Viivi Luik linnulennul
Viivi Luik from a Bird's-Eye View

Summary/Abstract: Viivi Luik (b. 1946) is one of the most treasured writers of contemporary Estonian literature. With her poetry she addresses the reader of her own mother-tongue from the depth of their history, language and culture, whereas her novels Seitsmes rahukevad ("The Seventh Spring of Peace", 1985) and Ajaloo ilu ("The Beauty of History", 1991) have been published in a number of foreign countries. Considering her growing intellectual presence and emerging poetics as a kind of ideological and aesthetical narrative, Luik's work constitutes a representative model for a whole generation of authors in Soviet Estonian literature. V. Luik's first poem appeared in 1962, in 1965 her first collection of poetry Pilvede püha ("Holiday of Clouds") was published. Since that time ten more collections have appeared: Taevaste tuul ("Wind of the Skies", 1966), Lauludemüüja ("Song Vendor", 1968), Hääl ("Voice", 1968), Ole kus oled ("Stay where You Are", 1971), Pildi sisse minek ("Entering a Picture", 1973), Põliskevad ("Perpetual Spring", 1975), Maapäälsed asjad ("Earthly Matters", 1978), and Rängast rõõmust ("Of Hard Joy", 1982). Also three books of selected verse, as well as fiction, a volume of essays Inimese kapike ("A Locker of One's Own", 1998), several children's books and two dramas: radio play Koera sünnipäev ("Puppy's Birthday", 1994) and an opera libretto Pilli hääl ("The Sound of a Lyre", 2000). Many Estonian songwriters have always appreciated her lyrics, evident in dozens of music books and records. The article offers a survey of her creative work, as well as of its occasionally controversial reception in literary criticism. Her distinguished stereophonic, cool symbolism is analysed in its movement from sincere nature lyrics towards urban milieu and social resistance.

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