Kalevala Day in Finland (28/02)





Epic «Kalevala» (Karelian and Finnish. Kalevala) — the work of a great people, collected and published in 1835 by the Finnish literary figure, scientist and poet, doctor by profession, Elias Lönnrot (1802-1884), has its roots in centuries and even millennia. The myths underlying «Kalevala» developed back in the 2-1 millennia BC.

The main character «Kalevala» — is the old songwriter Väinämöinen — is a hero who creates a boat, a fishing net, a musical instrument kantele and other things with magic or with cunning; in other runes he creates the world tree — is the key to the well-being of the universe, obtains wisdom for people in other worlds, and participates in sowing the first arable land.

The Finnish and Karelian peoples, proud of Lönnrot's «Kalevala», perceive it as a national treasure, but each people in their own way. For Finns, — is a national epic that has fulfilled its main role: awakening national identity, forming a nation.

Finns are trusting and kind. Despite their emotionality, they know how to remain silent when a flame rages inside. These folk features are a continuation of the epic character that, for example, distinguished the blacksmith Ilmarinen. When the rare-toothed old woman Loukha, who brought so much trouble to Kaleva’s children, felt that «ey’s misfortune threatened», she turned into a dove and came to the blacksmith with good news, and he believed the cooing.

Every year the «Kalevala Carnival» takes place in the form of a street celebration-carnival. Having visited the stylized Kalevala Carnival, everyone can join the Finnish culture and better understand its features and traditions. Each guest receives a rare opportunity to make a symbolic journey together with Kalevala heroes during the most amazing and magical time — of the white nights. This allows you to overcome linguistic, national and political barriers, create a single cultural space under the auspices of creativity and «Kalevala».

On Days «Kalevals» hold many literary, artistic, and creative events.

Those people who sang old runes left. Not all new runes, unfortunately, are in tune with the epic. But this, it seems, is only the beginning of the time that Väinämöinen said when he sailed away: «Wait, they will look for me here...».

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