Hardi Tiidus

Hardi Tiidus (8 November 1918 – 21 March 1999) was an Estonian television presenter, editor, journalist and translator. He worked at Eesti Televisioon (ETV) from 1956 to 1978 and hosted programmes including Vana hõbe, Viis viie vastu and Vabadus, võrdsus, vendlus. Tiidus was widely known by the nickname Vana Hõbe ("Old Silver").

Early life and education Tiidus was born in Tallinn on 8 November 1918.

Tiidus became a public populariser of classical antiquity through the ETV series Vana hõbe. The ERR archive listing describes the programme as a long-running series about ancient Greece and Rome (134 episodes). A contemporary newspaper profile described it as a 135-part series and noted the publication of his book Vana hõbe. Lugusid Vana-Kreekast ja Vana-Roomast (1997).

Translation work According to the City of Tallinn, Tiidus translated about fifty books into Estonian.

Film appearances Tiidus appeared in episodic roles in Estonian films; his screen credits are listed in the Estonian Film Database (EFIS). Selected films include: Mehed ei nuta (1968) Varastati Vana Toomas (1970) Noor pensionär (1972)

Legacy A memorial plaque marking Tiidus's former home in Tallinn was unveiled in 2021.