The Kalevala Day event 28 Feb 2025
The Kalevala Day (Feb 28) programme traditionally begins with a gathering at the statue of Elias Lönnrot. After that, the European Heritage Label plaque is unveiled at the Finnish Literature Society. The day will conclude with a seminar on "From Sammatti to Brussels – Elias Lönnrot, the Kalevala and the European Heritage Label". The seminar will be streamed. We are organising the event together with the Finnish Literature Society.
12:00 PM Gathering at the Elias Lönnrot monument at Lönnrotin puistikko, Helsinki.
Address by University Lecturer, Dr. Ulla Savolainen: Patsaat muistiaktivismin paikkoina (Statues as places of memory activism)
1:15 PM Unveiling of the European Heritage Label plaque outside of the Finnish Literature Society (SKS), Hallituskatu 1, Helsinki
2:00–4:00 PM seminar ”From Sammatti to Brussels – Elias Lönnrot, the Kalevala and the European Heritage Label” at the Finnish Literature Society assembly hall, Hallituskatu 1, Helsinki
The seminar will be mostly in Finnish.
Opening
Welcoming words Tervetuloa Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seuraan
Secretary General Tuomas M. S. Lehtonen, SKS
Address by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Director General Riitta Kaivosoja
Video address: European Heritage Label and the Kalevala
Georg Haeusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the Directorate-General for Education, Culture, and Youth [DGEAC], European Comission
Euroopan kulttuuriperintötunnus ja Kalevala, elävä eepos (European Heritage Label and the Kalevala as a living epic)
Senior Advisor Leena Marsio, Finnish Heritage Agency
Seminar papers
Suullisesta laulusta kirjoitettuun runoon – Elias Lönnrot Kalevalan tekijänä (From oral song to written poetry – Elias Lönnrot as the compiler of the Kalevala)
Executive Director Niina Hämäläinen, the Kalevala Society
Elias Lönnrot Sammatissa (Elias Lönnrot in Sammatti)
Chair Risto Piekka, Paikkarin torpan tuki ry
Elias Lönnrot ja hänen varjonsa (Elias Lönnrot and his shadow)
Professor Emerita Irma Sulkunen, University of Tampere en yliopisto
Comment and discussion
Development Manager Eija Stark, SKS
Music
Runo singing, singers Riikka Hänninen and Helena Taskila
Refreshments.
