Berit Kaschan (b. 1985) is an Estonian poet and creativity trainer. Her debut collection, the self-aware yet expansive, ironic yet compassionate I Laugh in My Sleep (Ma naeran magades), appeared in 2016 and immediately brought her to prominence, as it was nominated for the Betti Alver Literary Prize and received the Tallinn University Literary Award. Last year saw the publication of her fourth collection April (Aprill, Kaschan AM), which was awarded the Estonian Cultural Endowment’s poetry prize. The work has attracted much positive attention for its focused, calmly sensitive tone, through which the author explores her own and her loved ones’ dreams and memories, as well as our shared sense of self, seeking affirmation, refining her voice and inviting dialogue. Kaschan is also known as the driving force behind the online platform Biblionaut, which introduces audiences to a wide range of literary forms and storytelling practices, including bibliotherapy, and is based on the belief that the ability to tell and to listen to stories is undoubtedly a healing force.
Berit Kaschan
