he continued to write. Only a small proportion of Liiv’s work was published during his lifetime. Juhan Liiv’s work is characterized by simplicity, existential depth and extraordinary power of generalization. Many lines of his poetry are familiar to every Estonian, and can be compared with the world’s best poets.