The world of "Spring"

A streetwear brand Marat connected Covid-19 and Spring in its new clothing line. The prints on T-shirts and face masks feature famous characters and their well-known catchphrases: for instance, Teele saying “Käsi minema!” (“Go away!”). The campaign by Eesti Express, Marat and Sangar aims to support people through difficult times and remind them about the bravery of Paunvere students. 

• Collection in Marat online shop

Kogumik „Paunvere lõpp. Kuidas eesti kirjanikud „Kevadet“ kirjutaksid. 69 paroodiat. Koostanud Toomas Kall 

Toomas Kall otsib selles kogumikus vastust küsimusele, kuidas eesti kirjanikud „Kevadet” kirjutaksid.

Esimesed vastused — Mati Undi, Holger Puki ja Vaino Vahingu moodi „Kevaded” — ilmusid ajakirja „Pikker” 16/1975 paroodialisas „Käkker”, viimane — Mehis Heinsaare laadi „Kevade” — ajakirjas „Looming” 12/2017. Selles kogumikus jõuavad ühtede kaante vahele kõik kahekümne viie eesti kirjaniku kujuteldavad „Kevaded”, mis seni on ilmunud, lisaks tosin veel avaldamata paroodiat. Enamik neist uus-„Kevadetest” on kas lühemad või pikemad jutustused, kuid on ka luulet, samuti on esindatud aforismid (Arvo Valton), kuuldemäng (Jüri Tuulik), päevik (Tõnu Õnnepalu), kirjavahetus (Jaan Kaplinski), e-kirjavahetus (Mart Juur) ja koguni traktaat (Olev Remsu).

The ballet Spring (original title Kevade) was staged by Ruslan Stepanov in Vanemuine theatre in 2009. The play was performed by an international cast of dancers, with a lead role of Arno played by japanese dancer Takuya Sumitomo. The director explained his artistic choices: “In order for the production to be original, I must be totally free to give up Oskar Luts’ artistic imagery and create my own aesthetic world formed by my own understanding of beauty and harmony. <...> I tried to convey the inner world of Arno through the general atmosphere of the play, by using the language of dreams, allegory, signs and symbols”

• Webpage of the play in Vanemuine theatre

This caricature by Ave Taavet was published in Estonian newspaper Eesti Päevaleht (20.03.2020) in the section "Weekly mirror". The work refers to the first sentence of the novel and connects it to the topic of school education in the context coronacrisis. The caption reads: "When Arno and his father arrived at the schoolhouse, the online classes had already begun".

The work of Oskar Luts has become a source of numerous catchphrases that are regularly used in conversations and mass media. The most famous one is the opening sentence of the novel: "When Arno and his father arrived at the schoolhouse, classes had already begun". Some sayings of different characters, such as Arno, Teele, Toots or Lible, have also become extremely popular.

The selection of memes inspired by Spring was created by Estonian paper Eesti Express and clothing brands Marat and Sangar to support their line of COVID-19 design. The memes connect well-known scenes from Spring to the hot topic of coronavirus. The whole campaign is called Corona Spring 2020 (Koroonakevade 2020) and has a slogan “Crazy times demand strong spirits! Let’s live through corona spring the Estonian way!”

• Article in Eesti Ekspress

The stencil by famous Estonian street artist Edward von Lõngus appeared on the wall of Palamuse shop in 2014. The work connects Arvo Kruusement's Spring to Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction: Arno and Joosep are depicted as legendary hitmen Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield. The stencil simultaneously pays homage to American motives present in Spring: the title “Die, dog!” (Sure, koer!) refers to an episode, where the boys play out scenes from their favorite westerns. Kentucky lion and Damascus steel are the most distinctive elements of the "American" storyworld. Kentucky lion, also known as Daniel Boone, was a founder of Kentucky’s earliest settlements (1734-1820). Damascus steel refers to the knife that was taken over by Boone from Native Americans in the battle of the Wilderness Road leading to Kentucky. 

• Video about the stencil by Edward von Lõngus

The election of Toots and Teele is one of the oldest traditions of Palamuse Gymnasium. The honorary title of Toots was awarded for the first time in 1977, while Teele has been chosen since 1988. Both students and teachers take part in secret voting, and the winners are revealed each November at the assembly. During the ceremony of initiation the winners answer questions and make an oath. The idea was proposed by the founder and long-term director of Palamuse museum Vaike Lapp.

Locally grown vegetables and herbs played a key role in the diet of Paunvere students. In one chapter Luts depicted students preparing seed beds: Toots mixed all the seeds and put them in one bed, so it was impossible to tell where each herb was. The catchphrase "Toots' garden" (Tootsi peenar) is nowadays used to describe something messy and heterogenous. For example, a family meal “Toots’ garden” in Juulamõisa cafe combines many ingredients, such as roast pork, crispy chicken, sauerkraut, sour cream, fried potatoes, vegetables, fresh salad, cucumber and tomato.

