Atis Kronvalds
Encyclopedia
Atis Kronvalds or Kronvaldu Atis (15 April 1837 - 17 February 1875) was Latvian writer, linguist
and pedagogue.
family, but was raised by priests of Durbe
. After studies in Liepāja
he became a private teacher. In 1860 he started to study medicine at the University of Berlin; however, he left after half a year when he ran out of money. He returned to Latvia
, where he resumed work as a private teacher in Durbe.
" and became a passionate advocate of Latvian rights, language
, and culture. In 1865 he moved to Tartu
to study pedagogy at the University of Tartu
. In 1868 he became a teacher at the teacher seminary there. He participated in the social activities of local Latvian society; notably, he renewed the "Latvian evenings" tradition begun by Krišjānis Valdemārs
. He also wrote works of educational theory and several articles on education and linguistics. In 1872 he wrote Nationale Bestrebungen, the manifesto of the Young Latvians. In 1873 Kronvalds moved to Vecpiebalga
, where he worked as a teacher in a local school; he also participated by delivering two speeches, in the first Latvian Song and Dance Festival
in the same year. He is one of the most famous Latvian authors of all time.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
and pedagogue.
Early life
Kronvalds was born to a tailorTailor
A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally, especially suits and men's clothing.Although the term dates to the thirteenth century, tailor took on its modern sense in the late eighteenth century, and now refers to makers of men's and women's suits, coats, trousers,...
family, but was raised by priests of Durbe
Durbe
Durbe is a town in Latvia. Durbe was first noted in 1260, when the Battle of Durbe occurred near Lake Durbe.Town rights were granted to Durbe in 1893 and confirmed in 1917.Town coat of arms was granted in 1925 - a silver apple tree...
. After studies in Liepāja
Liepaja
Liepāja ; ), is a republican city in western Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea directly at 21°E. It is the largest city in the Kurzeme Region of Latvia, the third largest city in Latvia after Riga and Daugavpils and an important ice-free port...
he became a private teacher. In 1860 he started to study medicine at the University of Berlin; however, he left after half a year when he ran out of money. He returned to Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, where he resumed work as a private teacher in Durbe.
Participation in "Young Latvians" movement
After returning to Latvia, Kronvalds joined the Latvian nationalist movement "Young LatviansYoung Latvians
Young Latvians is the term most often applied to the intellectuals of the first Latvian National Awakening , active from the 1850s to the 1880s. "Jaunlatvieši" is also sometimes translated as "New Latvians," but "Young Latvians" is the more accurate term because it was modeled on the Young Germany...
" and became a passionate advocate of Latvian rights, language
Latvian language
Latvian is the official state language of Latvia. It is also sometimes referred to as Lettish. There are about 1.4 million native Latvian speakers in Latvia and about 150,000 abroad. The Latvian language has a relatively large number of non-native speakers, atypical for a small language...
, and culture. In 1865 he moved to Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
to study pedagogy at the University of Tartu
University of Tartu
The University of Tartu is a classical university in the city of Tartu, Estonia. University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia; it is the biggest and highest-ranked university in Estonia...
. In 1868 he became a teacher at the teacher seminary there. He participated in the social activities of local Latvian society; notably, he renewed the "Latvian evenings" tradition begun by Krišjānis Valdemārs
Krišjanis Valdemars
Krišjānis Valdemārs was a writer, editor, educator, politician, lexicographer, folklorist and economist, the spiritual leader of the first Latvian National Awakening and the most prominent member of the Young Latvia...
. He also wrote works of educational theory and several articles on education and linguistics. In 1872 he wrote Nationale Bestrebungen, the manifesto of the Young Latvians. In 1873 Kronvalds moved to Vecpiebalga
Vecpiebalga
Vecpiebalga is a village in Vecpiebalga municipality, Latvia. Vecpiebalga had 596 residents as of 2006....
, where he worked as a teacher in a local school; he also participated by delivering two speeches, in the first Latvian Song and Dance Festival
Latvian Song and Dance Festival
The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is an important event in Latvian culture and social life. The All-Latvian Song and Dance Festival has been held since 1873, normally every five years. During the festivals exhibitions of photography, art and folk craft, orchestra concerts, and a festive parade...
in the same year. He is one of the most famous Latvian authors of all time.