Every year on February 28, Finland celebrates Kalevala Day, a national day of culture, literature, and folklore.
This isn’t just any book celebration, it’s a tribute to the epic poem that shaped Finnish identity, inspired countless artists, and even played a role in Finland’s journey to independence. But what exactly is the Kalevala, and why is it so important?
Pohjola insurance company’s strongly sculptural granite and soapstone former headquarters were designed by architects Gesellius, Lindgren & Saarinen, Joseph Harwood © Myhelsinki
The Kalevala is Finland’s national epic, a massive collection of ancient folklore, myths, and heroic tales compiled into poetry by Elias Lönnrot in the 19th century. He didn’t just make it up—he traveled across Finland and Karelia, collecting oral stories that had been passed down for generations. The result? A literary masterpiece that brought together Finland’s mythical past and gave the country a shared cultural identity.
The name Kalevala comes from “Kaleva”, the name of a legendary land or people, and ”-la”, a Finnish suffix meaning “place”. So, Kalevala is basically “the land of Kaleva”, a mythical home of heroes, magic, and epic battles.
Kalevala is packed with adventure, magic, and some seriously dramatic plot twists. The main character, Väinämöinen, is an old and wise shaman with the power of song. He travels, fights, and tries to win the heart of the beautiful Aino, who unfortunately drowns herself to avoid marrying him (ouch). There’s also the mighty blacksmith Ilmarinen, who forges the Sampo, a mysterious and magical mill that produces endless wealth. And let’s not forget Lemminkäinen, the reckless hero who gets killed and brought back to life—because what’s an epic without a resurrection scene?
Heiko Müller © MyHelsinki, Aino myth, Akseli Gallen-Kallela
The story is filled with battles, betrayals, love, and magic, all tied together in beautiful poetic verse. Think of it as Finland’s answer to The Odyssey or The Iliad, but with more singing spells and mythical creatures.
The Kalevala has inspired writers, artists, composers, and even video game developers. Without it, we wouldn’t have Sibelius’ music, Tolkien’s Middle-earth (yes, he borrowed ideas from Kalevala!), or countless Finnish paintings and films.
Finns and Karelians are truly lucky to have such an epic tale in their cultural DNA. It’s not just an old poem—it’s a living legend, still inspiring new stories, music, and art. So, on February 28, raise a glass (or a mug of Finnish coffee) to Kalevala—the story that made Finland, well, Finland!
