Estonian writer and humorist Priit Aimla dies at 85

Estonian humorist, writer and politician Priit Aimla died on Friday at the age of 85, ERR reported. Aimla was born on April 19, 1941.

He worked as an editor of entertainment programmes at Estonian Radio from 1968 to 1988. Alongside his editorial work, he began writing humorous sketches for the radio programme Meelejahutaja.

From 1988, Aimla worked as a freelance journalist, writer and stage performer. He wrote humorous sketches, plays, variety shows, librettos and song lyrics.

Aimla wrote the lyrics for the children’s productions Üle linna Vinski and Onu Tik-Taki seiklused in 1981. He also wrote scripts for television programmes including Päkapikula in 1980, Evergreen-show in 1981, Kuidas veab in 1989 and Teeveejahutaja in 2004.

Since the 1970s, he published numerous works, including Kahe kuhja vahel in 1976, Läbi lagede in 1989, Seitse korda seitse in 1990, Me käisime seaduste mäel in 2000 and Igal linnul oma laul in 2009.

Aimla was a member of the Estonian Congress and served two terms in the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, from 1992 to 1995 and from 1995 to 1999. In 2006, he received the Order of the State Coat of Arms, Fourth Class.

His son is musician and educator Siim Aimla, while his granddaughter is actress Laura Võigemast.