Playwrights

Jaan Kross was a prose writer, poet, essayist and translator, whose historical works are considered the core texts of Estonian literature. Together with Ellen Niit and Ain Kaalep, he was one of the main innovators of poetry in the 1960s. In his works, Kross relies on archival material to depict the historical context as accurately as possible. Kross was primarily interested in human behaviour in a historical context, rather than general social developments and movements.

Recognition:

1995 Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature for Treading Air (“Paigallend”)

1988 Cultural Endowment Annual Award for Literature for Treading Air (“Paigallend”)

1995 Friedebert Tuglas Short Story Award for The Duke (“Vürst”)

1990 Friedebert Tuglas Short Story Award for Uncle (“Onu”)

1972 Friedebert Tuglas Short Story Award for Swivel Chair Hour (“Pöördtoolitund”)

1971 Friedebert Tuglas Short Story Award for Four Monologues on St George (“Neli monoloogi Püha Jüri asjus”)

Juhan Smuul literary award in the following years:

1972 for Stream and Trident (“Voog ja kolmpii”)

1973 for Between Three Plagues (“Kolme katku vahel”)

1979 for The Czar's Madman (“Keisri hull”)

1983 for Between Readings vol. III (“Vahelugemised” III)

1984 for Professor Martens' Departure (“Professor Martensi ärasõit”)