Fiktsioon

Fiktsioon is the Estonian term for fiction, a broad category of narrative works that present invented or imagined content as opposed to factual reporting. The word derives from Latin fictio and is cognate with the English word fiction; it entered Estonian via European languages such as German and French. In everyday use, fiktsioon covers a wide range of formats, including novels, short stories, novellas, plays, screenplays, graphic novels, and online narratives.

Core features of fiktsioon include invented events, characters, and settings, chosen by the author to express themes, explore human experience, or entertain. Fiktsioon may be realist, presenting plausible situations, or fantastical and speculative, such as science fiction, fantasy, or magical realism. Narrative techniques—perspective, chronology, unreliable narration, symbolism—are used to shape meaning and engage readers.

Fiktsioon and non-fiction are distinguished by intent and evidentiary basis: fiktsioon aims to convey meaning or emotional truth rather than verifiable facts; however, many works blend documentary elements with imaginative ones. In literature and media, fiktsioon serves purposes such as storytelling, critique, cultural reflection, and imagining hypothetical futures or pasts. It also raises questions about truth, representation, and ethics in storytelling.

In Estonian literary history, fiktsioon has contributed to language development and cultural identity, with diverse genres and movements shaping national literature from the 19th century onward. Today it encompasses traditional prose, graphic storytelling, and digital or interactive formats, continuing to evolve with readers’ tastes and technological change.