Peeter Olesk

This article is about the Estonian literary scholar and politician Peeter Olesk. For the Estonian sport shooter of the same name, see Peeter Olesk (sport shooter)

Peeter Olesk (2007)

Peeter Olesk (born December 25, 1953 in Tallinn ) is an Estonian literary scholar and politician.

Early years

Peeter Olesk grew up in the Tallinn district of Nõmme . He graduated from school in his hometown of Tallinn in 1972. In 1977 he graduated from Tartu State University in Estonian Philology .

1977/78 he was initially employed as a school teacher in Tallinn. From 1978 to 1980 Olesk was an editor at the Estonian publisher Eesti Raamat . From 1980 to 1987 he worked as a scientist at the Literary Museum of the Academy of Sciences of the Estonian SSR . From 1990 to 1993 Olesk directed the Estonian Literature Museum in Tartu.

politics

In the phase of Estonian regaining independence, Olesk also moved into politics. In 1989 he joined the "Central Committee of Estonian Citizens" (Eesti kodanike peakomitee) , which resolutely advocated the separation of Estonia from the Soviet Union and the restoration of the Republic of Estonia's independence. In 1993 he joined the "Party of National Independence of Estonia" (Eesti Rahvusliku Sõltumatuse Party - ERSP) , which merged in 1995 to form the conservative "Fatherland Union" ( Isamaaliit ) .

In 1993/94, Peeter Olesk was in the cabinet of Prime Minister Mart Laar as a minister without portfolio responsible for population issues. In 1994/95 he held the office of Minister of Culture and Education, first in the Laar cabinet and then in the following coalition government under Prime Minister Andres Tarand .

From 1995 to 1999 Olesk worked as the director of the university library in Tartu, before he was elected to the Estonian Parliament ( Riigikogu ) from 1999 to 2003 for the Union of the Fatherland .

Today Peeter Olesk is one of the best-known political publicists and literary critics in Estonia. He also writes under the pseudonym Rein Kuusk .

Private life

Peeter Olesk's maternal grandparents were the Estonian prewar politician Lui Olesk (1876-1932) and his wife, the politician and women's rights activist Minni Kurs-Olesk (1879-1940).

In 1977 Peeter Olesk married the literary scholar Sirje Mägar (* 1954).

Web links

• Entry in the personal database ISIK (Estonian)

Individual evidence