A simple concept: six sentences to win you over. Here’s mine, from “Palakainen,” one of the stories from Unikirja. As a special treat, you can read the entire story at Mythic Journeys. See the rest of the titbits at Six Sentence Sunday. And think about buying the ebook version of Unikirja. Kiitos. Swanlike she was…
Category: Kalevala
Tuesday’s Overlooked Film: Jade Warrior
FUN WITH SLEDGEHAMMERS OR“IN SEARCH OF THE SAMPO” When did these filmmakers look into my dreams? I am, perhaps, one of a small number who form the ideal audience for this film that spins together Finnish mythology and wu xia action, but I’m sure its magic will appeal to a wide audience—if they can get…
Publication: Finnish Charms
I had nearly forgotten about this: the Mythic Journeys folks have been going through some interesting transitions (which seems entirely appropriate) but the journal is back at last. I gave this paper at the Forging Folklore Conference at Harvard University in May 3-5 2007. Great conference! Peg and Hannah put together a terrific bunch of…
A Taste of Unikirja: Vipunen
In order to give people a little sample of my collection, Unikirja, today I want to offer one of the stories that previously appeared in print. “Vipunen” is based — oh, so loosely — on Runo 17 of the Kalevala. That runo has been interpreted in various ways, including musically by Estonian composer Veljo Tormis….
The Kalevala and Kanteletar
One of the difficulties involved in introducing my story collection Unikirja has to do with most people’s unfamiliarity with The Kalevala and The Kanteletar, the twin tomes of Finnish myth and folklore. The stories and songs that make up these collections are very old, but were gathered together in the nineteenth century as a surging…
My Kantele
What is the kantele? The short answer is the national instrument of Finland, a lap harp traditionally with five strings. Of course, that has changed much over the centuries: 5, 10 and 15-string kanteles are common (and often electric!) and there are even grand concert kanteles. Above is a picture of my very first kantele,…