'One of the great mythic poems of Europe' The New York Times

Sharing its title with the poetic name for Finland - 'the land of heroes' - Kalevala is the soaring epic poem of its people, a work rich in magic and myth which tells the story of a nation through the ages from the dawn of creation. Sung by rural Finns since prehistoric times, and formally compiled by Elias Loennrot in the nineteenth century, it is a landmark of Finnish culture and played a vital role in galvanizing its national identity in the decades leading to independence. Its themes, however, reach beyond borders and search the heart of human existence.

Translated with an Introduction by Eino Friberg

The great epic poem of Northern Europe, born deep in the heart of ancient Karelian forests.

About the Author

Elias Loennrot (1802-1884) was a Finnish physician, philologist and collector of traditional Finnish oral poetry. Loennrot created the Kalevala, Finland's national epic, by recording and compiling fragments of folk tales, ballads, and other oral poems. Following the publication of the Kalevala, Loennrot served as Professor of Finnish Language and Literature at the University of Helsinki. He tirelessly promoted the Finnish language and is credited with paving the way for modern Finnish literature.

Jukka Korpela is Professor of History at the University of Eastern Finland. He has published ten monographs and more than 150 scientific articles on East European culture and history, including The World of Ladoga (Lit. Verlag: Berlin, 2008).

Eino Friberg (1901-95) was a Finnish-born American author, noted for his 1989 translation the Kalevala.

Reviews
A masterpiece * Spectator *
One of the great mythic poems of Europe * New York Times *
The Kalevala is a fabulous narrative spiced with exotic images and much hilarity -- Jennifer Cooke * Melbourne Sunday Herald *



Book Information
ISBN 9780241403068
Author Elias Loennrot
Format Paperback
Page Count 656
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 447g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 28mm