“Kaasinen’s lecture is like a journey to the roots of our people – knowledge, stories and melodies that bridge the past and the present.”

Sari Kaasinen, a Doctor of Music, artist and cultural polymath, unveils the fascinating world of the Kalevala in a way that brings the epic to life, making it relevant and engaging for the listener.

In her lecture ‘The Kalevala as a Living Heritage’, Kaasinen explains how the collection of poems compiled by Elias Lönnrot grew into a national epic that continues to inspire artists, researchers and travellers. He takes his audience on a journey through myths, wisdom and the power of the word, whilst revealing the Kalevala’s deep connection to Karelian culture, runo singing and the entire Finnish-Karelian worldview.

The lecture will feature not only facts and history, but also spoken word and music, such as Kaasinen’s own kantele and vocal performances, which bring the epic’s poems and world to life in the present day.

Themes of the lecture:
1. The origins of the Kalevala and the significance of the runo singers
2. The female voice and the power of song in the epic
3. The mythical worldview and wisdom
4. The Kalevala as cultural heritage and a source of inspiration for contemporary art

The lecture is interactive and can be delivered in Finnish or English.
Duration: approx. 60 minutes.