Hardi Tiidus


Hardi Tiidus was an Estonian television presenter, editor, journalist and translator. He worked at Eesti Televisioon from 1956 to 1978 and hosted programmes including Vana hõbe, Viis viie vastu and Vabadus, võrdsus, vendlus. He was active in Estonia's quiz-game culture and translated about fifty books into Estonian. Tiidus was widely known by the nickname Vana Hõbe.

Early life and education

Tiidus was born in Tallinn on 8 November 1918. He graduated from Gustav Adolf Grammar School in 1937 and studied civil engineering at Tallinn University of Technology from 1937 to 1941. He later graduated from the University of Tartu in 1952 as a historian.

Career

From 1956 to 1978, Tiidus worked at Eesti Televisioon, where he presented programmes including Vana hõbe, Viis viie vastu and Vabadus, võrdsus, vendlus. ERR coverage of a memoir volume about him also discusses his work as a long-time television/radio staff member and book translator.
Tiidus became a public populariser of classical antiquity through the ETV series Vana hõbe. The ERR archive listing describes the programme as a long-running series about ancient Greece and Rome. A contemporary newspaper profile described it as a 135-part series and noted the publication of his book Vana hõbe. Lugusid Vana-Kreekast ja Vana-Roomast.

Translation work

According to the City of Tallinn, Tiidus translated about fifty books into Estonian. A Sirp obituary also noted his work as a translator and public educator.

Film appearances

Tiidus appeared in episodic roles in Estonian films; his screen credits are listed in the Estonian Film Database. Selected films include:
  • Mehed ei nuta
  • Varastati Vana Toomas
  • ''Noor pensionär''

    Legacy

A memorial plaque marking Tiidus's former home in Tallinn was unveiled in 2021.