Paper short abstract:

The system of literary awards is an evaluative value-generating institutional practice that acts as one of the phases in systemising and classifying literary works and authors. My presentation will examine how the logic of distributing literary prizes in Estonia has changed during their existence.

Paper long abstract:

Handing out literary prizes is an institutional evaluation process and the question is always focused on the value(s) - literary, economic or symbolic, that are dependent on ideological background. Examining the awarding process and its participants can show how the institution of literary prizes has influenced the evaluation of literature, also whether and how it has taken part in literary canon formation and also how the system of merit has influenced its participants.

The purpose of the literary awards in Estonia has been to highlight, respect or appreciate the respective authors or their works, the specific genre or in general the promotion of (excellent) (Estonian) literature. Due to the specifics of Estonian political and literary history it is possible to analyze the awarding system and values expressed with and evaluated in literary works in different frame of reference. Investigating the prizes, award juries, the principles of distribution and different aspects of the award system during four main periods in Estonian history (while being part of Russian Empire before the year 1918, during the first Estonian independence period from 1918 until 1944, during Soviet times from 1944 until 1991 and after regaining the independence) we can see how the process of literary evaluation has changed. Different ideological and political background has strongly influenced the literary field in general and also the logic of distributing literary prizes, it has affected the awarding process, the authority of the juries and most certainly the distinguished values.