Toomas Kall (pseudonym Uku-Ralf Tobi; born on 16 October 1947 in
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Estonia, most populous city of Estonia. Situated on a Tallinn Bay, bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, it has a population of (as of 2025) and ...
) 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 humorist, caricaturist, writer, scenarist and translator.
Career
1966-1969 he studied history, and 1970-1972 Estonian philology at
Tartu State University
The University of Tartu (UT; ; ) is a Public university, public research university located in the city of Tartu, Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is also the largest and oldest university in the country.Sirp ja Vasar''. From 1980 until 1987, he worked at
Vanalinnastuudio
Vanalinnastuudio (literally 'Old Town Studio') was a theatre in Tallinn, 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 b ...
. From 1990 until 1994, he was the chief editor of the newspaper ''
Sirp
''Sirp'' (; formerly ''Sirp ja Vasar'', 'sickle and hammer') is a newspaper published in 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 F ...
''. Since 1994 he is a freelancer. He has also worked as a film and television screenwriter.
In 1980, Kall was a signatory of the Letter of 40 intellectuals; a public letter in which 40 intellectuals attempted to defend the
Estonian language
Estonian ( ) is a Finnic language and the official language of Estonia. It is written in the Latin script and is the first language of the majority of the country's population; it is also an official language of the European Union. Estonian is sp ...
and expressed their protest against the recklessness of the Republic-level government in dealing with youth protests that were sparked a week earlier due to the banning of a public performance of the band
Propeller
A propeller (often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon a working flu ...
. The real reasons were much more deep-seated, and had to do primarily with the
Russification
Russification (), Russianisation or Russianization, is a form of cultural assimilation in which non-Russians adopt Russian culture and Russian language either voluntarily or as a result of a deliberate state policy.
Russification was at times ...
policies of the
Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin (also the Kremlin) is a fortified complex in Moscow, Russia. Located in the centre of the country's capital city, the Moscow Kremlin (fortification), Kremlin comprises five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Mosco ...
in occupied Estonia.
Since 1984, Kall has been a member of the
Estonian Writers Union
The Estonian Writers' Union (, abbr. EWU is a professional association of Estonian writers and literary critics.Marje Jõeste, Küllo Arjakas, ''The Baltic States'', Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers, 1991, page 64
History
The Estonian Writers ...
.
Awards
* 2006:
Order of the National Coat of Arms
The Order of the National Coat of Arms (, ) was instituted by Konstantin Päts on 7 October 1936 to commemorate 24 February 1918, the day on which Estonian independence was declared. The Order of the National Coat of Arms is bestowed only on Est ...
, IV class.
Works
Screenwritings
* 1973: ''Värvipliiatsid'',
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 ...
, animated film
* 1983: ''Sõlm'', Tallinnfilm, puppetry film
* 1986: ''Kevadine kärbes'', Tallinnfilm, puppetry film
* 1987: ''Magus planeet'', Tallinnfilm, puppetry film
* 1991: ''Ärasõit'', Tallinnfilm, animated film
* 1991: Hobuse aasta, Tallinnfilm, feature film
* 1991: '' Rahu tänav'', Tallinnfilm, feature film
* 1995–1998: ''M Klubi'', BEC, television series
* 1997: ''
Minu Leninid
''All My Lenins'' () is a 1997 Estonian historical comedy film by Hardi Volmer. It was produced by the Faama Film company in cooperation with Lenfilm.
Synopsis
In 1908, young Estonian politician Aleksander Kesküla ( Üllar Saaremäe) escaped ...
'', Faama Film, feature film
* 2001–2011: ''
Pehmed ja karvased
''Pehmed ja karvased'' () is an ''Estonian'' TV programme. The programme, partially inspired by the (now cancelled) NTV programme of '' Kukly'', uses a number of puppets to depict Estonian politicians, celebrities and metaphors, and features sa ...
'', BEC, television series
* 2002: ''Eesti valik 2001'', Raamatfilm, documentary film
* 2005: ''Mees animatsoonist'', Acuba Film, documentary film