Lennart MeriLennart Meri

Jardo AnnusJardo Annus

Early lifeEarly life

Born on 29. March 1929 in TallinnBorn on 29. March 1929 in Tallinn Georg Meri and Alice Brigitta Georg Meri and Alice Brigitta

EngmannEngmann 9 different schools9 different schools Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Estonian, Finnish, French, German,

English and RussianEnglish and Russian

SiberiaSiberia

1941 – 19461941 – 1946 Worked as a lumberman, potato peeler Worked as a lumberman, potato peeler

and a rafter*.and a rafter*. Russian SchoolsRussian Schools Interest in other Finno-Ugric languagesInterest in other Finno-Ugric languages

*rafter – (palgi)parvetaja*rafter – (palgi)parvetaja

After universityAfter university

1953 – graduated 1953 – graduated cum laudecum laude University of TartuUniversity of Tartu

1953, 5. March 1953, 5. March proposed to his proposed to his first wifefirst wife

History teacher, History teacher, dramatist, dramatist, producer of radio producer of radio playsplays

FamilyFamily

ChildrenChildren With Regina Meri: Mart (1959) and With Regina Meri: Mart (1959) and

Kristjan (1966)Kristjan (1966) With Helle Meri: Tuule (1985)With Helle Meri: Tuule (1985) 4 grandchildren4 grandchildren

Brother: Hindrek-Peeter MeriBrother: Hindrek-Peeter Meri

Books and filmsBooks and films

““Kobrade ja karakurtide jälgedes“ Kobrade ja karakurtide jälgedes“ (1958)(1958)

““Tulemägede Maale” (1964)Tulemägede Maale” (1964) ““Virmaliste Väraval” (1974)Virmaliste Väraval” (1974) ““Hõbevalge” (1976)Hõbevalge” (1976)

and many othersand many others

5 films5 films

PoliticsPolitics Reminded the free Reminded the free

world of Estoniaworld of Estonia Founding member of Founding member of

Estonian Popular Estonian Popular Front*Front*

1990 foreign minister1990 foreign minister 6.10.1992 – 6.10.1992 –

8.10.2001 President 8.10.2001 President of Estoniaof Estonia

**rahvarinnerahvarinne

RecognitionsRecognitions

““Linnutee tuuled” – silver medalLinnutee tuuled” – silver medal Honory doctor of the universities of Honory doctor of the universities of

Helsinki, Turu, Lapland, Saint Olaf Helsinki, Turu, Lapland, Saint Olaf (USA) and Surrey(USA) and Surrey

European of the year (1998)European of the year (1998) Badges of honour* from many Badges of honour* from many

countriescountries

*aumärgid*aumärgid

SourcesSources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lennart_MeriLennart_Meri

http://www.ohtuleht.ee/index.aspx?http://www.ohtuleht.ee/index.aspx?id=193683id=193683

Valitsuse kommunikatsioonibürooValitsuse kommunikatsioonibüroo

Thank you for Thank you for listening!listening!