Kalevala

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lönnrot, Elias, 1802-1884

Language:

Finnish

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Kalevala" by Elias Lönnrot is a collection of epic poetry written during the mid-19th century. The work is a compilation of Finnish folk poetry, drawing upon oral traditions that celebrate the culture, mythology, and history of the Finnish people. The central character of the epic is Väinämöinen, a wise old sage and a masterful singer, who plays a crucial role in many of the stories and themes that unfold throughout the narrative. The opening of "Kalevala" sets the stage for the epic by invoking a poetic muse and introducing themes of creation, love, and the quest for wisdom. It begins with a call to gather songs from the past, highlighting the importance of storytelling and tradition in Finnish culture. The character Väinämöinen's birth is recounted, alongside the mystical circumstances surrounding his arrival, including his mother's tales of solitude and longing. As he grows, he embodies the spirit of the land and its lore, leading to further adventures and conflicts that will shape the unfolding narrative. The tone is both reverent and nostalgic, reflecting the deep connection between the Finnish people and their ancestral stories. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer. HTML version by Al Haines.

Notes:

Reading ease score: 40.8 (College-level). Difficult to read.

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalevala https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalevala

Release date is 2004-11-01