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We invite you to read about diiferent famous personalities from Europe and their families.

These passages are part of the eTwinning project Different Families- common values.
Pupils from Moldova, Turkey, Estonia and Latvia presented famous families from thier countries paying attention to the values they have and cherrish.

Moldova

1. Grigore Vieru

My hero is Grigore Vieru, a famous Moldovan writer. I believe he is more than a poet; he is the soul of my country. From childhood we grow with his poems for children, then we fall in love again with his poems dedicated to women and love and finally, we grow old through his poems about mother, life, and death.

Grigore Vieru was born on February 14, 1935, in the family of Pavel and Eudochia Vieru who were farmers. He graduated from the 7th-grade school in his native village in 1950, after which he graduated from middle school in Lipcani in 1953. In 1957, being a student, he published his first poems for children which were highly appreciated by critics. After he graduated from the Faculty of Philology and History in 1959 he became the editor of a newspaper for children. In 1960 he married Raisa Nacu, a Romanian and Latin teacher, and is engaged as the editor of a magazine. The year 1968 was the turning point of his career and destiny as he published a volume of lyrical poems, which was considered the most original book of the year. During his life, Grigore Vieru wrote thousands of poems for children, many dedicated to mothers, women, love, and motherland. Many of his poems were turned into famous songs.

In 1988 he is awarded the most prestigious international distinction for children's books - Andersen's Award. He was elected an Honorary Member of the Romanian Academy and in 1992 he was recommended for the Nobel Peace Prize. On January 16, 2009, Vieru suffered a serious traffic accident and died of severe injuries two days later. It is believed that his funeral was attended by about 10,000 people.

For the poet, physical disappearance did not mean death; he lives through his poetry, through the beautiful seeds he planted into the souls of his readers. Several schools in Moldova, a boulevard in Chisinau, and a street in Iasi are named in honor of Grigore Vieru. On February 11, 2010, three days before his birthday, the bust of the poet was installed on the Classic Alley in Chisinau.

Grigore Vieru is my hero because he was able to reproduce the history of our nation in his poems; he was able to defend our country and its Latin origin through poetry. He knew the best how to put together words like Language, Mother, Love, and Motherland and therefore he deserves the crown of our gratitude. He was the poet of Love, Love of the Country, and Love of the Truth. He brought back to the Moldovan people their biggest treasure - the Latin alphabet and the Romanian language. He reminded them about their values. He urged them to preserve these treasures and pass them on to future generations. That is why Grigore Vieru is my hero.

2. Mihai Eminescu

Romanian poet and writer Mihai Eminescu was born in 1850 in Moldova. He was one of the most prolific and popular poets of his age, publishing his first poem when he was only 16. His enduring masterpiece is considered to be the work Luceafărul or The Evening Star.

Born into a wealthy family, Eminescu attended school in Cernauti and wrote a poem in memory of a teacher who died in 1866. This was quickly followed by another verse, If I Were to Have, that was published in the magazine Familia and was to mark the start of a constant stream of publications over his short life.

In 1889 the poet found work researching the history and folklore of Romania with the Orient literary group and was sent to Moldova to uncover his country’s past.

Eminescu was extremely active in student life and became firm friends with Ioan Slavici whom he encouraged to write.

Eminiescu was considered a romantic poet but he wrote on a wide range of themes from nature and love, to deep social commentary. Some of his most well-known works include The Lake written in 1876 and Desire in 1884. He was said to be influenced by the style of Schopenhauer and his poem The Evening Star, published in 1884, indeed contains elements of the great poet’s philosophy. In the years after his death, the poems and writing of Eminescu had a profound impact on Romanian society and he was a staple of school curriculums for a long time.

At the age of just 39, he died at a sanatorium in Bucharest. Even today he is deemed to be the national poet of Romania and his portrait appeared on their banknotes.

