Curriculum Vita

Updated 11/03/2010

SIRJE KIIN

Writer, journalist, literary scientist and critic

Born 1949 August 23rd

In Viljandi, Estonia, Europe

Educational History

2010 Doctorate in Comparative Literature, Turku University (Finland)

1974-1978 postgraduate studies in Tartu University, theory of mass communication (Estonia)

1967-1972 Tartu University Estonian philology, journalism, sociology (Estonia)

1967 Secondary school in Viljandi (Estonia)

Extra-curricular courses:

1998-2004 10 courses in media, new media, PR, PowerPoint, international networking, political co-operation of women in Estonia, Finland, Sweden , Netherland, Germany, Croatia

Professional Experience

2007 - freelance writer, journalist in Madison, South Dakota, USA

2003 - 2006 freelance writer, journalist in Tallinn, Estonia

1999 - 2002 adviser of press and information, Pro Patria Union, The Parliament of Estonia

1991 - 1998 freelance correspondent of Radio Free Europe in Finland, Estonian Service

1995 – 1996 foreign correspondent of Estonian daily newspaper Eesti Päevaleht, in Finland

1989 - 1990 head of cultural department in Estonian Cultural Foundation

1982 - 1988 freelance journalist, critic and literary scientist

1978 - 1982 vice-editor of literary science journal "Keel ja Kirjandus" (Language and Literature)

1974 - 1978 head of literature department and sociologist in the cultural weekly newspaper "Sirp ja Vasar"

Languages

Native language: Estonian

Speak and write: Finnish, English, Russian, German

Limited proficiency in Latin, Italian, Hungarian, Spanish, Uzbek (Turkish), Arabic

Publications

Books in Estonian:

Biography of Estonian poetess “Kersti Merilaas” 1989, Tallinn, Estonia

Poems “Mis meist saab?” (What Will You Be?) 1989, Tallinn, Estonia

Collection “Wellesto” 1989, Oulu, Finland (editor and contributing author)

Political analyses “Neljakümne kirja lugu” (Story of Letter of 40 intellectuals) 1990, Tallinn, Estonia (with Andres Tarand and Rein Ruutsoo)

Articles and essays “Hirme ja arme” (Fears and Graces/Scars) 1994, Tallinn, Estonia

Political monograph “ Eesti Kongress: siis ja praegu” (Estonian Congress: then and now) 2000, Tallinn, Estonia

Cultural and political articles “Kõik sõltub kultuurist” (Everything Depends on Culture) 2003, Tallinn, Estonia

Book in Finnish:

Political analyses “Neljänkymmenen kirje” 1990, Helsinki, Finland (with Andres Tarand and Rein Ruutsoo)

Articles, Essays, Critiques

Since 1964 about 1500 articles, essays, critiques in Estonian, Finnish, Russian, English and German newspapers, magazines, and collections. The majority are literary criticism (about Estonian and Finnish poetry and literature); some are essays about cultural differences and political issues.

Movies

1992 “Lauluga ristit” (Baptized by Song) -- script writer for a documentary about the Estonian poet Marie Under (1883-1980); Tallinnfilm production; Directed by Peep Puks

1995 “Põletav armastus” (Burning Love) – consultant for a TV drama about Finnish-Estonian writer Aino Kallas and Estonian folklorist Oskar Kallas; Estonian TV and Finnish TV production; Directed by Kirsti Petäjäniemi

Translations

10 books (political, fiction, novels)

Poems in the literary magazine “Looming,” translated mainly from Finnish, but also from Russian and Uzbek (Turkish) into Estonian

Authors translated: Kaarina Helakisa, Jarkko Laine, Kai Laitinen, Eino Leino, Arto Paasilinna, Anja Salokannel, Juhani Salokannel, Tommy Tabermann, Arja Tiainen

Memberships

Estonian Writers Union http://www.ekl.ee/

Estonian Literary Group “Wellesto”

Estonian Journalist Union http://www.eal.ee/

Estonian PEN-Club http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/

Estonian Literary Society,

Estonian Center in Turku, Finland – Founder and member of board 1991 – 1998,

Society of Academic Women in Finland 1991 – 1998,

Estonian Pro Patria Union (now Union of Pro Patria and Respublica) -- Founder 1992; http://www.isamaajarespublicaliit.ee/

Teaching Center Pro Patria, Member of board 2000 – 2005

Foundation of Estonian Classical Literature, Founder and Chairman 2000 – 2005

American Association of University Women, 2007- ; http://www.aauw.org/

Hobbies

Literature, politics, studying cultural differences, swimming, traveling

Family

Husband: Jackson H. Walters, b. 1953, Assistant Professor of Management, Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota, USA http://www.jackwalters.net; http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/waltersj

Son: Sören Ruutsoo, b. 1974, Entrepreneur, Tallinn, Estonia