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Finnish writer (1926–2022) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jaakko Syrjä (7 March 1926[2] – 22 May 2022) was a Finnish writer.[3] He served as the president of the Union of Finnish Writers from 1975 to 1980.[1]
Jaakko Syrjä | |
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![]() Syrjä (center in the back) with Harri Kaasalainen and Veikko Pihlajamaki, Soile Kaukovalta and Ilpo Kaukovalta in 1958 | |
Born | Pälkäne, Finland | 7 March 1926
Died | 22 May 2022 96) Ylöjärvi, Finland | (aged
Occupation | Writer |
Spouse | Kirsi Kunnas[1] |
Children | 2[1] |
Syrjä was born in Pälkäne, the son of Martta née Niemiö and Juho Nestori Syrjä, who were both cattle traders and farmers.[2] At the age of seven, he and his family moved from Hirsilä to Korkeakoski.[2] Syrjä then moved to Tampere,[2] where he worked for the railroad equipment and steam locomotive manufacturing company Lokomo.[4] In 1953 his story "There came the Bear" win Best Short Story in the Pirkanmaa Writing Competition.[2]
He later worked as an editor for Gummerus and WSOY.[5] Syrjä was a member of the Union of Finnish Writers from 1970 to 1975,[2] and president from 1975 to 1980.[1] He worked with novelist Kalle Päätalo adapting works for publication.[4] Syrjä was a member of the Väinö Linna Society.[2]
Syrjä won the City of Tampere Literature Prize three times from 1956 to 1988.[6] He also was a winner of the Thanks for the Book Award in 1966.[6] Syrjä was nominated for the Finlandia Prize in 1988.[1] He was a winner of the Väinö Linna Prize in 2005.[6] In 2016, Syrjä was awarded the Pirkanmaa Art Prize by the Pirkanmaa Arts Council.[7]
Syrjä died of COVID-19 in May 2022, aged 96, at a care home in Ylöjärvi.[1]
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