Andrus Kivirähk

Andrus Kivirähk (born 17 August 1970) is an Estonian author, playwright, screenwriter, and satirist. He writes across genres for both adults and children, including satirical columns and screenplays. Many of his stories have been adapted into films. A number of his works have also been translated into multiple languages. Kivirähk has received awards in children's literature in Estonia and internationally. He often mixes elements of dark humor, Estonian folklore, fantasy, and social commentary in his writing.

As of 2004, his novel Rehepapp ehk November (Old Barny or November) had sold 25,000 copies, making him the most popular Estonian writer of the 21st century. His book The Man Who Spoke Snakish (Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu, 2007) has been one of the top-selling books in Estonia. He is known for his children's series Lotte, Oskar and the Things, and Sirli, Siim ja saladused (Sirli, Siim and the Secrets). His works Lotte and Rehepapp ehk November have been adapted for the screen.

Early life

He was born in Tallinn on August 17, 1970. His mother, Ingrid Kivirähk (née Kasesalu, 1931–2024), was a puppeteer and actor at the Estonian Puppet Theatre (Nukuteater). His father, actor and theatre director Ants Kivirähk, died when he was fifteen. He grew up with an older brother, Juhan Kivirähk, a sociologist.

He graduated from Tallinn 32nd Secondary School in 1988. He continued his education at the University of Tartu, where he studied journalism. As a schoolboy, he got paid five-rouble money orders for his short stories, which he picked up from the Press House on Pärnu Road. He graduated from university in 1993.

While studying journalism at Tartu University, he continued to work with Pikker. During his fourth year at university, he joined the cultural department of the daily newspaper Eesti Päevaleht. It was here, from 1992 to 1993, that the character he is most well-known for, Ivan Orav, was written. Kivirähk developed stories about Orav by drawing on chapters from a contemporary history textbook and reimagining the events through Orav's distorted and humorous perspective. He has contributed weekly satirical columns to Eesti Päevaleht and many of his books first appeared in the newspaper before becoming books.

Career Literary career

His early humor writing used clichés, exaggerations, intentionally integrated strange elements, and wordplay to draw attention to and to poke fun at societal and political problems. These techniques later influenced his satirical writing and journalism. Kivirähk's writing style was heavily inspired by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald. His writing contains folk-oriented humour found similar to that in the works of Oskar Luts. The focus on national issues he integrates into his writing is also similar to the writing of Anton Hansen Tammsaare. He also shares elements of dark humour and social allegory similar to the satire and magical realism of Mikhail Bulgakov. The novel inspired a 2001 stage play, a 2013 opera, and the 2017 film adaptation November, directed by Rainer Sarnet. His 2007 fantasy novel The Man Who Spoke Snakish (Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu) explores the decline of ancient Estonian culture.

Kivirähk's work has created space for modern Estonian fiction based on traditional stories and folklore. Kivirähk's reclamation of satire in the genre of folklore has been credited by scholars, such as Piret Noorhani, as representing a form of postmodernist national literature that uses tactics from comedy, like irony and parody, to both critique national identity and revive it. By subverting traditional categories and beliefs, his writing brings folklore out of the historical record and allows it to be reinterpreted. His work often contains elements of examining the past and memory. Many of his characters gain empathy for the past throughout their interactions.

Kivirähk is also a children's author, with over a dozen published children's books.His 1999 book Sirli, Siim ja saladused explores loneliness and dream worlds. The Lotte series began with Lotte reis lõunamaale (2002) and continued with Leiutajateküla Lotte (2006). He also wrote Sibulad ja šokolaad [Onions and Chocolate] in 2002.

Kivirähk's work has gained international recognition, with his writings translated into over 20 languages.

