Elulugu

Elulugu is the Estonian word for a life story or biography. The term is formed from elu, meaning life, and lugu, meaning story or tale. In everyday use, elulugu refers to the narrative of a person’s life presented in various formats, including written biographies, oral histories, or biographical sketches. In more formal contexts, the word biograafia is often used for a scholarly or comprehensive biography, while elulugu remains a broader term that can denote both a full biography and shorter personal portraits.

In literature and media, elulugu may describe how a person’s life is portrayed in books, magazines, documentaries, or school assignments. An autobiographical elulugu is commonly called an autobiography, and in Estonian discourse it can overlap with memoirs and personal recollections (mälestused), though the terms emphasize different angles of life writing.

Typical content of an elulugu includes information about birthplace and family background, education, career path, major achievements, awards, personal interests, and the subject’s influence on society, culture, or a specific field. The tone is generally neutral and factual, prioritizing verifiable details and clear sourcing when appropriate.

In education and culture, elulugu writing is used to develop research, writing, and reflective skills. It also serves archival and documentation purposes, preserving the life stories of notable figures, communities, and historical periods.

See also: biography, autobiography, memoir, biographical sketch.