• Family meal “Toots’ garden” at Juulamõisa cafe

Kentucky Lion pub opened in Pärnu in 2011 in a peculiar building that was used for selling farm products  back in the 19th century. After that it was owned by the member of city government Carl Woldemar Normann, later became Smirnov boutique and then a restaurant. Kentucky Lion is Joosep’s favourite character from James Fenimore Cooper's novels, whose personality is based on Daniel Boone, a founder of Kentucky’s earliest settlements (1734-1820). Kentucky Lion exemplifies the adventures and spirit of pioneers of settlers in early America and is believed to be as important for Kentucky, as George Wachington was for American Revolution.

• Article about Kentuki lõvi pub in Pärnu Postimees
• Aarne Ruben on the role of America in Spring

Põhjala Brewery in Tallinn has given its beer the name of Kolumbus Krisostomus – the same as was offered by Toots for Kiir’s brother. The beer is made from aged madeira, whereas Madeira is a name of Portuguese archipelago, where Columbus spent some time on his way to America. This clever naming refers both to Spring and to the place of origin of the brew. 

• Huno Rätsep on the origin of the name Kolumbus Krisostomus
• Radio show about the original of the name

Latipac is the name of wine that Joosep and Kiir stole from the pantry and got drunk with it. While Toots claimed that “Latipac” translates as “really sweet”, the name has a different origin. According to a wine seller from Tartu who was frequently visited by Oskar Luts, in the times of Russian Empire one could buy wine called Capital. The brand became so popular that one of the competitors decided to use its reversed name – Latipac.  Eventually Latipac has become more well-known than its predecessor and is sold even nowadays. 

• Article about Latipac company
• Radio show about Latipac on Vikerraadio

In 2019 Estonian rapper Madrus released a song called "Paunvere" that can be considered a musical spin-off of Spring. The song describes what Oskar Luts' characters are doing when the author does not see them. When Luts leaves his writing on the table, legendary dwellers of Paunvere set up a party. 

• Paunvere by Madrus
• Interview with Madrus on Sky.ee

Spring in the heart (original title Kevad südames) is a musical feature film for children produced by Mati-Jüri Põldre in 1985. The story inspired by the original Luts’ novel is set in a summer camp for young singers and dancers. The traits of Luts’ characters are recognisable in boys and girls from the camp: Toomas with a silver voice, pretty girl Elle, disco fan Tõnis and grumpy teacher. Children rehearse their own production of Luts’ Spring but something goes wrong and the main actor – loosely based on Toots – loses his voice. That’s when Toomas rises from the audience and starts singing.

• Spring in the heart in EFIS

The building of Oskar Luts House Museum in Tartu was the last home of the writer. The visitors can peek into an ascetic study and a guest room, as well as become acquainted with the life and work of the author. The permanent exhibition focuses on the writer’s life and abundant literary work as well as on the role of theatre and film in transforming his characters into iconic and epic figures that new generations are including in their stories and narratives. The Oskar Luts Home Museum is a branch of Tartu City Museum.

The Humor award (Huumoripreemia) in the name of Oskar Luts has been awarded to Estonian cultural figures since 1987. The prize is awarded to authors and collectives who gave the nation the biggest laugh. In the Soviet era, the candidates were chosen by the members of kolkhos Kevade, editorial staff of humour magazine Pikker, and Estonian Writers Union. For the first time the prize was awarded to comic and journalist Priit Aimla. By the way, Andrus Kivirähk became the prize winner in 1994. the award is supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Jõgeva administration.

A mural on the wall of Rakvere Cultural center was created as a result of competition for the 100th Anniversary of the Estonian Republic. The competition organized by the center aimed to bring more youth and modern art into the city space. The jury has chosen Edgar Tedresaar's work inspired by a famous scene from Spring. The artist commented: "When Arno arrived to school, Toots already knew that Estonian Republic would turn once 100 years"

Article about EV-100 project in Rakvere

Drug store is a historical building in Palamuse that once was Luts family home. Although Oskar was born in Järvepera village nearby, he lived in Palamuse since he was four and went to local parish school. A shoemaker workshop and house on the lake Vekijärv were built by his father Hidrik Luts. When the family moved to another place, they sold the house to Goldgerg who opened a drug store there. To this day the owners have preserved the historical appearance of the drug store. In addition to usual medicine, the drug store offers some local treats, such as black balsam (Punsli Õli). By the way, Oskar Luts himself studied pharmaceutics at the University of Tartu, worked in different pharmacies around Estonia and also served as a pharmacist in WWI. 

