Hello everyone it is me Ricky again. How are you doing? I hope you have been keeping up well with your dream and stay healthy during this time. Today, I will share with you a cultural creampie come from Finland, the national epic Kalevala, and where it was born – Kuhmo. So, what are you waiting for, follow this post and let’s get lost in this story together.
All stories start with “Why”
So before getting to know about this story, you must be wondering why I am bringing up this topic. As you have known, I have been living in Finland for more than three years. During this journey, I have learned, observed, and experienced a lot from Finnish culture and their behavior pattern. It always surprises me seeing Finnish people putting squeaky cheese (leipäjuusto) into coffee for a morning breakfast or how people combine reindeer meet, which is a salty dish, with lingonberry, which is fruit. But getting to know about Kalevala, is a journey that requires quite much effort and passion.
I have heard about Kalevala a lot from my Finnish friends through all the chit-chat we have here and there. However, I have never actually had a chance to learn about the epic poetry as going through the story is time-consuming and difficult to enjoy from the language point of view of a foreigner. During this last year of study, our class has a chance to visit Kainuu region, where Kalevala was first compiled and edited by Elias Lönnrot in 1835. The purpose of the study tour is to learn more about literary tourism of the region as well as promoting it as a valuable heritage. This study unit, in my opinion, is really interesting and inspired.
The creation myth of our world
In general, Kalevala is a compilation of different Karelian/Finnish folklore and mythology. Sliding through over 22,000 lines of rhythmic verse, “the world is created, immortals are born, heroes are slain and revived, love is made and wars are fought”. In that journey, the Sampo, an endless font of wealth, is forged by “the tips of white-swan feathers”, “the milk of greatest virtue”, “a single grain of barley” and “the finest wool of lambskins”. Kalevala represents a story full of magic, temptation, anger, and tears but also features love, kindness, and victory. It is a story about heroes and adventures.
“Thus created were the islands,
Rocks were fastened in the ocean,
Pillars of the sky were planted,
Fields and forests were created,
Checkered stones of many colors,
Gleaming in the silver sunlight
All the rocks stood well established;
But the singer, Wainamoinen,
Had not yet beheld the sunshine,
Had not seen the golden moonlight,
Still remaining in delivered.”
Birth of Wainamoinen, translated by John Martin Crawford, 1898.
Let’s have a look at the myth of Sampo – an infinite source of wealth and greed.
Since the creation of Kalevala, its influence on many other cross-sectors is undeniable. From Finnish daily life to art, music, and film, the inspiration that started from Kalevala is endless. Moreover, the story has been widespread and translated into over sixty different languages that bring this Finnish culture to friends all over the world. In Kuhmo and Kajaani, there are many places that represent this treasure of heritage under different forms:
- Juminkeko – Kalevala information center
- Elias Lönnrot’s statue, his cottage and herb garden
- Eino Leino house
- Kaukametsä Culture and Congress Centre
- Hotel Kalevala
The list goes on and on…
So, now it is your turn. I have not told or shown you the whole story of Kalevala right? Are you curious? Are you eager to read more? Would you like to dip yourself into the world of heroes and magic to figure it out? The stage is yours, click here to find out many stories behind this magnificent piece of art and tell me in the comment section below what is your favorite part!
I can’t wait to hear from you!
~Ricky
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