Finnish Literature
The history of Finland has been tumultuous. During much of recorded history the language of the government was different from that of the majority of the population. This had a strong influence on 'Finnish literature' with many of the greatest works revolving around achieving or maintaining a strong Finnish identity.
The most famous collection of folk poetry is by far the Kalevala. Referred to as the Finnish national epic it is mainly credited to Elias Lönnrot although he worked more as an editor and compiler. It was first published in 1835 and quickly became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. The first novel published in Finnish was Seven Brothers (1870) by Aleksis Kivi (1834—1872): still generally considered to be one of the greatest of all works of Finnish literature.
Read more about this topic: Scandinavian Literature
Famous quotes containing the words finnish and/or literature:
“A conversation in English in Finnish and in French can not be held at the same time nor with indifference ever or after a time.”
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946)
“How simple the writing of literature would be if it were only necessary to write in another way what has been well written. It is because we have had such great writers in the past that a writer is driven far out past where he can go, out to where no one can help him.”
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961)