Aire Koop (until 1987, Aire Johanson; born 30 May 1957) is an

Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...

n stage, film, and television actress whose career began in the late 1970s.

Early life and education

Aire Koop was born Aire Johanson in

Jõgeva Jõgeva is a small town in Estonia with a population of around 5000 people. It is the capital of Jõgeva Parish and Jõgeva County. History Jõgeva was first mentioned in 1599 as ''Jagiwa'' manor, being established only recently on the lands ...

. After graduating from Jõgeva Secondary School in 1975, she studied drama at the Pärnu Theatre training studio from 1977 until 1979. Koop later returned to school in 2004, graduating from the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy in 2008 with a degree as a teacher and director of cultural and creative activities.

Career

Koop began her career as a stage actress at the Endla Theatre in

Pärnu Pärnu () is the fourth-largest city in Estonia. Situated in southwest Estonia, Pärnu is located south of the Estonian capital, Tallinn, and west of Estonia's second-largest city, Tartu. The city sits off the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of ...

in 1979, an engagement that lasted until 1994. Notable roles at the Endla Teatre have been in works by: Dagmar Normet,

Juhan Smuul Juhan Smuul (18 February 1922 – 13 April 1971) was an Estonian writer. Until 1954 he used the given name Johannes Schmuul. Smuul was one of the most recognized writers in Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Estonia and was a member of th ...

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

, Paul-Eerik Rummo,

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, Franz von Pocci,

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, Claude Magnier, and Tony Roper. Koop (credited by her maiden name Johanson) made her film debut in a small role in the 1980

Peeter Simm Peeter Simm (born 24 February 1953 in Kiviõli) is an Estonian film director. In 1976 he graduated from the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK). Selected filmography *''Ideaalmaastik'' (1980) *''Fed up!'' (2005) *''On the Other Si ...

directed feature film '' Ideaalmaastik'' for

Tallinnfilm Tallinnfilm () is the oldest surviving film studio in Estonia. It was founded as Estonian Culture Film in 1931, and was nationalized in 1940 after Estonia was integrated into the Soviet Union. During the first year of Soviet occcupation (1940 ...

and based on the 1977 short-story ''Kevadkülvi volinik'' by Karl Helemäe. The following year, she had a more significant role as Miia in the Valentin Kuik directed television film ''Teaduse ohver''. In 1983, she appeared in another television film, the crime-drama ''Suletud ring'', directed by Peeter Urbla. The same year, she appeared in starring role as Tralla in ''Nipernaadi'', a film adaptation of

August Gailit August Gailit (9 January 1891 – 5 November 1960) was an Estonians, Estonian writer. Life Georg August Gailit was born in Lossiküla, Kuiksilla (near Sangaste Castle), Sangaste Parish (now Otepää Parish), Kreis Dorpat, Governorate of Livonia, ...

's 1928 novel '' Toomas Nipernaadi'', directed by Kaljo Kiisk. In 1987, she appeared in two prominent roles in television films: as Käo Linda in the

Eesti Televisioon Eesti Televisioon (ETV) () is an Estonian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Estonian Public Broadcasting. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955. History Eesti Televisioon (''Estonian Television'') was launched on ...

(ETV) historical epic '' Tants aurukatla ümber'', directed by Peeter Simm and written by Mats Traat, and as Knuters Minna in the Olav Neuland directed historical drama ''Näkimadalad''; an adaptation of the Herman Sergo penned novel of the same name. Other feature film roles throughout the 1980s include the

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directed drama ''Keskea rõõmud'' in 1986, and in the Valentin Kuik directed youth film drama ''Perekonnapildid'' in 1989. During the 1990s, Koop appeared in several more films: As Marta in the 1990

Arvo Iho Arvo Iho (born 21 June 1949) is an Estonian film director, cinematographer, actor and photographer, who has worked in the areas of documentary and drama.Rollberg, Peter (2016) ''Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema'', Rowman & Litt ...

directed Tallinnfilm drama ''

Ainult hulludele ehk halastajaõde ''Ainult hulludele ehk halastajaõde'' (also known as ''Halastajaõde'') is a 1990 Estonian drama film directed by Arvo Iho. Awards: * 1991: Monstra Internationale del Film d'Auttore (San Remo, Italy), best actress award: Margarita Terekhova * 1 ...

'' and as the character Silin's wife in the 1999 Peeter Simm directed drama ''Sellised kolm lugu: Aida'' for Lege Artis Film. Since 1996, Koop has supervised the acting troupe of the Häädemeeste Hobby Theatre and from 2013 until 2014, the Pärnu Folk Theatre. She is also the CEO of the Pärnu County Folk Culture Centre Society, an organisation whose goals and activities are aimed at preserving and developing the regional identity of

Pärnu County Pärnu County ( or ''Pärnumaa''; ) is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in the south-western part of the country, on the coast of Gulf of Riga, and borders Lääne and Rapla counties to the north, Järva and Viljandi counties to ...

folk culture, and chairs the education and culture committee of the rural municipality council. In 2009, Koop appeared as Mai in several episodes of the

Kanal 2 Kanal 2 is a privately owned Estonian television channel. Its literal name in English is "Channel 2". History The channel was established by Ilmar Taska. The channel started broadcasting on 1 October 1993, the first program seen on the new ...

comedy-crime television series ''

Kelgukoerad ''Kelgukoerad'' is an Estonian criminal television series, which aired on the Kanal 2 television channel. The series is directed by . The series was on the air from 2006-2013. Cast * Kalju Komissarov as Mati Kelk (2006–2013) * Madis Millin ...

''. In 2017, Koop returned to film in two roles: as the apparition of the character Hans' mother in the

Rainer Sarnet Rainer Sarnet (born March 3, 1969) is an Estonian film director whose work started in animation. He then worked in advertising and publishing. His works include ''November November is the eleventh and penultimate month of the year in the J ...

directed dark fantasy-drama ''

November November is the eleventh and penultimate month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 30 days. November was the ninth month of the calendar of Romulus . November retained its name (from the Latin ''novem'' meaning " ...

'', and a small role as a member of a therapy group in the Andres Maimik and Katrin Maimik directed comedy film ''Minu näoga onu''.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Koop, Aire 1957 births Living people Estonian stage actresses Estonian film actresses Estonian television actresses People from Jõgeva 20th-century Estonian actresses 21st-century Estonian actresses