2022
Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Annual Award for literature, nomination in the poetry category: poetry collection Sirens and Plumes (2022).
2022
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- foto: Arno Mikkor
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- foto: Arno Mikkor
Learning Deed of the Year, special award for teaching Estonian language and culture to Ukrainians (Igor Kotjuh), Järvamaa.
The award was presented by Tõnis Lukas, Minister of Education and Research.
Explanation: This year’s special award for the Learning Deed of the Year went to writer and translator Igor Kotjuh from Järva County for teaching Estonian language and culture to Ukrainians. As soon as the refugees arrived, Igor began providing support and teaching them the Estonian language. Apart from teaching them the language, Igor also familiarised Ukrainians with Estonian culture, customs, and traditions, and guided them on how to interact with authorities and use the internet effectively, thereby enabling them to become self-sufficient in Estonian society. According to Kersti Kivisoo, the principal of Paide Hillar Hanssoo Basic School, the initial language and cultural education had a more relaxed and casual approach. The course has been taking place once a week at Hillar Hanssoo Basic School since March, thanks to the approval of the local authorities who have granted permission for the free use of the school premises.
The award was presented by: Ministry of Education and Research and the Association of Estonian Adult Educators (Andras).
VIDEO and INTRODUCTION
2022
Learning Deed of the Year 2022 (Järvamaa): Igor Kotjuh – for teaching Estonian language and culture to Ukrainians.
Explanation: Igor’s devoted efforts have facilitated the provision of assistance and education to numerous Ukrainian families who have settled in Paide. Once a week gatherings took place at Paide Hillar Hanssoo Basic School. The training has enabled Ukrainians to gain a deeper understanding of Estonian culture, its people and language. As a result, they have become more self-sufficient in integrating into Estonian society.
The award was presented by Ministry of Education and Research, the Association of Estonian Adult Educators (Andras) and Järvamaa adult coordinator.
2022
Järvamaa Culture Prize, Järvamaa Expert Group of the Cultural Endowment of Järvamaa.
Explanation: For versatile literary activities.
2021
Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Annual Prize for Literature (Literary Award for Russian-language authors) for The Isolation Tapes (Стихотворения и заметки) (2020)
Explanation: Poetic response to current events (keeping up with the changing times through Igor Kotjuh’s poetry collection).
2021
Juhan Liiv Poetry Prize nominee with the poem *my name burdens me… (published in the cultural magazine Vikerkaar No 4-5/2020).
2018
Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Annual Prize for Literature (Literary Award for a Russian-language author) for A naturally special story (2017 Естественно особенный случай)
2016
Русская Премия (Москва), специальный приз и диплом “За вклад в развитие и сбережение традиций русской культуры за пределами Российской Федерации”. Обоснование: “За плодотворную творческую и переводческую деятельность, поддерживающую и продвигающую русскоязычных поэтов Эстонии; за издание книг, журналов; создание сетевых журналов, где русскоязычные поэты встречаются с русскими собратьями по перу”.
2015
Tallinn’s medal of honour (raemedal)
Explanation: ‘Igor Kotjuh receives the Medal of Honour for introducing Estonian literature in Russian to the people of Tallinn,’ Deputy Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart stated. ‘Thanks to a series of events organised by him, the Department of Literature in Foreign Languages at Tallinn Central Library has become a meeting place for Russian-speaking literature lovers.’ Starting in 2012 Igor Kotjuh has been coordinating a series of events known as Readers’ Thursdays (Читательский четверг) in the Department of Literature in Foreign Languages in cooperation with Tallinn Central Library. The goal of Readers’ Thursdays is to provide a monthly literary gathering for individuals interested in Russian-language literature. During these events, writers and literary experts introduce books, literary trends and events from Estonia and around the world to the attendees.
2015
Media Prize of the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People (MISA) and the Ministry of Culture. Explanation: For the portal oblaka.ee, the event series Readers’ Thursday (Читательский четверг), the online magazine New Clouds (Uued Pilved) and the Facebook literary blog.
2015
Order of the White Star V Class Explanation: Igor Kotjuh is a multifaceted artist who writes poetry and prose, and translates literature. His work has been translated into various languages and he also works as a translator, translating Estonian poetry, essays and children’s literature into Russian.
2014
Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Annual Award for Literature (Literary Award for Russian-language authors) for the Estonian Design (Эстонский дизайн, KITE 2013)
2014
Nominated for the Tallinn University Literature Award for Estonian Design (Эстонский дизайн, KITE 2013).
2012
Media Award of the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People (MISA) and the Ministry of Culture (with P. I. Filimonov). Explanation: Igor Kotjuh and P. I. Filimonov (also known as Roman Fokin) were awarded a scholarship for their radio programme called Vitrage of Words (Витраж из слов) on Radio 4, which focuses on contemporary Estonian and Estonian-Russian literature.
2012
Nominee for the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Free Award: Igor Kotjuh (compiler), Tenacity to Be Brave. Poets about Poetry. 21 essays.
2011
The President’s Cultural Foundation’s Special Award for a Young Cultural Figure to Igor Kotjuh, a poet, essayist, translator and shaper of a more prejudice-free society in Estonia.
Explanation: The Estonian Institute has nominated Igor Kotjuh, acknowledging his expertise as a respected poet, essayist and versatile translator. However, they have also recognised his exceptional role as a strong advocate of Estonian literature. They have noted his acute sensitivity to the differences between cultural spaces, and more significantly, his ability to transcend these boundaries. The primary cultural-political objective of Igor Kotjuh’s creative and organisational endeavours can be considered to be the enrichment the Estonian literary scene with texts that draw on both Estonian and Russian literary traditions, resulting in the emergence of a new type and standard of literature – Estonian-Russian synthesised literature. To accomplish this objective, Kotjuh has facilitated the collaboration of young Russian writers in Estonia, encouraging them to pursue their literary interests, establish connections with their Estonian counterparts and find commonalities with the Estonian cultural community. To further this goal, he established online literary publications and founded the KITE publishing house. Kotjuh’s efforts are not confined to fostering dialogue within Estonia; he is also a valued ambassador of Estonian culture abroad. For instance, his lecture series on Estonian literature, including Estonian-Russian literature, at St. Petersburg University was well-received and highly regarded.
2008
Bernard Kangro Literary Award for the collection In Another Language (Teises keeles) (2007).
2005
Looming Annual Prize, poetry selection translated by the author in the literary magazine Looming 12/2004.