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The Kalevala cover art

The Kalevala

By: Elias Lönnrot
Narrated by: Andrea Giordani
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Summary

The Kalevala is a 19th-century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Karelian and Finnish oral folklore and mythology. The Kalevala was instrumental in the development of the Finnish national identity and the sense of nationality that led to Finland's independence from Russia in 1917. Beginning with the traditional Finnish creation myth, the Kalevala branches out into stories of the creation of the earth, plants, creatures, and the sky. There are many stories of, romance, kidnapping, seduction, and magical spell casting and singing. Similarities with the mythology and folklore of other cultures abounds, for example Kullervo and his story which resembles Greek Oedipus, and the maiden Marjatta with the Virgin Mary.
Public Domain (P)2020 Museum Audiobooks
Poetry Classics Literary History & Criticism Epic European
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Profile Image for Sylvester Jønsson

Difficult to understand if not part of the culture

I wanted to get a better understanding of Finnish cultural heritage and I am from Denmark myself.

I have to admit the story’s when right over my head and I can not for the life of me retell anything that happened in this book - so if you don't know these stories beforehand, I wouldn't recommend starting with this book - unfortunately

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