Language Year Title (English) Title (Estonian) Translated title Translator Publisher Dutch 2015 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu De man die de taal van slangen sprak Prometheus English 2015 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu The Man Who Spoke Snakish Christopher Moseley Black Cat Finnish 2018 Carnival and Potato Salad Karneval ja kartulisalat Kun Musti muni mummon WSOY 2016 Poo and Spring Kaka ja kevad Koiranne alkaa kohta kukkia Otava 2008 Lotte from Gadgetville Leiutajateküla Lotte Keksijäkylän Lotta Otava 2000 Old Barny or November Rehepapp ehk November Riihiukko Kaisu Lahikainen Otava French 2013 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu L'Homme qui savait la langue des serpents Jean-Pierre Minaudier Éditions Le Tripode 2017 The Butterfly Liblikas Le Papillon Éditions Le Tripode 2014 Old Barny or November Rehepapp ehk November Les Groseilles de novembre Éditions Le Tripode German 2015 A Frog Kiss Konna musi Frösche küssen Willegoos 2015 Poo and Spring Kaka ja kevad Der Schiet und das Frühjahr Willegoos 2017 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu Der Mann, der mit Schlangen sprach Klett-Cotta 2015 Poo and Spring Kaka ja kevad De Schiet un dat Fröhjohr (Low German) Plaggenhauer Hungarian 2005 Blue Wagon Helesinine vagun Kék vagon Kráter Műhely Egyesület 2008 Sirli, Siim and the Secrets Sirli, Siim ja saladused Sári, Samu és a titkok Cerkabella 2011 Breviary Breviárium Breviárium Észt Intézet / Pluralica 2015 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu Az ember, aki beszélte a kígyók nyelvét Typotex 2018 Old Barny or November Rehepapp ehk November Ördöngős idők Gondolat Kiadói Kör 2021 Blue Horned Animal Sinine sarvedega loom Szépséges kék állat Gondolat Kiadói Kör Italian 2019 Lotte's Journey South Lotte reis lõunamaale Lotte. L'avventuroso viaggio al sud De Bastiani 2022 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu L'uomo che sapeva la lingua dei serpenti La nave di Teseo Latvian 2019 Lotte from Gadgetville Leiutajateküla Lotte Lote no Izgudrotāju ciema Zvaigzne ABC 2018 Oskar and the Things Oskar ja asjad Oskars un lietas Liels un mazs 2016 Carnival and Potato Salad Karneval ja kartulisalat Karnevāls un kartupeļu salāti Liels un mazs 2013 Lotte's Journey South Lotte reis lõunamaale Lotes ceļojums uz dienvidiem Zvaigzne ABC 2012 Poo and Spring Kaka ja kevad Kaka un pavasaris Liels un mazs 2009 Sirli, Siim and the Secrets Sirli, Siim ja saladused Sirli, Sīms un noslēpumi Liels un mazs 2022 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu Vīrs, kas zināja čūskuvārdus Latvijas Mediji 2012 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu Vīrs, kas zināja čūskuvārdus Lauku Avīze Lithuanian 2010 Sirli, Siim and the Secrets Sirli, Siim ja saladused Sirlė, Simas ir slėpiniai Kronta 2020 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu Žmogus, mokėjęs gyvačių kalbą Agnė Bernotaitė-Jakubčionienė Aukso žuvys 2023 Old Barny or November Rehepapp ehk November Jaujininkas Milda Kurpniece Aukso žuvys Polish 2018 Oskar and the Things Oskar ja asjad Oskar i rzeczy Widnokrąg 2020 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu Człowiek, koji znał mowę węży Anna Michalczuk-Podlecki Marpress 2021 Old Barny or November Rehepapp ehk November Listopadowe porzeczki Anna Michalczuk-Podlecki Wydawnictwo Literackie Russian 2014 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu Последний, кто знал змеиную молвь (Posledniy, kto znal zmeinuyu molv) Октопус 2019 Oskar and the Things Oskar ja asjad Оскар и вещи (Oskar i veshchi) КПД 2017 Lotte's Journey South Lotte reis lõunamaale Путешествие Лотты в тёплые края (Puteshestviye Lotty v tyoplyye kraya) Eesti Joonisfilm 2016 Carnival and Potato Salad Karneval ja kartulisalat Карнавал и картофельный салат (Karnaval i kartofel'nyy salat) Varrak 2014 A Frog Kiss Konna musi Поцелуй лягушку! (Potseluy lyagushku!) Varrak 2010 Poo and Spring Kaka ja kevad Весна и какашка (Vesna i kakashka) Varrak 2009 Limpa and the Pirates Limpa ja mereröövlid Лимпа и пираты (Limpa i piraty) Varrak 2009 Lotte from Gadgetville Leiutajateküla Lotte Лотте из Деревни Изобретателей (Lotte iz Derevni Izobretateley) Eesti Päevaleht 2008 Giraffe Kaelkirjak Жираф (Zhiraf) КПД 2008 Sirli, Siim and the Secrets Sirli, Siim ja saladused Сирли, Сийм и секреты (Sirli, Siym i sekrety) КПД Slovenian 2015 Sirli, Siim and the Secrets Sirli, Siim ja saladused Sara, Simon in skrivnosti KUD Sodobnost International Spanish 2017 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu El hombre que hablaba serpiente Impedimenta Japanese 2021 The Man Who Spoke Snakish Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu 蛇の言葉を話した男 (Hebi no kotoba o hanashita otoko) Ryoko Sekiguchi Kawade Shobo Shinsha

He has been a member of the Estonian Writers' Union (in Estonian: Eesti Kirjanike Liit) since 1996.

