Kalevala

Many centuries ago in a land where tall pines and firs rustle, and sea waves converse with the smoothness of lakes, wonderful folk tales were formed. They were called runes and passed down from generation to generation, until in the 19th century they were compiled into a single poem by the Finnish linguist Elias Lönnrot. Kalevala is the name of the sunny and blessed country where glorious heroes live: here sings his prophetic songs the old, wise Väinämöinen and everything happens by his word; here the fearless hunter, cheerful Lemminkäinen, rides to woo in the dark land of Pohjola; and here the skillful blacksmith Ilmarinen forges the wonderful mill Sampo, which can provide its owner with flour, salt, and gold. The heroes embark on journeys and perform feats, defeating evil and restoring justice – so that there may be wealth and happiness in their native land, so that the good people do not know evil and trouble. The legendary Karelian-Finnish epic was retold for children by Alexandra Lyubarskaya, and illustrated by Nikolai Kocherhin.