Hasso Krull

Krull graduated from Tallinn Secondary School No. 7 and studied Estonian language and literature at Tallinn Pedagogical University (1981–1985).^[1] In the early 1990s he studied literary theory at the Estonian Institute of Humanities (later part of Tallinn University).^[1]

In 2024 he completed a doctorate at the Estonian Academy of Arts, defending a dissertation in art history and visual culture titled Kosmiline trikster eesti mütoloogias (Cosmic Trickster in Estonian Mythology).^[2]

Krull has taught literary and cultural theory at the Estonian Institute of Humanities.^[1] In 2021 he was appointed professor of liberal arts at the University of Tartu (academic year 2021–2022).^[3]

In 2001, together with poet Kalju Kruusa, he founded the translation-poetry web magazine Ninniku.^[4][5]

Krull entered the Estonian literary scene in the late Soviet period as a poet, critic, and translator.^[1] His debut poetry collection, Mustvalge (1986), was published under the pseudonym Max Harnoon.^[1] From the 2000s onward, mythology and folklore became increasingly prominent in his poetry and essays, including the long poem Meeter ja Demeeter (2004) and the epic Kui kivid olid veel pehmed (2014).^[1]

Alongside his original writing, Krull is known for translating modern philosophy and literary theory into Estonian, including works by authors such as Georges Bataille, Paul Valéry, Jacques Derrida, and others.^[1]

• 2005 – Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature (for Meeter ja Demeeter).^[6]
• 2016 – Ants Oras Prize for literary criticism.^[7]
• 2019 – Enn Soosaar Ethical Essay Prize.^[8]

Poetry

• Mustvalge (1986) (as Max Harnoon)
• Pihlakate meri (1988)
• Luuletused 1987–1991 (1993)
• Meeter ja Demeeter (2004)
• Talv (2006)
• Neli korda neli (2009)
• Kui kivid olid veel pehmed (2014)
• Euroopa (2018)

Essays and criticism

• Katkestuse kultuur (1996)
• Millimallikas (2000)
• Loomise mõnu ja kiri (2006)
• Jumalanna pesa (2012)
• Mõistatuse sild (2016)