• Article about Palamuse drug store in Postimees

Palamuse museum gives an opportunity to see Palamuse parish schoolhouse as it looked like in 1895. The historical part of the museum includes the classroom and living rooms of the parish clerk. In the new modern building visitors can explore the historical background of Spring and get an overview of the school life in the 19th century. The permanent exhibition features several interactive objects: for instance, one can play on Laur's violin, put a hand into Toots’ pocket or try to get Latipac wine from the pantry.

Primavera in Paunvere (original title Primavera Paunveres) is an experimental performance that merges Oskar Luts’ story with Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring (1913) and Sandro Botticelli’s painting Primavera (c. 1470). The play was staged by Sasha Pepeljaev in Viljandi’s Ugala theatre in 2017. The director juxtaposes the platonic relationship of Arno and Teele in Spring with pagan motives of Stravinsky and sensuous imagery of Botticelli. The story is ageless and very modern at the same time. Just like Spring was the first Arvo Kruusement’s film, Primavera in Paunvere was Pepeljaev’s diploma work in Viljandi Culture Academy.

A stencil portrait of Oskar Luts can be found at the fence of the writer's House Museum in Tartu. The portrait features a quote from Luts' novel Summer (Suvi): "Well, if you're not kidding now, it's a pretty nice joke". The work was not originally related to the museum and was painted by SirLudvig, a street artist from Tartu. 

• Online blog with SirLudvig's works

Haunted Spring (original title Nõitud kevade) is a play by Toomas Suuman first performed in Palamuse museum in 2012. The episodes from O. Luts’ life are intertwined with colorful stories of his characters. The name refers to the last years of Luts, filled with doubt whether he had achieved anything in his life besides writing Spring. The masterpiece seems to haunt its master, giving rise to internal struggles and ruthless self-analysis. This shows a different side of Luts – not of a classic writer, but of a human.

• Webpage of the play on Teater.ee
• Review by Marie Killman in Postimees

The play Sacristan (original title Köster) by Andrus Kivirähk premiered in Tallinn City Theatre in 2016. As the title implies, the story is told from the perspective of köster, an assistant to pastor and head of Paunvere parish school. Whereas Luts did not elaborate on the background of vicious and abrupt sacristan Julk-Jüri, Kivirähk tries to imagine who his parents were, what he was like as a little boy and whether this little boy can still be found somewhere in his adult soul. In the words of Kivirähk, Julk-Jüri “is a person who has forgotten his childhood, an adult with a big “A” who insists that people take care of their souls and who does not tolerate any play”.

• Webpage of the play in Tallinn City Theatre
• Review by Jan Kaus in Sirp

Major Estonian writer Andrus Kivirähk has developed several scripts based on Oskar Luts’ works, and Spring Luts (original title Kevadine Luts) is one of them. The play staged by Uku Uusberg was first performed in Estonian Drama Theater in 2012. It tells the story of the young Oskar Luts and people around him while he was working on his first novel Spring. In the words of the director, it could have been interesting to establish connections between the characters of Spring Luts and Spring; however, “not a single character from the original Spring is featured in the play”.

• Introduction of the play on ERR

The eternal spring of Paunvere boys (original title Paunvere poiste igavene kevade) was staged in Rakvere in 2018 by Urmas Lennuk. The play covers 20 years of Paunvere history and is based on Oskar Luts’ novels Spring, Summer, Workdays and Toots’ Wedding. The main character is Kiir – an arrogant and cowardly student, whose motives and backstory were not much elaborated in the original text. Yet, as noted by Lennuk, this character should be also given a chance. By choosing Kiir the director aimed to discover what makes him human and, in his own words, tried “save this character from the Estonian classics”. 

• Webpage of the play in Rakvere theatre
• Interview with Urmas Lennuk on ERR

A small cafe in Palamuse museum bears the name of Tõnisson. This boy, whose first name is never mentioned in Spring, appears eating in many episodes of the film. No surprise that his love for food became an inspiration for the ones who named the e museum cafe.

• Webpage of the cafe on Visitestonia

Apart from electing Toots and Teele in the gymnasium, there are many other traditions related to Oskar Luts’ heritage in Palamuse and throughout Estonia. For instance, the local wrestling competition bears the name of Tõnisson, Arno Tali fund supports the university studies of the students from the countryside, while the title of “Teacher Laur” had been awarded to Estonian village teachers. There are also traditions connected to other Luts’ works: elections of Nuki, Iti and Kusti in Nukitsamees kindergarten (the names coming from eponymous children book) and an annual vegetable contest inspired by the play Cabbage-head (original title Kapsapea).

Tujurikkuja is Estonian TV-show that ran on ETV on New Year Eve in 2008-2015. The show was known for its provocative sketches that treated the most relevant cultural and social topics with self-irony and humour. One of the episodes was inspired by Spring – an emotional scene from the film when Arno had a cold.

• Article about Tujurikkuja show in Wikipedia