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The diversity of Finnish culture is like a great lake, with countless secrets lurking in its depths. One of these secrets is the Finnish National Museum in Helsinki, which records and tells stories through the centuries. Today, on our journey, we feel the rippling under our skin of a story that springs from the Kalevala itself.
A heart attack to Kalevala
One of the most striking exhibitions at the National Museum is the Kalevala Hall. The hall houses treasures of artifacts and stories, some of which are taken directly from our national epic, Kalevala. At the centre is the famous Sampo, a wondrous source of wealth in the Kalevala.
The Sampo at the Finnish National Museum is not just an artist's vision, it is based on the text of the Kalevala - three pages of mills, reliefs and magical signs. It is made by hand from spruce rhizome, just like the stories that have survived from the epic in folklore.
Stories of an ancient people
Kalevala is not just about Sampo sales, it is a deep dive into the mythical world of the past. In the National Museum's exhibition, we identify with Väinämöinen, Lemminkäinen and Ilmarinen, the main characters of the epic. Their stories come to life through the objects in the museum.
To top it all off, there's a Cantele, the first poem in the epic collection. You can almost feel Väinämöinen playing his majestic kantele, conjuring up images from deep times past.
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A visit inside the Finnish National Museum is like a journey into the past, where we can experience the richness of our nation's stories. The Kalevala and ancient exhibitions open our eyes to see how stories have shaped our history. They increase our understanding of who we Finns are and how our culture has evolved.
Walking through the National Museum, while staying in the Kalevala Hall, it is impossible not to feel a deep connection with our past. It is a place where the deepest layers of our culture meet the present. It is a place where every Finn can feel part of this rich and fascinating cultural heritage.
Understanding and appreciating our culture starts with listening to the stories that the National Museum of Finland offers us in all its richness and diversity. So let's go to the museum, listen and learn about the story of Finland.