The Kalevala
What is The Kalevala about?
The Kalevala (1849) is the Finnish national epic, compiled by Elias Lönnrot from oral folk poetry collected across Finland and Karelia. In fifty cantos of trochaic tetrameter, it tells the mythological history of the Finnish people: the creation of the world, the adventures of the wizard Väinämöinen, the forging of the magical Sampo, battles between the people of Kalevala and the dark land of Pohjola, and tales of love, magic, and transformation. The Kalevala became the cornerstone of Finnish national identity and profoundly influenced J.R.R. Tolkien, who studied Finnish to read it and drew on its mythology for his legendarium.
Main themes in The Kalevala
Finnish Mythology
The theme of finnish mythology weaves through The Kalevala, adding depth to its narrative.
Väinämöinen
The theme of väinämöinen weaves through The Kalevala, adding depth to its narrative.
The Sampo
The theme of the sampo weaves through The Kalevala, adding depth to its narrative.
Creation Myth
The Kalevala thoughtfully explores creation myth through its central conflicts.
Why The Kalevala is still relevant today
The Kalevala is one of the world's great epics, foundational to Finnish culture and hugely influential on modern fantasy through its impact on Tolkien.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kalevala about?
The Finnish national epic telling of creation, wizards, magical objects, and battles between the lands of Kalevala and Pohjola.
How did the Kalevala influence Tolkien?
Tolkien studied Finnish to read it and drew on its mythology, language, and themes for Middle-earth.
Where can I read the Kalevala online?
You can read it free on TextStack.