Juhan Liiv

Estonian writer

Juhan Liiv ( – ) is one of Estonia's most famous poets and prose writers.

Juhan (birth name Johannes) Liiv, the son of Benjamin and Marianna Liiv (née Pärn), was born on 30 April 1864, in Alatskivi Parish (now Peipsiääre Parish), in the Kreis Dorpat of the Governorate of Livonia. He grew up in Rupsi village, on Oja farm owned by his family. Liiv grew up in a poor and devoutly religious family and was second youngest of eight children; three of whom died in infancy, including his only two sisters Liisa and Miina. His older brother Jakob also became a poet. At home, he and his siblings were raised to be staunch Christians and his parents were quick to reprimand any small transgression. Liiv spent most of his childhood alone, isolated from other children his age, due in part, to chronic childhood illnesses. Illness forced Liiv to leave school and return home, where he wrote poetry and occasional columns for the Olevik newspaper. His poetry starkly contrasted that of his contemporaries, and was therefore largely ignored.

Liiv finally achieved success in 1894 when his first short story, Vari (The Shadow), was published. It was dark and gloomy, foreshadowing his future works of both prose and poetry. Many readers draw a comparison between Liiv and the main character of the story, Villu, who is physically weak but strong in mind. Liiv continued to write several more short stories, but none are as famous as Vari.

Shortly after Vari was released, Liiv became a patient in a psychiatric clinic in Tartu. Liiv was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He variably thought he was the son of the Emperor Alexander II, the king of Poland and Estonian poet Lydia Koidula. His struggles with mental illness continued until his death.

In late 1913, Liiv was found aboard a train without a ticket because he could not afford one. He was thrown off into a deserted area and walked home. By the time he arrived, however, he had been in freezing temperatures for two weeks and had contracted a fatal case of pneumonia. He died on 1 December 1913.

The Juhan Liiv Prize for Poetry was founded in 1965. It is awarded by the parish of Alatskivi on 30 April every year. The prize is a leather shepherd's bag hand made by a local artist.