Google honors Jaan Kross - Ancient tree of Estonian literature

Today on February 19, 2020, the Google homepage changed its interface to celebrate the 100th birthday of Jaan Kross. So who is Jaan Kross?

"The poet Jaan Kross has brought us a fresh breeze of poetry in all areas of life, from vast galaxies to tiny electrons; from the eminent Homer of ancient Greece to the English poet. John Milton " - Writer Jaan Kaplinski, Estonian.

Image on Google homepage February 19.(Source: Google Doodle).

Jaan Kross is recognized as one of the most famous writers abroad and his work is translated into the most languages ​​in Estonia. His works played an important role in unraveling the situation of annexation into the Soviet Union in the years after World War I.

Born in Estonia's capital Tallinn on February 19, 1920, Jaan Kross studied at the famous Tartu University and eventually became an assistant professor of international law.

In 1946, like many of his intellectual compatriots, Jaan Kross suddenly caught the attention of the KGB and was taken to Siberia when convicted as a political prisoner. During his eight years away from home, Jaan Kross wrote many poems and translated published works, sowing seeds for his later success.

Jaan Kross later married the poet, child writer and translator Ellen Niit, whom he worshiped as the "muse of his life".

In the 1970s, Jaan Kross began writing historical novels to implicitly discuss his disagreements about the times.

Jaan Kross helped draft a new constitution for Estonia after separating from the Soviet Union.

The works 'Kolme katku vahel' (1970) and 'Keisri hull' (1978) are considered his masterpieces, selling over 30,000 copies. The content of these works mainly calls for a spirit of solidarity among Soviet writers.

In 1990, Jaan Kross won the Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger, the French foreign book award, for his work 'Keisri hull' ; then the Amnesty International International Golden Flame Award. In addition, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature for his novels and autobiographies.

In 1992, Jaan Kross helped draft a new constitution for Estonia after splitting from the Soviet Union.

In 2007, Estonian poet and writer, Jaan Kross, died in the capital Tallinn, leaving a huge literary legacy for his country. In honor and forever remember his name, in 2010 Estonia established the Jaan Kross Literary Prize to honor prose, poetry, drama, translation or cultural history for unique writers.

Doodle imagery was made by Google's Estonian guest artist.