3. Iulia Hasdeu

Born in 1869, Iulia Hasdeu was the genius child of Romanian culture who studied French at the age of two, and who, by the age of eight, was already writing poems and prose in both Romanian and French. By the age of eleven, she graduated from St. Sava Gymnasium and the Conservatory of Music from Bucharest, exceeding in the field of piano and canto.

Having inherited the outstanding intellect of her father, she became the first Romanian woman to study at the prestigious La Sorbonne University in Paris, France. She was writing her doctoral thesis on Romanian folk philosophy: logic, metaphysics, psychology, ethics, and theodicy when she contracted tuberculosis.
Despite her intense fidelity to intellectualism, she was forced to give up her studies in the April of 1888. Her parents took her to doctors in Montreux, Switzerland, and to the Agapia monastery in Bucharest. Eventually, however, they brought her home. Iulia succumbed to tuberculosis and died on the 29th of September, 1888. She was only eighteen years old.
With her passing Iulia left behind a devastated father. B.P. Hasdeu, the “genius of great vastness”1 who was already well-respected as a writer and philologist, spent the rest of his life publishing her works and memories. He also dedicated himself to finding ways to keep in touch with her spirit. While Iulia’s death may have been a tragic loss for Romanian culture, it was the catalyst for her father’s dramatic shift to spiritism.

Latvia

1. Kristaps Neretnieks

Kristaps Neretnieks (born 2 August 1989) is a Latvian athlete and competes in jumping. Memorable sporting achievement, winning several competitions with his Moon Ray gelding.
A Latvian show jumping competitor. He represented Latvia at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo 2021, finishing 23rd in individual jumping.
Born in Riga.
Now the horse Moon Ray have retired and Kristaps is competing with Valour.

2. Antons Bārda

Born in (1891. In Pociems, died in 1981.)
He was a poet. He was educated at the Faculty of Philology and Philosophy of the University of Latvia, where he studied philosophy. Worked as a Latvian language teacher at the Riga Polish Gymnasium (1925–1940), and was also the director of this gymnasium (1935–1940). Author of several collections of poems - "God of Songs" (1930), "Puķe pagalvī" (1971), the collection "Eternal Summer" (1981) was published after the author's death, unpublished poetry was also published. The poetry of Anton Bardas is dominated by a romantic and pantheistic view of the world, religious motifs, impressions of nature, he wrote love lyrics andcreated poems also as realistic genre paintings, classical verse forms characteristic of poetry. Brother of the poet Fritz Barda (1880–1919).

3. Mareks Bahmanis

Mareks Bahmanis is a famous 42 year old rap artist who films tiktoks for fun.
He represents the massive company "fēniks azartspēļu kompleks".
He is a crypto investor and a full time droppshiper.

4. Laima Vaikule

Laima Vaikule is a popular Latvian actress, singer, director, and choreographer, best known in Europe and in the former USSR for such popular hits as "Vernisage" and "Charlie," among other songs. She was born on March 31, 1954, in Cēsis, Latvia. Her parents moved to Riga when she was three. Young Laima was fond of music and dancing. In 1966, at the age of 12, she took part in a competition of young singers and was noticed. Between 1970 and 1973, she studied nursing at the Vilnius Medical College, while also continuing to sing with a band. Eventually she became a lead singer with a local band in Riga, Latvia and worked night gigs at local clubs and restaurants for several years.

In the 1980s she studied acting and directing at Moscow State Institute for Theatrical Arts, graduating as actress and director. In 1985, Laima Vaikule made her first hit in the Soviet Union.

