Kokkoka’s “The Secret of the Joy of Love” Book Launch

Ilmamaa Publishing presents Kokkoka’s “The Secret of the Joy of Love,” published in the Open Estonian Book series supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia. The work was translated from Sanskrit and annotated by Martti Kalda, who also wrote the afterword. At the launch, Kristina Viin will talk with the translator.

The classical civilisations of the East and West recognised long ago that the art of love is as much a part of culture as wedding and funeral customs. However, given the different periods and places of origin, as well as the distinct practices of religious communities, the picture of the development of sexuality in the cultural sphere of ancient India, as conveyed by old texts, is rather fragmented. Martti Kalda’s translation and commentary of Kokkoka’s “The Secret of the Joy of Love,” together with the historical afterword he wrote for the Estonian edition, seek to make this picture more complete.

Probably dating from the 9th or 10th century, “The Secret of the Joy of Love” is, after the Kamasutra, the second-oldest and second-most important work on the art of love in Sanskrit literature, but it did not appear in European languages until the 1960s. The book also includes an extensive bibliography of works cited and recommended reading.

The book is also available from the Ilmamaa Publishing online shop: https://ilmamaa.ee/raamatud/kokkoka-armuroomu-saladus

Livestreams and recordings of past events are available on the Kirjanduslinn Tartu YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu40s0q4_mr4WixxVPFefxQ

The programme of Tartu Kirjanduse Maja is supported by the City of Tartu and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia. Events at Tartu Kirjanduse Maja are part of the Kirjanduslinn Tartu programme. Read more.