Leelo Tungal, a prolific and multifaceted creative force, was born on June 22, 1947, in the charming city of Tallinn. This esteemed Estonian poet, children's writer, translator, editor, and librettist has made a lasting impact on the literary world.
Tungal's academic pursuits led her to study Estonian literature at the prestigious University of Tartu. Upon graduation, she embarked on a varied career, serving as a teacher, editor, drama and literature consultant for the renowned Estonian Puppet Theatre, and a freelance writer. Her impressive resume also includes founding the popular children's magazine Hea Laps in 1994, which she edited-in-chief until January 2019.
Throughout her illustrious career, Tungal has published an astonishing 80 books of prose and poetry for children and young adults, showcasing her remarkable talent for crafting engaging stories and verses. Her creative endeavors extend to writing several libretti for esteemed Estonian composers, as well as translating children's poetry and plays from a diverse range of languages, including Bulgarian, English, Finnish, Russian, and more.
Tungal's personal life is just as fascinating, as she was married to the talented composer Raimo Kangro and raised three accomplished children: writer Maarja Kangro, artist Kirke Kangro, and cultural critic Anna-Magdaleena Kangro.
