Jaak Allik

Jaak Allik (born 6 October 1946) is an Estonian theatre critic, theatre director and politician. He is a member of the Social Democratic Party, and was previously the Estonian Minister of Culture 1995–1999 . He worked as a theater director and designer in the 1980s, becoming the set designer for Ugala.

Because Allik had been a part of the Estonian Communist Party since 1971 (and, ultimately, the CPSU), he became part of groups such as the Supreme Soviet and involved with notable Estonian communists such as Mikk Titma and Indrek Toome. After an independent Estonia Allik was mainly a theater director and theater critic but still remained in politics.

Allik's parents were the communist politicians Hendrik Allik and Olga Lauristin during the 1940s. His maternal half-sister is the sociologist and politician Marju Lauristin. His son, Mihkel Allik, has been an advisor to the Chancellor of Justice. His cousin is the architect Vilen Künnapu.

Awards

Honoured Worker of the Arts Industry of the Estonian SSR (1986) Order of the White Star, 4th Class (2002) Order of the City of Viljandi (2003)