Kalevala

Show notes

The provided podcast offers a comprehensive overview of the Kalevala, a 19th-century Finnish epic poem. It explains that the Kalevala was compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Karelian and Finnish oral folklore and mythology, telling stories of creation, conflict, and the mythical Sampo. The podcast details Lönnrot's extensive field trips and methodology for collecting these poems, as well as his own contributions to the final work. Furthermore, it discusses the poem's structure, meter, and literary schemes, highlighting its significance as the national epic of Finland and Karelia. Finally, the text explores the Kalevala's profound influence on Finnish daily life, art, literature, and music, both domestically and internationally.