Hardi Tiidus

Hardi Tiidus
Tiidus in 1968
Born(1918-11-08)November 8, 1918
Tallinn, Estonia
DiedMarch 21, 1999(1999-03-21) (aged 80)
Tallinn, Estonia
Resting placeForest Cemetery, Tallinn
Alma materGustav Adolf Grammar School
University of Tartu
OccupationsTelevision presenter, editor, journalist, translator
Known forVana hõbe

Hardi Tiidus (8 November 1918 – 21 March 1999) was an Estonian television presenter, editor, journalist and translator.[1] He worked at Eesti Televisioon (ETV) from 1956 to 1978 and hosted programmes including Vana hõbe, Viis viie vastu and Vabadus, võrdsus, vendlus.[1] He was active in Estonia's quiz-game (mälumäng) culture and translated about fifty books into Estonian.[2] Tiidus was widely known by the nickname Vana Hõbe ("Old Silver").[3]

Early life and education

Tiidus was born in Tallinn on 8 November 1918.[1] He graduated from Gustav Adolf Grammar School in 1937 and studied civil engineering at Tallinn University of Technology from 1937 to 1941.[1] He later graduated from the University of Tartu in 1952 as a historian.[1]

Career

From 1956 to 1978, Tiidus worked at Eesti Televisioon (ETV), where he presented programmes including Vana hõbe, Viis viie vastu and Vabadus, võrdsus, vendlus.[1] ERR coverage of a memoir volume about him also discusses his work as a long-time television/radio staff member and book translator.[4]

Tiidus became a public populariser of classical antiquity through the ETV series Vana hõbe. The ERR archive listing describes the programme as a long-running series about ancient Greece and Rome (134 episodes).[5] A contemporary newspaper profile described it as a 135-part series and noted the publication of his book Vana hõbe. Lugusid Vana-Kreekast ja Vana-Roomast (1997).[6]

Translation work

According to the City of Tallinn, Tiidus translated about fifty books into Estonian.[2] A Sirp obituary also noted his work as a translator and public educator.[7]

Film appearances

Tiidus appeared in episodic roles in Estonian films; his screen credits are listed in the Estonian Film Database (EFIS).[8] Selected films include:

Legacy

A memorial plaque marking Tiidus's former home in Tallinn was unveiled in 2021.[2]

Further reading

  • Tootsen, Toivo (2013). Vana Hõbe. Hardi Tiidus ja inimesed tema ümber (in Estonian). Tallinn: Maagiline Ruum. ISBN 9789949940219.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Galerii: Meenuta Hardi Tiidust tema 100. sünniaastapäeval". ERR (in Estonian). 7 November 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Hardi Tiiduse elukohta tähistab nüüdsest mälestustahvel". Tallinn (in Estonian). 21 March 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Telemaja täitus Hardi Tiiduse unustamatu auraga". ERR (in Estonian). 10 November 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Raamat Hardi Tiidusest taaselustab tema anded ja krutskid". ERR (in Estonian). 4 November 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Vana hõbe". ERR arhiiv (in Estonian). Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Hardi Tiidus". Eesti Päevaleht (via DEA Digar) (in Estonian). 23 March 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Hardi Tiidus 8. XI 1918 – 21. III 1999". Sirp (in Estonian). 26 March 1999. p. 20. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Hardi Tiidus". Estonian Film Database (EFIS) (in Estonian). Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Mehed ei nuta". Estonian Film Database (EFIS). Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Varastati Vana Toomas". Estonian Film Database (EFIS). Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Noor pensionär". Estonian Film Database (EFIS). Retrieved 12 January 2026.