The Kalevala an epic of Finland and all mankind

by Heikki Kirkinen, Hannes Sihvo

The purpose of this small book, published in the 150th anniversary year of the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic, is to introduce it mainly to people other than Finns. The Kalevala is examined in its historical context, in an easily understandable manner and in the light of modern research.

80 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Ape · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting little introduction book about the Kalevala and its influences. I haven't read the Kalevala, although I have read quite a few of these older books (such as Edda, Voluspa, Beowulf, The Tain, Mabinogion...) so it would be nice to try it some time. Last month in York there was a theatre production of stories from this. Unfortunately I couldn't go and it was only on for one night. What a shame.

I knew little about the book beforehand.vso it was interesting to read how this came from the oral tradition, which so many such stories do ; but also that is was created as such in the 1800s by folkloric and scholars who collected a great many poems, and then ordered them for plot. It was also interesting to read how it came from the Karelia region, and has gone on to become such a big identifier for Finnish identity.vi picked this book up at the convention in Tampere, and there was a talk from a Karelian language activist. The language is really having to fight for survival now.

I liked the paintings at the end of the book - some I recognised but I hadn't realised they were inspired by the Kalevala.