Ave Taavet

Ave Taavet (born 16 October 1988) is a prose writer, cartoonist, filmmaker and critic.

Taavet attended Tartu Tamme Gymnasium and Tartu Children’s Art School. In 2007, she completed Hugo Treffner Gymnasium in Tartu. In 2011, Ave Taavet graduated from the University of Tartu in the speciality of history. In 2015, she acquired a master’s degree from the Department of Animation at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Taavet has published cartoons in Estonian media, including in the journal Vikerkaar, and illustrated other writers’ books. She has also made animated and documentary films that have been successful at international festivals, and music videos for Estonian artists.

Taavet’s first book, the short story collection Valerahategija (‘Counterfeiter’) appeared in 2020. Her stories a characterised by mixing the mundane and the supernatural and humour. Taavet’s second book, Karikaturisti eine (‘Cartoonist’s Meal’, 2021), contains the best of his cartoons, as well as seven short stories inspired by the cartoons. Her third book, the story collection Kasukas (‘Fur Coat’, 2024), contains, in addition to humorous social criticism, also elements and characters from Estonian folklore. The short story Tormidesööja (‘Storm Eater’) from the collection received the August Gailit Short Story Prize. Taavet was also selected as one of the recipients of the writer’s salary in 2025-2027.

Taavet is also prolific literary critic. She has contributed to the periodicals Müürileht, Sirp, Looming, Vikerkaar, KesKus and Värske Rõhk.

L. P. (Translated by I. A.)

Books in Estonian

Short prose
Valerahategija. Tallinn: Kultuurileht, 2020. 133 lk.
Karikaturisti eine. Tallinn: SA Kultuurileht, 2022, 147 lk.
Kasukas. Tallinn: Kirjastus Puänt, 2024, 191 lk.