Since 1986, Vaikule has been enjoying a fruitful collaboration with popular Latvian composer, Raimonds Pauls, and Russian poet Ilya Reznik, who wrote such hits as "Vernisage", "Charlie" and "Skripach na kryshe". She is among the original organizers of the Jurmala Festival of popular music, along with Raimond Pauls. During the 1980s and 1990s Laima Vaikule was a regular participant at international music competitions and festivals across Europe. Vaikule was awarded the Golden Lyra at "Bratislavská Lýra, 87", was guest singerand a host at "Jurmala 92" festival, and also took part at "AU music world" in Monaco, among other festivals and competitions. She was awarded the title National Actress of Latvia and was awarded the Grand Prix for her special contribution to the music and culture of Latvia. Here’s few of her musics: https://youtu.be/EKm-H8_Oxrk & https://youtu.be/rC4d1Ljuk2o & https://youtu.be/tatxJz0hcVQ

5. Raimonds Pauls

He is a Latvian composer and profesional pianist. He also was a Minister of Culture of Latvia from 1988 to 1993.
Manai dzimtenei
Raimonds Pauls is the most acclaimed of Latvian composers, best known in the former Soviet Union, in Europe and Japan for his popular hits "Million roses" and "Maestro" as well as for his film scores and choral music.

6. Kaspars Gorkšs

Is a former Latvian footballer, played as a defender, former captain of the Latvian national team. From April 2018 to October 2019, he was the president of the Latvian Football Federation. In March 2020, Gorkš became the executive director of the Latvian Team Sports Games Association, on whose board he previously served.

7. Raimonds Pauls

Raimonds Pauls is a Latvian composer, pianist, politician, producer.

In R. Paula's range of approximately 3,000 compositions, the main place is occupied by song, followed by musical theater, instrumental, theater and cinema music.

In 1946, R. Pauls was admitted to the ten-year music school at the Latvian State Conservatory. Until 1949, while studying in the 7th elementary school, R. Pauls played accompaniment for artistic gymnasts, the choir, performed at concerts and other events. From the age of 14, he played the piano in various dance ensembles, gradually learned the art of improvisation and the jazz alphabet, and began composing.

8. Fricis Bārda

Fricis Bārda was born in a family of landlords in Rumbinių, Pociems. Studied at Pociem parish school, Umurga parish school and Limbažu city school. From 1898 to 1901, he studied at the Valka Teachers' Seminary, which was located in Riga at that time.
In 1906 he went to Vienna to study philosophy, fascinated by the German romantics, especially the deviation of intuitionism. In 1911, his first collection of poems "Son of the Earth" was published, the layout of which was designed by Janis Rozentāls. After a year, he returned to Latvia, worked in Riga as a teacher at the Ata Ķeniņa real school. Worked in the magazines "Stari" and"Zalktis", met the composer Emīlas Dārziņas and the painter Jani Rozentāls. Gave lectures in J. Dubura's dramatic courses.
In the fall of 1918, he returned to Riga and was a teacher of Latvian language and literature at the Baltic Technical University.

9. Intars Busulis

Intars Busulis a Latvian singer, trombonist and musician in a Musical Union Intars Busulis & Abonementa orķestris. Wider recognition came from participation in a band called "Caffe", in 2001. Also, he has been the winner of several music competitions (including the Grand Prix of the "New Wave" in 2005), as well as, he represented Latvia in Eurovision Song Contest 2009.

10. Kārlis Baumanis

Kārlis Baumanis was born on 11 May 1835, in Viļķene , in the family of peasants Jekab and Anna Baumanis. He created the Latvian national anthem "God bless Latvia" in 1870. He lived and worked in Limbaži as a teacher and a journalist. An important milestone in his life was the election of the Speaker of the Riga Latvian Society and the Member of the Singing Commission in 1870, where he participated gigantically in the preparation of the First General Latvian Singing Festival. This year he married Marija Carolini Elizabeth, the daughter of Ferdinand von Vite, tenant of Sāra manor, and was a German teacher at the prestigious Smolny Institute of Exotic Nursery.

In 1871, he completed the composition studies with the Czech musician Voiceha Hlavach. On November 14, 1872, his daughter, Lilia Elizabeth, was born. In 1873 he was rewarded for his success in pedagogical work by the Holy Spirit. Anna's Order. Kārlis Baumanis died on 11 January 1905, in Limbaži at the age of 69.

