- Kārlis Skalbe
Kārlis Skalbe (
1879 –1945 ) was aLatvia n writer and poet. He is best known for his 72 fairy tales which are really written for adults. He has been called the 'King of Fairytales', [cite book |title=Baltic Literature: A Survey of Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian Literatures |last=Rubulis |first=Aleksis |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1970 |publisher=University of Notre Dame Press |location= |isbn= |pages=p. 125 ] and his words has been inscribed on the Monument of Freedom inRiga . [cite web |url=http://www.kultura.lv/en/icons/27/ |title=Monument of Freedom |accessdate=2008-01-27 |format= |work= ]He worked as a teacher and journalist. After the 1905 revolution he moved to
Switzerland ,Finland andNorway . He returned to Latvia in 1909 and was later sent to jail for 18 months for revolutionary activities. He fought as aLatvian Rifleman in 1916.He stayed in Latvia until 1944 when it became obvious that after the war the
USSR would again occupy Latvia. He then moved toSweden and died a few months later. [cite book |title=Walking Since Daybreak: A Story of Eastern Europe, World War II, and the Heart of Our Century |last=Eksteins |first=Modris |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1999 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Books |location= |isbn=061808231X |pages=p. 101 ]In 1987 his former summer house was opened as a public museum dedicated to his life and works. [cite web |url=http://www.muzeji.lv/guide/pages_e/karlaskalbes.html |title=KARLIS SKALBE MEMORIAL MUSEUM "SAULRIETI" |accessdate=2008-01-27 |format= |work= ]
References
* "Bear's Ears: An Anthology of Latvian Literature". p135
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