The Yearbook of the Kalevala Society

The first Yearbook of the Kalevala Society was published on Kalevala Day in 1921. The graphics for the book were designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, vice-chairman of the Society. At that point, Otava was responsible for publishing the Yearbook, whereas in 1922–1978 the publisher was WSOY, and from 1979 onward the Finnish Literature Society.

From volume 100 (2021) onwards, the Yearbook is published both as a hardcover book and as an Open Access digital publication, freely available for all.

The Yearbook has provided the first opportunity for many young scholars to publish a scientific article. Many senior scholars have published parts of, or first drafts of works that were later published as extensive studies. However, the majority of the articles in the Yearbook are unique primary research.

The study of the Kalevala and folk poetry has played a central role in the Yearbook, but ethnology, linguistics, literature studies, archaeology and the study of religion have also had their share. For a fairly long time, the Yearbooks consisted of freely selected articles from scholars operating in different fields. However, from the early 1970s onward the Yearbooks have been organised around various themes. The first Yearbook with a theme focused on Lapland, and it has been followed by naming traditions, feast traditions, Karelia, peasant poets, games and play, Finns living abroad, folk healing, the forest, environmental mythology, the concept of the sacred in folkore, auditive landscapes and many other, fascinating themes.