11. Miervaldis birze

(1921-2000) known for his exceptional talents and achievements in various fields. Born with an insatiable curiosity and a brilliant mind, Miervaldis has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible and left an indelible mark in his chosen endeavors.
In the realm of academia, Miervaldis Birze has established himself as a luminary in the field of mathematics. With an uncanny ability to unravel complex mathematical problems and discover innovative solutions, he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers. His groundbreaking research has led to the development of new mathematical theorems, algorithms, and applications, revolutionizing the way we approach and understand intricate mathematical concepts.
Beyond his intellectual pursuits, Miervaldis is also an accomplished artist. His creativity knows no bounds, and he expresses his vision through various artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, and music. His artworks are characterized by their profound symbolism, vibrant colors, and meticulous attention to detail, reflecting his deep introspection and unique perspective on the world.

12. Ojārs Vācietis

Latvian writer Born in 1933 in the family of a servant in "Dumpjos" parish of Trapene. Studied at Trapene primary school and Gaujiena secondary school (1948-1952). In 1950, the Apes district newspaper "Sarkanā Ausma" published his first poem "Voice of Peace". From 1952 to 1957, he studied Latvian language and literature at the Philology Faculty of LVU. From 1958, vācietis worked in newspapers and magazines "Literatūra un Māksla", "Liesma", "Bärnība", "Draugs", he was the editor of Riga Cinema Studio for a year. In the poetry collections "Ugunīs" (1958) and "Krāces apiet nav laika" (1960), vācietis protested against people's indifference, selfishness and duplicity, but after the defeat of theNational Communists from 1960 to 1966, none of hispoetry collections were published.

13. Egils Levits

Egils Levits (born June 30, 1955) is a Latvian political scientist and politician. Since July 8, 2019, he has been the President of Latvia. Levits has been a member of the Prime Minister of Latvia and Minister of Justice of Latvia, a judge of the Court of the European Union.

Was born in Riga in the family of Jonas Levits, an engineer of Jewish origin, and his wife, poet and editor Ingeborga Levits, born Bārga (pseudonym Aija Zemzare).

14. Janis Rozentāls

Janis Rozentāls was a Latvian painter. In Latvian art history, he is regarded as one of the central personalities of the turn of the century period. In terms of thematic and artistic form, he is considered the most versatile artist of the period.

Janis Rozentāls was born in 1866 in Saldus. His father was a blacksmith. Rozentāls’ family could not afford schooling past basic education and, at 15, the young Janis left for Riga in search of a living. The young Janis tried his luck as a waiter, but that career came to a halt when a sugar cake worth a whole three roubles slipped from his hands onto the restaurant floor before making it to the customers. Luckily, the boy, who was interested in drawing, was soon taken on as a painter’s appren-tice. After spending a few years washing paintbrushes, Janis was finally allowed to paint walls and ceilings. Through his hard work, he was accepted to the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts, where he began his studies in 1888.

Estonia

1. Lydia Koidula and her family

Lydia Koidula (1843-1886) was an Estonian writer and playwright who played a significant role in the national awakening movement of Estonia. She is considered to be the mother of Estonian theatre and literature. Koidula was born in Võru, Estonia, to a family of intellectuals who were actively involved in the Estonian national movement. She grew up speaking Estonian and German and was fluent in both languages. Koidula began her writing career in the mid-1860s, and her first published work was a collection of poetry titled "Katkendeid ühe tudengi märkmikust" ("Excerpts from a Student's Notebook"). Koidula's most famous play is "Saaremaa Onupojad" ("The Cousins from Saaremaa"), which wasfirst performed in 1870 and has since become aclassic of Estonian theatre. Her other notable works include the drama "Leegitsev sidrunipuu" ("The Burning Lemon Tree") and the novel "Emajõe Ööbik" ("The Nightingale of the River Emajõgi").

Koidula was also an active public figure and journalist, writing articlesfor the newspaper "Perno Postimees" and advocating for Estonian independenceand cultural autonomy. She died in 1886 in Germany, where she had gone for medical treatment and was buried in Helsinki, Finland. Today, Koidula is celebrated as a national icon in Estonia and is considered to be one of the most important figures in Estonian literature and culture. Her works continue to be studied and performed, and her legacy as a pioneer of the Estonian language and culture is widely recognized.

