KARLOVA KIRJANDUSE PÕHIJOONED
The Main Traits of Karlova Literature

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses literature connected with karlova, which is a district of the town of Tartu. The possible chances for telling the history of karlova literature and the possible specifics of karlova literature as compared to some other literary communities with a strong local identity are examined. The heart of karlova district is the wooden housing erected on estate lands in the early 20th century. The cultural meaning of the place, however, dates back to the 19th century when karlova estate became property of russian writer Faddei Bulgarin. After his death there was a temporary break in the literary identity of karlova, only to be revived in the tradition of slum literature. In Estonian slum literature, the prototypical space is often the so-called Soup Town, which is another district of Tartu. Hence, at least part of the development of karlova’s identity inevitably takes place on the background of Soup Town. The specific traits of karlova literature owe mostly to the prose of Oskar Luts and to the poetry of Juhan Sütiste. In its later stages the literature of karlova develops several features that are specific just to karlova, not necessarily to Estonian slum literature in general. unlike typical slum realism that focuses on degeneration, karlova literature rather displays some balance between degeneration and dignity. Also, karlova literature renders more of high views, keeping one’s distance, romance, a dreamlike atmosphere, ambivalence and a philosophical attitude.

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