News

In 2009 the unabridged edition of Kalevala epos celebrates its 160the anniversary. Kalevala national metropolitan region is legally considered the native land of the world famous epos. The epos is a powerful resource in education of youth, preservation of traditional culture, language and song art of northern Karelians.

Within preparation for the anniversary, information banners with illustrations for Kalevala made by the famous Karelian artist Georgy Stronk to promote the epos have been installed in the settlement of Kalevala, a number of events have passed in the Palace of Children's Arts, schools of the region have held traditional Days of Kalevala, Kalevala Mosaic, The Beauty of Ukhta and Drawing Kalevala competitions have been held.

The holiday apogee is mass open air celebrations of Kalevala residents and guests of the settlement on the coast of Kuitto lake. Competitions and amusements in the epic scenery became the highlight of the holiday which has not left spectators indifferent – people became participants of the open-air merrymaking. Each competition and performance was accompanied with verses of the immortal epos confirming that the ancient song of Karelians is actual today.

Kalevala folk theatre has presented one of its most successful performances – The Female Marathon play in Karelian language. High professionalism of amateur actors of the theatre and Valentina Saburova's brilliant direction have made this performance a true masterpiece of the theatre arts of Kalevala residents. Opening night of The Female Marathon has passed with tremendous success.

The Round Dance of Friends was the title of festival of children's folklore ensembles that have gathered in Kalevala these days, having become a final chord in the chain of celebrations and a large joint project with Finland Roots and Sprouts of Rune-Singing. A true children's round dance went from the heart of the Karelian culture – rune-singing villages which gave the world a folklore pearl of Kalevala epos. Voknavolok and Paanajärvi, Juškozero and Kalevala have presented children's creative ensembles at the festival. The concert has passed with tremendous success and at full house. Children's keen and true interest to national traditions and creativity means that the ancient culture of people is not just alive, but is even given a new lease of life. Rune-singing sprouts of the land of Kalevala have grown on a fertile field of national arts, which keeps the roots of one of the most ancient world cultures.