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Eero Tarasti

Eero Aarne Pekka Tarasti
Born September 27, 1948, Helsinki.

Master of Arts, 1973, Licentiate of Philosophy, 1976, and Doctor of Philosophy (Musicology), University of Helsinki

Professor of Musicology, 1984–2016, University of Helsinki
Professor of Musicology, 1983–84, University of Jyväskylä
Professor of Arts Education, 1979–83, University of Jyväskylä

Vice-president, 1994–2004, President, 2004–2014 and Honorary President, 2014-, IASS/AIS:n (International Association for Semiotic Studies)
Founder and President, ISI at Imatra (International Institute for Semiotic Studies), 1988–2013
Chairperson, Finnish Semiotic Society, 1979-
Founder and Editor-in-chief, Synteesi arts research periodical, 1982-

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Awards and special achievements
J.V. Snellman Prize, University of Helsinki, 1997
Honorary Doctorates in four universities abroad (Bloomington, Indiana; Tallinn, Estonia; Sofia, Hungary and Aix-Marseille, France)
Honorary member, Victoria College, University of Toronto

Written by Eero Tarasti and Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta (ed.)
Translated by John Calton

Finale

I am now in the final year of my academic career with the University of Helsinki. I would love to continue, especially the lecturing and the teaching, because I get ideas and inspiration for my research. But at present I cannot see how that would be possible. When I give up my study, I won’t be able to produce the periodical Synteesi, nor Acta semiotica fennica, or anything else. Perhaps I have to set up a private department or academy. After all privatisation is in fashion nowadays.

In his speech at the degree conferment ceremony last autumn at l’Université Aix-Marseille, my colleague Jean-Marie Jacono described me as “profondement finlandais” (‘deeply Finnish’). I was somewhat taken aback. Once, in 1984, the dean, Yrjö Blomstedt, said ”…täällä ei Tarasti nyt varmaan kauaa viihdy” (’Tarasti is certainly not going to enjoy himself here for too long’). But here I am. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what is going to happen next.

Eero Tarasti beside his portrait.​
Eero Tarasti beside his portrait.​

Eero Tarastin muotokuva Topeliaan” (Eero Tarasti’s portrait in the Topelia building’), Faculty of Arts news bulletin, University of Helsinki (In Finnish.)

Eero’s work Musiikki ja humanism​
Eero’s work Musiikki ja humanism​

 

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