National Research Award winners Viiding and Klöker have developed the Literature Centre into a research institution renowned across Europe

Dr. Kristi Viiding and Dr. Martin Klöker, research professors at the Under and Tuglas Literature Centre, won the National Research Award for their research completed and published during the last four years (2021-2024) in the field of humanities and arts. They were acknowledged for their research results in empirical reconstruction, contextualisation and conceptualisation of the multilingual literary culture of Estonia and Livonia in the early modern period, and in European early modern literary culture.

The reasons for the Commission’s decision are as follows: Viiding and Klöker have developed the Under and Tuglas Literature Centre into a respected research institution for the study of humanist literature, which has gained recognition throughout Europe. On the basis of a series of case studies, they have found an explanation for the interpretation of the emergence, scope and specificities of the region’s early non-Estonian literature. In their studies, Viiding and Klöker have shown how local secular literature was influenced by the literary and cultural practices of Europe at the time, on the one hand, and by local political and religious discourse, on the other. While demonstrating the close links between early modern Livonia and Europe, the researchers pointed out that local conflicts, confrontations and crises are even more important as a basis for the development of literary phenomena and works than the mere imitation of Western and Central European models of humanist and vernacular literature. The publications of the award winners demonstrate their wide reach and influence among scholars of early modern literature worldwide.

We are happy with Kristi and Martin, and we wish continued joy in new discoveries to all nominees and laureates. The recipients of the award were confirmed by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the awards will be presented at the ceremony in the Estonian Knighthood House on 19 February 2025. This year marks the 35th edition of the National Science Awards.