Sveta Grigorjeva publishes her first collection of miniatures

Estonian poet, critic and choreographer Sveta Grigorjeva has published her first collection of literary miniatures, titled Harilik kosmos, ERR reported. The book brings together texts written over the past three to four years.

Grigorjeva said she had not written a book like this before. She initially considered making it more lyrical, but decided to add her characteristic humour, grotesque elements and irony. She described the result as relatively bright in tone.

One summer, she set herself the task of writing seven miniatures each month to make a start in prose. Once she had gathered a substantial body of work, she wrote the final pieces specifically with the collection in mind. She said the miniatures let her develop ideas differently from her poetry, giving them more room while exploring subjects such as non-normative bodies and unusual ways of experiencing the world.

The book contains literary texts rather than pieces resembling opinion articles, Grigorjeva said. Some may draw on her life, but she reshapes the material into fiction. The collection was made with editor Kerli Ever, who also illustrated it. Grigorjeva said Ever had not illustrated a book before, but she had faith in her and was pleased with the illustrations.

Grigorjeva has begun working on longer prose, though she said she prefers not to make firm plans and wants the move to happen organically.