Mikk Sarv
Estonian folklorist, regilaul singer and composer (1951–2018)
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Mikk Sarv (10 August 1951 – 6 April 2018) was an Estonian folklorist, regilaul (runic-song) singer, biologist, educator and composer.[2][3][1] He was a prominent promoter of the regilaul tradition and was among the founders of the runic-song ensemble Hellero.[2][8] In scholarship on Baltic folklore revivals, Sarv has been described as a key figure in Estonian–Latvian networks around traditional music.[5]
Mikk Sarv | |
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| Born | 10 August 1951 |
| Died | 6 April 2018 (aged 66)[2] |
| Resting place | Old St. John's Cemetery, Tartu |
| Occupations | Folklorist; runic-song (regilaul) singer; biologist; educator; composer; broadcaster[2][3][4] |
| Known for | Co-founding the runic song ensemble Hellero; promoting regilaul; composing music for Estonian documentary film[2][5] |
| Awards | Order of the White Star (Medal Class, 2001)[6]; Cultural Endowment of Estonia annual award (1998)[7] |
Sarv also composed music for Estonian documentary films, including nature films and other documentaries credited in contemporary reporting and film databases.[2][9][10]
Public roles
Sarv was active in civic organisations connected to adult education and rural community development. A historical overview of the Estonian Adult Education Association (Eesti Vabaharidusliit) credits Sarv as a key figure in the organisation’s (re)founding process and notes that he served as its chair in the early period.[11] A 1994 issue of Õpetajate Leht listed Sarv as chair of both the Adult Education Teachers’ Society and the Adult Education Association.[12]
In the context of rural community organising, a PREPARE network report on the Estonian Village Movement (Kodukant) identifies Sarv as the movement’s first president.[13]
Broadcasting
Sarv appeared in Estonian broadcasting, including the ETV portrait programme Tähelaev.[14] After his death, Klassikaraadio aired a programme highlighting his work and noted his long-running contribution to radio series such as Päeva pärimussõna.[15]
Awards and recognition
Sarv received the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s annual award from the Folk Culture Endowment (1998).[7] He was awarded the Order of the White Star (Medal Class) by a state decorations decision of 2 February 2001.[6]