Family

Father - Johann Voldemar Jannsen

Lydia Koidula's father was Johann Voldemar Jannsen, who was a well-known journalist, poet, and leader of the Estonian national awakening movement in the mid-19th century. He was born in 1819 and married Anna Maria Jannsen in 1842. Jannsen was instrumental in promoting the use of the Estonian language in literature and journalism, and he founded the first Estonian language newspaper, "Perno Postimees," in 1857.

He was also a prolific writer and translator, and his work had a significant impact on the development of Estonian literature. Jannsen passed away in 1890, four years after his daughter Lydia's death. He is remembered as a national hero in Estonia for his contributions to the country's cultural and political development.

Mother - Anna Maria Jannsen

Lydia Koidula's mother was Anna Maria Jannsen, who was also a writer and a prominent figure in the Estonian national movement. She was born in 1819 and married Johann Voldemar Jannsen in 1842. Anna was a key influence on her daughter's literary development, encouraging her to write in Estonian rather than German, which was the dominant language of literature at the time. Anna passed away in 1895, nine years after Lydia's death. She is remembered as an important figure in Estonian literature and national awakening alongside her husband and children.

Brothers - Eugen and Artur Jannsen

Lydia Koidula had two younger brothers and an older half-brother from her father's first marriage. Her younger brothers were: Artur - He was born in 1845 and became a well-known composer in Estonia.

He composed several pieces of music for his sister's plays, including the national anthem of Estonia, "Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm" ("My Fatherland, My Happiness and Joy"). Eduard - He was born in 1854 and also became a writer and journalist like his father. He contributed to the family newspaper, "Perno Postimees," and wrote several books on Estonian folklore. Lydia's half-brother was: Karl Eduard - He was born in 1839 from Johann Voldemar Jannsen's first marriage. He was a physician and a political activist who worked to improve the health and living conditions of the Estonian people. He passed away in 1871 at the age of 31.

Husband - Eduard Michelson

Lydia Koidula's husband was Eduard Michelson, who was a lawyer and a political activist in Estonia. Michelson was born in 1840 in Tallinn and studied law at the University of Tartu. He was involved in the Estonian national movement and participated in the organizing of the first Estonian Song Festival in 1869, which became an important event in the country's cultural and political history. Michelson and Koidula married in 1868 and had one child together, a son named Friedebert. Michelson passed away in 1891, five years after Lydia's death.

Sons- Hans Voldemar Michelson

Maximillian Michelson

Daughters - Hedvig Michelson

Anna Michelson

What they appreciated?

Lydia Koidula's family valued education, literature, and the Estonian national identity. Her parents encouraged their children to write and use the Estonian language in literature and journalism, which was not common at the time. The family was also involved in political activism and worked to promote the Estonian cultural and political identity. These values of education, culture and national identity were passed on to Lydia Koidula and her siblings and were evident in their works and contributions to Estonian society.

Why are they appreciated in Estonia?

Lydia Koidula's family is highly appreciated in Estonia for their contributions to the country's cultural and political development. They were instrumental in promoting the use of the Estonian language in literature and journalism, which helped to create a sense of national identity among Estonians. Lydia Koidula herself became a celebrated writer and playwright, known as the "mother of Estonian theater," and her works played a significant role in the Estonian national movement.

Her brother Artur composed the national anthem of Estonia, which is still used today. Her father, Johann Voldemar Jannsen, founded the first Estonian language newspaper and was a prominent figure in the national awakening movement. The family's legacy of promoting Estonian language, culture, and identity has had a lasting impact on the country and is greatly appreciated by Estonians.

Lydia Koidula

Kui sa, kallis isamaa, poleks õnnelik,

ei su jõud, ei su võim, ei su ülevus,

kõik kaoks nagu tuul siit ilmast.