Broadcast journalism career Since 1995, Kivirähk has co-hosted the satirical weekly radio show, Rahva Oma Kaitse (The People's Own Defense), on the Raadio 2 channel of Estonian public broadcaster ERR alongside Mart Juur. The weekly live broadcast provides commentary on domestic and international politics. The show celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. The weekly program combines journalism with comedic takes on current events. The show broadcasts live every Tuesday at 19:00 with replays on Sundays at 12:00.

Stage and screen career Kivirähk has written several plays and screenplays. He often writes plays with absurd humor. As with his other work, it often engages with Estonian history. He debuted with Vanamehed seitsmendalt in 1992. In 2000, he wrote and directed Papagoide päevad at the Estonian Drama Theatre. He adapted his novel Rehepapp for the stage in 2001. Other works include Adolf Rühka lühikene elu (2005) and Voldemar (2007), directed by Merle Karusoo.He wrote and directed Köster at the Tallinn City Theatre in 2016. Recent plays include Kaarnakivi perenaine (2017) and Isamaa pääsukesed (2018).

Kivirähk co-wrote the screenplay for the animated feature Lotte from Gadgetville (2006) with directors Heiki Ernits and Janno Põldma. He also wrote scripts for Lotte ja kuukivi saladus (2011) and Lotte ja kadunud lohed (2019). In 2023, he wrote and appeared in the hybrid film Kaka, kevad ja teised. In television, he wrote the comedy mini-series Vabariigi valvur (1994–1995).

Awards and honors Andrus Kivirähk has received recognition for his contributions to Estonian literature, drama, and journalism. He has earned both domestic and international awards throughout his career. His literary work was honored by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, and he has received the state's prestigious Order of the White Star, fifth class. Internationally, his novel The Man Who Spoke Snakish gained significant traction. In France, he won the Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire in 2014. He also had multiple nominations for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in the field of children's literature. He has received recognition for his work from the general public with his recurring success in the Nukits Competition, in which Estonian children vote for their favorite authors. He was the winner of the reader-nominated award in the Nukits Competition in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

Year Awards Work Category Result Ref. 2020 Nukits Competition The Ghost and Facebook Children's Choice 2018 Annual Children's Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia Tilda and the Dust Angel Children's Literature 2018 "Järje Hoidja" Award of the Tallinn Central Library Tilda and the Dust Angel Children's Literature 2018 Good Children's Book Tilda and the Dust Angel Children's Literature Selected 2016 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Career achievement Children's Literature 2016 Tartu Prize for Children's Literature Oskar and the Things Childhood Prize 2016 Eduard Vilde Literary Award Oskar and the Things Literature 2016 Nukits Competition Carnival and Potato Salad Children's Choice 2015 Good Children's Book Oskar and the Things Children's Literature Selected 2015 The White Ravens Big Toell Children's Literature Selected 2014 Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire (France) The Man Who Spoke Snakish Best Foreign Novel 2013 Jānis Baltvilks Prize (Latvia) Poo and Spring Children's Literature 2013 Good Children's Book A Frog Kiss Children's Literature Selected 2012 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Career achievement Children's Literature 2011 Jānis Baltvilks Prize (Latvia) Lotte from Gadgetville Children's Literature 2010 Nukits Competition Poo and Spring Children's Choice 2010 Children and Young Adult Jury (Latvia) Sirli, Siim and the Secrets Children's Literature 2008 IBBY Honour List Lotte from Gadgetville Children's Literature Selected 2008 Nukits Competition Lotte from Gadgetville Children's Choice 2007 Republic of Estonia State Culture Award Lotte from Gadgetville & plays Culture 2006 Nukits Competition Limpa and the Pirates Children's Choice 2005 Raisin of the Year Award Bed-time stories for Estonian fathers Children's Literature 2004 The Order of the White Star (V class) Service to Culture State Decoration Honored 2004 Nukits Competition Lotte's Journey South Children's Choice 2004 "Järje Hoidja" Award of the Tallinn Central Library Limpa and the Pirates Children's Literature 2000 Annual Cultural Endowment of Estonia Award Lotte (for the animated feature film Lotte, together with Heiki Ernits, Janno Põldma, Regina Lukk-Toompere and Olav Ehala) Audio-visual Arts

Personal life Kivirähk is married to journalist and translator Ilona Martson (also known as Ilona Kivirähk). She is the editor-in-chief of the children's magazine Täheke. They have three daughters: Kaarin, Liisa, and Teele. Their first grandchild was born in March 2024. Their eldest daughter is art critic and curator, Kaarin Kivirähk.