Berit Kaschan publishes poetry collection blending old and new work

Estonian author Berit Kaschan has published her fifth poetry collection, “Vähemalt pool muinasjuttu” (“At least half a fairy tale”), bringing together selected work from her earlier books and several new poems, ERR reports.

The collection explores the joys and hardships of being human, as well as the comforting knowledge that none of us knows exactly how to live. Kaschan said poetry plays an important role in preserving humanity.

“I like the idea that poetry records the history of human hearts,” she said. “In a world that still measures time through the history of wars, poetry is undoubtedly essential for survival.” She said poetry can help people remember that they are human, and that she continues to seek a balance between respecting herself and not taking herself too seriously, in writing and in life.

Earlier in 2026, Kaschan won the Estonian Cultural Endowment’s annual literature award in the poetry category for her collection “Aprill.”