Claes Andersson


Claes-Johan Rudolf Andersson was a Swedish-speaking Finnish psychiatrist, author, poet, jazz musician, politician and member of the Finnish Parliament, representing the Left [Alliance (Finland)|Left Alliance] and the Finnish People's Democratic League. He was a member of the Finnish Parliament from 1987 to 1999 and from 2007 to 2008, and served as the Minister of Culture in the Lipponen I Cabinet.

Personal life

Andersson's parents were managing director Oscar Rudolf Andersson and Ethel Dorotea Hjelt. He was married to Christina Forsten from 1959 until their divorce in 1970. In 1970, he married Katriina Kuusi.His son Ville Andersson is a Finnish diplomat and former footballer.

Career

Andersson graduated from the school Läroverket för gossar och flickor in Helsinki in 1955. He went on to study medicine at the University of Helsinki, earning a Licentiate of Medicine degree in 1962. He qualified as a specialist in psychiatry in 1969.
As a physician, he worked at Tammiharju Hospital from 1962 to 1967 and at Hesperia Hospital from 1967 to 1969. He then served as the chief physician at the Veikkola sanatorium between 1969 and 1973. Beginning in 1974, he was a physician at the mental health office in Loviisa.

Literary work

Andersson's literary career began in 1962 with the publication of his poetry collection Ventil. From 1965, he was a literary critic for several publications, including Hufvudstadsbladet, FNT, and Nya Argus. He was also the editor-in-chief of the journal FBT from 1965 to 1969. His 1967 poetry collection Samhället vi dör i featured pictures and layout design by his then-wife Christina Andersson.
He was active in literary organizations, serving on the board of the Society of Swedish Authors in Finland from 1967, as its vice chairman from 1977 to 1979, and as its chairman from 1978 to 1982. He was also a member of the State Committee for Literature from 1974 to 1976.

Selected works

The following is a selection of his works.
Poems
  • Ventil
  • Som om ingenting hänt
  • Staden heter Helsingfors
  • Samhället vi dör i
  • Det är inte lätt att vara villaägare i dessa tider
  • Bli, tillsammans
  • Bakom bilderna
  • Rumskamrater
  • Jag har mött dem. Dikter 1962—74
  • Genom sprickorna i vårt ansikte
  • Trädens sånger
  • Tillkortakommanden
Novels
  • Den fagraste vår
  • En mänska börjar likna sin själ
Plays
  • Familjen
  • Gris i säcken
  • Lindbloms
  • Sotis
  • Bänksit
Collaborative Plays
  • Wälläri o.s.v.
  • Kropp
  • Med-borgare!
  • Ringleken
  • Pojke/Flicka
  • Oss emellan
  • Verandan
  • Diktonius
  • På era platser... färdiga...
  • Älä tuhlaa aikaa
  • Eko!
Radio and Television Productions
  • Sjuk eller skyldig
  • Tre långa år
  • Grottan
  • Fem slags kärlek
  • Samtal under mullen
  • Röster i stenen
  • ''Angina''

Awards