Statues - Hither & Thither

KRISTIAN JAAK PETERSON 1801/1822

Kristjan Jaak Peterson

Kristjan Jaak Peterson (1801-1822), an Estonian poet, was born in Riga and
studied at the University of Tartu. The fact that he walked from Tartu to Riga
is generally known. He considered himself the poet of Estonian peasantry,
valued the national characteristics of literature and believed in the possibility
of creating the original Estonian national literature. Odes and pastorals form
the major part of his poetic achievement. He also translated, and wrote
articles on the Estonian language.
The work of Kristjan Jaak Peterson was not published in his life-time. His
significans emerged only in the 20th centyry when his manuscripts were
found in the archives of the Learned Estonian Society. On March 14, the
birthday of Kristjan Jaak Peterson, the day of the mother tongue is celebrated
in Estonia.
The authors of the monument are Jaak Soans and Allan Murdmaa, it was
unveiled in 1983.