The Polymath of Estonia
Uku Masing was an Estonian polymath who contributed extensively to theology, oriental studies, philosophy, poetry, folklore, and ethnology. A significant figure in Estonian religious philosophy, he was also a prolific writer and a gifted polyglot. By the end of his life, he was able to speak approximately 65 languages, with the ability to translate from 20 of them, including original Hebrew and various oriental languages. His intellectual pursuits were vast, ranging from the study of Semitic languages to the investigation of Nazi war crimes at the Klooga concentration camp.
Beyond his academic and literary contributions, Masing was recognized for his humanitarian actions during the Holocaust. He and his wife, Eha, helped the Jewish folklorist Isidor Levin evade capture by providing food, shelter, clothing, and forged documents. For these actions, Masing was honored as a Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem and the Israeli Supreme Court.
Literary and Academic Contributions
Masing's literary output included poetry, essays, and translations. He was a member of the influential group of Estonian poets known as Arbujad ("Soothsayers"). His notable written works include the novel Rapanui vabastamine ehk Kajakad jumalate kalmistul (Liberation of Rapa Nui, or Seagulls at the Cemetery of Gods), published posthumously in 1989, and the 1935 publication Promontories into the Gulf of Rains. As a researcher of fairy tales, he contributed to the international Encyclopedia of the Folktale.
His academic career included lecturing at the University of Tartu, where he taught theology and Semitic languages. His scientific works covered a wide array of subjects, such as:
Spørgsmål og svar
Hvordan kan jeg se alle værker af Uku Masing?
Se alle værker af Uku Masing på denne hjemmeside på kunstnerens Alle kunstværker-side.
Kan jeg gennemse Uku Masings værker efter stemning?
Uku Masings værker kan udforskes efter stemning på kunstnerens Stemningsfulde rum-side, hvor kunstværkerne er sorteret efter deres registrerede stemninger.
Hvor kan jeg se farveprofilen i Uku Masings værker?
Farveprofilen for Uku Masings værker kan ses på kunstnerens Farvepalettens DNA-side.
Hvor kan jeg se Uku Masings værker i kronologisk rækkefølge?
Se kunstnerens Tidslinje for kunstværker for en kronologisk gennemgang af Uku Masings værker, år for år.
