Many centuries ago, in the land of rustling pines and firs, in the realm of forest lakes and rushing rivers, people crafted their legends and tales. These Karelian-Finnish folk songs (runes) were collected and processed by the Finnish linguist and physician Elias Lönnrot (1802-1884) over the course of twenty years. The title "Kalevala," given to the poem by Lönnrot, is the epic name of the land where beloved heroes and champions live and perform their feats: the old, wise Väinämöinen, the skilled blacksmith Ilmarinen, and the fearless hunter, cheerful Lemminkäinen. "Kalevala" is the pride of Finland, its national treasure, recognized as a unique folk epic with no parallels in world literature. Retold by Lyubarskaya A.I. for older school age.
