Kerttu-Kaarina Suosalmi

Kerttu-Kaarina Suosalmi (9 September 1921 – 14 February 2001)[2] was a Finnish author, best known for depicting the ordinary struggles of the 'everyman'.[3]

Kerttu Kaarina Suosalmi-Kardén
Suosalmi in 1983
Suosalmi in 1983
Born(1921-09-09)9 September 1921
Lahti, Finland[1]
Died14 February 2001(2001-02-14) (aged 79)
Hollola, Finland[2]
Literary movementPost-modern realism
Notable awards
  • Finnish State Prize for Literature (x 4)
  • Aleksis Kivi Prize
  • Pro Finlandia medal

Works

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Suosalmi's first two publications were poetry collections.[3][4] After that, her other, over 20 works range from novels to short stories and fairytales, as well as stage plays and film scripts.[2]

Her themes included the dark side of provincial life and of the welfare society, and the mental and physical struggles of ordinary people, often underneath the visible surface.[5]

Her style has been described as rich and multi-layered, reminiscent of that of renaissance writers.[4]

Awards and recognition

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Suosalmi won the Finnish State Prize for Literature [fi] four times, in 1970, 1977, 1983 ja 1989.[2]

In 1976, she was awarded the Pro Finlandia [fi] medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[6]

In 1993, Suosalmi received the Aleksis Kivi Prize [fi] of the Finnish Literature Society for her career achievements.[2]

She was an honorary member of the Union of Finnish Writers.[4]

Personal life

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Suosalmi qualified as a social worker in 1946.[1][7] For a while she worked as a teacher, before embarking on her writing career full-time.[2]

She was married to the painter Jorma Kardén [fi], and the couple had one son.[1] She died only a few weeks after her husband.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Kuka Kukin On (Who's Who) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. 1978. p. 949. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Suosalmi, Kerttu-Kaarina" (in Finnish). Finnish Public Libraries. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Suosalmi, Kerttu-Kaarina". Uppslagsverket.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Kerttu-Kaarina Suosalmi kuollut". MTV Uutiset (in Finnish). 15 February 2001. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Suosalmi, Kerttu-Kaarina (1921-2001)" (in Finnish). National Biography of Finland. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Suomen Leijonan Pro Finlandia -mitalin saajat". Ritarikunnat.fi (in Finnish). The Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Ääni joka kertoi ja kuului rikkaana". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 15 February 2001. Retrieved 27 August 2024.