Sina olid ja jääksid mu armastusse,

kallis isamaa.

Translation:

If you, dear Fatherland, were not happy, ‘

your strength, your power, your greatness,

all would vanish like a fleeting breath.

You were and shall remain my love,

dear Fatherland.

2. The family of Malmstens

Malmstens are a family of actors. There are three generations of them as actors, in fact all of them are men. Rein Malmsten, his son Mait and his grandson Franz who is Maits first born son. His younger son is named Hugo who was named after his great grandfather's brother Hugo Malmsten. Maits wife Harrriet Toompere is an actress as well. Fun fact: Franz was named after his great grandfather. Rein passed around 20+ years ago but is still valued as a good actor. He was one of the best actors back then. Mait is on the way to the top of his career. He is successful and people love him. Mostly because of his good sense of humour and his honesty. People have often said that all of themen in the family have very good looks and they arevery polite and respectful which is another reason why the Malmstens are loved by people. As an actor Mait is an integral part of Estonia's cultural life.

His oldest son Franz is a young actor but has very much potential and hopes to get to the top at some point. It has been predicted that he is going to make it to the top very soon. I believe so. I like his way of acting. He is one of my favourite actors. Amongst all of the young actors in Estonia Franz has been the most active from all of them and has participated in many new films that have been filmed in Estonia at the moment. Malmstens value spending time with their family and spending time in nature which is why they have always preferred to live in the countryside. As celebrities they don't have very much time to spend together as a family and appreciate every opportunity of getting to be around each other and enjoy good company without the big city rush. They value time and peace. They have all mentioned it in interviews and on TV. I think it is a very good perspective of life. People should value the peaceful and the quiet environment more. Malmstens also value the importance of good manners and being polite. People have always noticed them for their good manner. They are a huge example to everyone and I do mean it.

3. Ott Tänak

Ott Tänak is an Estonian rally driver and the 2019 World Rally Champion. Tänak achieved his maiden drivers world title in the 2019 World Rally Championship, making him the first Estonian to win the drivers championship. He is currently teamed with Martin Järveoja and is competing for the M-Sport World Rally Team. Ott Tänak married Janika Tänak in 2016, with whom he has two children, a son named Ron and a daughter named Mia. He values his family the most. Because of the competitions he can't spend much time at home so he values the time he can spend with his loved ones.

Ott Tänak was chosen for the Estonian Athlete of the Year award, and in 2018, he and Martin Järveoja were chosen for the Estonian Sport Team of the Year award.

4. Andreas Melts

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"Famous people/famous families"

Adelina Pîntea

Read about famous personalities from Europe and their families. Learn about Grigore Vieru, a famous Moldovan writer, Mihai Eminescu, a Romanian poet and writer, Iulia Hasdeu, a Romanian child prodigy, Kristaps Neretnieks, a Latvian show jumping competitor, Antons Bārda, a Latvian poet, Mareks Bahmanis, a Latvian rap artist, Laima Vaikule, a Latvian actress and singer, Raimonds Pauls, a Latvian composer and pianist, Kaspars Gorkšs, a former Latvian footballer, Raimonds Pauls, a Latvian composer and pianist, Fricis Bārda, a Latvian poet, Intars Busulis, a Latvian singer and musician, Kārlis Baumanis, a Latvian poet, Miervaldis Birze, a Latvian mathematician, Ojārs Vācietis, a Latvian writer, Egils Levits, the President of Latvia, Janis Rozentāls, a Latvian painter, Lydia Koidula, an Estonian writer and playwright, The Malmstens, a family of actors in Estonia, Ott Tänak, an Estonian rally driver, Andreas Melts, an Estonian comedian/TikTok star, Aziz Sancar, a Turkish Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Cahit Arf, a Turkish mathematician, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, Halide Edip Adıvar, a Turkish writer and politician, Constantin Brâncuși, a Romanian sculptor, Eugen Doga, a Moldovan composer, Alexandru Donici, a Moldovan writer and poet.

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