Day of the folk epic "Kalevala"

One of the most favorite holidays of the Finns is February 28 - Day of the folk epic Kalevala. Festival of folk Karelo-Finnish epic and Finnish culture. The epic "Kalevala" - the work of a great people, collected and published in 1835 by the Finnish literary figure, scientist and poet, physician by main profession, Elias Lennrot (1802-1884), has its roots in the depths of centuries and even millennia. The myths underlying Kalevala were formed in the II-I millennia BC.

The main character of Kalevala is the old songwriter Väinämöinen - a hero who creates a boat, fishing net, musical instrument Kantel, etc. by magic or by cunning; in other runes he creates a world tree - the key to the well-being of the universe, extracts wisdom for people in other worlds, participates in the sowing of the first arable land.

The Finnish and Karelian peoples, proud of Lennrot’s Kalevala, perceive it as a national treasure, but each nation in its own way. For the Finns, it is a national epic that has fulfilled its main role: the awakening of national consciousness, the formation of the nation. Finland became a sovereign state in 1917. And when that sovereignty was in danger of losing in two wars with the Soviet Union, Kalevala once again maintained the national spirit with a glorious past.

Finns are trusting and naive like children. Despite being emotional, they are able to remain silent when the flames are raging inside. These folk features are a continuation of the epic character, which, for example, distinguished the blacksmith Ilmarinen. When the rare-toothed old woman Louhi, who brought so much trouble to the children of Kalev, felt that “her misfortune threatens,” she turned into a dove and came to the blacksmith with good news, and he believed the corking.

Every year, the Kaleval Carnival takes place in the form of a street festival-carnival. Having visited the stylized Kaleval Carnival, everyone can join the culture of the Finns, better understand its features and traditions. Each guest gets a rare opportunity to make a symbolic journey together with the Kaleval heroes in the most amazing and magical time - white nights. This makes it possible to overcome linguistic, national and political barriers, create a single cultural space under the auspices of creativity and Kalevala.

Let's give each other hands.
Fingers and fingers weave.
You're the word, I'm the second.
To the voices we find harmony...
("The birth of our humour,")
translation by E. Kiuru

It begins with a theatrical musical and dance performance “Wedding in Pohjela”
Part II - Carnival procession of Kaleval heroes
Part III. Torch procession
Part IV. "Juhannus" (Ivan's Night) in the park on the embankment. Fires and divination night.

On the Days of Kalevala, many literary, artistic, creative holidays are held.

The people who sang the old runes are gone. Not all new runes, unfortunately, are consonant with the epic. But it seems that this is only the beginning of the time, of which Väinämöinen said as he sailed away: “Wait, they will look for me here...”