The Kalevala

Structure and Organization

"The Kalevala" is a Finno-Ugric epic, compiled and reworked by Elias Lönnrot, first published in 1835. The epic consists of 50 songs, each divided into verses. The texts of the songs intertwine, forming a single narrative based on mythology, historical events, and heroic motifs of ancient Finns. Overall, the epic tells of the creation of the world, the struggle between good and evil, the adventures and exploits of heroes such as Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkäinen, as well as magical objects important to the plot. Each song has its own title and is dedicated to specific events or heroes. The poetic form used by Lönnrot is characterized by a special rhythm and rhyme, making the text melodic and memorable.