Hagi Šein (also, Hagi Shein; 13 September 1945 – 19 June 2024) was an Estonian journalist, film director, screenwriter, professor, media pedagogue and former figure skater.

Biography

Šein was born into a Jewish family in Tallinn. In 1973 he graduated ''cum laude'' from

Tartu State University The University of Tartu (UT; et, Tartu Ülikool; la, Universitas Tartuensis) is a university in the city of Tartu in Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is the only classical university in the country, and also its biggest ...

, majoring in history and sociology. He then completed his postgraduate studies in television journalism and telesociology at the Department of Journalism at Moscow State University. In 2001, he received a master's of science (MSc) degree in journalism from the University of Tartu. In 2007, he completed his doctoral studies in television history and media policy. In 2002, he was elected professor of television media for five years by the Council of

Concordia International University Estonia Concordia International University Estonia (CIUE) was a private university in Tallinn, Estonia. It was established in 1993 as the Estonian campus of the Concordia International University, a private institution established in Milwaukee in 19 ...

. Šein trained as a figure skater for eleven years and with partner Madli Krispin, won a silver medal in pair skating at the 1962

Estonian Figure Skating Championships The Estonian Figure Skating Championships ( et, Eesti Meistrivõistlused) are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Estonia. Medals may be awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladie ...

. From 1967 until 1997, he worked at Eesti Televisioon (ETV). From 1992 until 1997, as Director General of ETV. From 2000 to 2012 he was the Member of the Estonian National Broadcasting Council and 2010–2012 the Chairman of the council. He was the author of many television series, including ''Prillitoos'' (1983–1990), ''Mõtleme veel'' (1987–1989). Šein taught television at Tartu State University (1976–1986). From 1997 to 2003, he worked as the Dean of the Faculty of Media at Concordia International University, then at International University Audentes (2003–2005) and the

Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School of Tallinn University Baltic Film, Media and Arts School of Tallinn University (BFM) is a film and media school created in 2005 (as Baltic Film and Media School) as a college of Tallinn University, one of the biggest educational institutions in Estonia. BFM offers ...

(acting director and Director, 2005–2011). He was a visiting professor of television culture at the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication Institute of Tallinn University, also the editor-in-chief of the Estonian Film Database (www.efis.ee) and the database of television history and science Telekraat (www.telekraat.ee). He was for several years also a member (chair from 2019 to 2022) of the council of the Estonian Film Institute, the council of Tallinnfilm and the council of the Estonian National Archives. As a screenwriter and director, Šein made 12 documentaries, including ''Ratastoolitants'' (1986), ''Raudrohutee'' (1985) and ''Lepatriinutalv'' (1989). He also wrote research on the history of Estonian television, the most important of which include ''Suur teleraamat'' (TEA Kirjastus, 2005), ''Televisioon Eestis 1955–2004'' (University of Tartu Publishing House, 2004) and ''Eesti telemaastik 1991–2001. Uurimused. Diskussioon. Teabekogud'' (University of Tartu Publishing House, 2002). and ''Digiajastu teleraamat. Digiaja televisioon Eestis 2000-2020'' ( Tallinn, 2021). Hagi Šein was a member of the Social Democratic Party. He was also a member of the leadership of the Estonian People's Front, the president of the Estonian Forum of National Minorities, a member of the Tallinn city council (2001–2004), a representative of the President of the Republic at the roundtable on national minorities, and a member of the Academic Council of the President of the Republic (2002–2007). Šein died on 19 June 2024, at the age of 78.

Acknowledgements

Order of the White Star The Order of the White Star ( et, Valgetähe teenetemärk; french: Ordre de l'Etoile Blanche) was instituted in 1936. The Order of the White Star is bestowed on Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic ...

, IV Class (2002) * Order of the National Coat of Arms, III Class (2006) * 2014 – Annual Award of the Audiovisual Art Endowment Fund of the Estonian Cultural Foundation (mission award for the creation and consistent development of the Estonian film database) * 2015 – Order of Merit of Tallinn University * 2021 – EFTA (Estonian Film and Television Awards) Lifetime Achievement Award * 2022 – National Culture Foundation award for contribution to the development of media and television culture

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sein, Hagi 1945 births 2024 deaths Estonian journalists Estonian film directors Estonian scholars Estonian screenwriters Estonian male pair skaters University of Tartu alumni Moscow State University alumni Academic staff of Tallinn University Recipients of the Order of the White Star, 4th Class Recipients of the Order of the National Coat of Arms, 3rd Class 20th-century Estonian Jews 20th-century Estonian writers 21st-century Estonian Jews Journalists from Tallinn Figure skaters from Tallinn Mass media people from Tallinn