Arne Merilai
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Arne Merilai | |
|---|---|
 Merilai delivering an inaugural lecture at the University of Tartu (2011) | |
| Born | April 27, 1961 Kohtla-Järve, Estonian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Citizenship | Estonian |
| Known for | Work on pragmapoetics and poetics; research on Estonian ballads and poetry |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | University of Tartu (Estonian philology) |
| Doctoral advisor | Karl Muru |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Literary theory; poetics; Estonian literature |
| Institutions | University of Tartu |
| Notable works | Pragmapoeetika: kahe konteksti teooria (2003); Türann Oidipus (2009); Puuinimesed (2024) |
Arne Merilai (born 27 April 1961) is an Estonian literary scholar, poet and novelist. He is Professor of Estonian Literature at the University of Tartu and holds the university's professorship of national significance in Estonian literature.[1][2][3]
Merilai was born in Kohtla-Järve and attended Kehra Secondary School. He studied Estonian philology at (then) Tartu State University (now the University of Tartu), graduating in 1984, and defended a кандидат/cand. degree thesis on the Estonian ballad (1900–1940) in 1990 (supervisor: Karl Muru).[3][4]
Academic career
After working as a teacher, Merilai held research and teaching positions at the University of Tartu and in Estonian research institutions, including the Institute of Estonian Language and Literature (Academy of Sciences).[3] He was elected Professor of Estonian Literature at the University of Tartu in 2011 and became a national professor in Estonian literature (professorship of national significance) in 2012.[4][5]
Merilai has been associated with the Estonian Writers’ Online Dictionary (EWOD), where he serves as an editor-in-chief (with Jüri Talvet).[6]
Research
Merilai's research addresses poetics and literary theory, including his work on “pragmapoetics” (a theoretical approach to figurative language and literary communication).[5] His inaugural lecture at the University of Tartu (2011) presented a philosophical account of poetic language and introduced key elements of this approach to a broader audience.[7]
Literary work
In addition to scholarship and criticism, Merilai has published poetry and fiction, including the novels Türann Oidipus (2009) and Puuinimesed (2024).[3]
Political activity
In the 2023 Estonian parliamentary election, Merilai stood as a candidate for Erakond Parempoolsed in Electoral District No. 10 (Tartu) and received 114 votes.[8]