Ester Kuntu praises influential Estonian women of her generation

Actress Ester Kuntu said at a reception in the president’s rose garden that working as a freelance actor in Estonia is highly chaotic, but that she sees it as a form of artistic freedom, ERR reported.

Kuntu, this year’s Lauter Prize laureate, said she was grateful to be living in the same era as women such as Teele Pärn, Doris Kareva and Merike Estna.

“Every person is unique, and it is almost impossible to say what makes someone mysterious or special,” Kuntu said. “But when I think about the past year, I am so happy to live at the same time as such extraordinary people.”

She highlighted Pärn’s performance as Ophelia in Rainer Sarnet’s production of “Hamlet” at the Estonian Drama Theatre, Kareva’s book “Found from the Earth, Translated into the Wind: Prayers and Reflections,” which she said had helped her greatly, and Estna’s participation in the Venice Biennale.

“They are all such powerful women, and I am proud to be their contemporary. It is very special,” Kuntu said.

In the summer production “Baskin,” Kuntu portrayed actress Ita Ever. She also had the opportunity to perform on stage alongside Ever.

“It was a very powerful experience to work with Ita. There was such diligence and genius in one person, incredible passion and incredible inspiration. She never complained,” Kuntu said.