Ivan Orav
Ivan Orav[1] (September 1, 1908 – June 19, 2009[2]) is a fictional character created by Estonian writer Andrus Kivirähk, who published a book "Memoirs of Ivan Orav or the Past as Azure Mountains" (Ivan Orava mälestused, ehk, Minevik kui helesinised mäed[3]) in 1995.[4] The book mocks popular stereotypes about the interbellum period of Estonian independence.[5]
Over time, the character was fleshed out (through publications in Eesti Päevaleht newspaper), anticipated[6] and celebrated[7] his 100th anniversary. His biography was finalised in his obituary next year.[2]
During 1994 and 1995 a TV series Vabariigi valvur was aired with Andrus Vaarik as Ivan Orav.
In the summertime of 2004 the Estonian State Archives joined the joke by uncovering and publishing a birth register of the Tõhela-Murru Eastern Orthodox Church which said that Ivan Orav and his wife Jelisaveta had daughter Lyudmila. Also, before the coming of the Soviet tiblas he changed his name to Jaan in 1939.[8]
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ "Orav" means "squirrel" in Estonian
- ^ a b http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/471767 ("Ivan Orav Has Left") (in Estonian)
- ^ Memoirs of Ivan Orav, text (in Estonian)
- ^ Short overviews of books by Estonian authors
- ^ ON THE GENRE LOGIC OF REHEPAPP BY ANDRUS KIVIRÄHK IN THE CONTEXT OF FOLKLORE GENRES, by Ott Heinapuu & Katre Kikas, citing Kivirähk, Andrus, "Ivan Orava mälestused ehk Minevik kui helesinised mäed", Tallinn, 1995
- ^ Ivan Orav - Kuulus tiblakütt ootab suurt juubelit ja surma Archived 2009-03-16 at the Wayback Machine (in Estonian)
- ^ Ivan Orav - 100! (in Estonian)
- ^ "Ivan Orav sai lapse..." ("Ivan Orav Had a Child...") Archived 2008-12-28 at the Wayback Machine (in Estonian), English version; see under "July"; texts differ Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
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