Introduction to Karelia and Karelians

This video contains 9 poems:

Lähemmös laulamah (Let us sing)

Suikahti suga mereh (Comb that slipped into the sea)

Muailman syndy (Creation of the world)

Puun syndy (Creation of the tree)

Kolme kägyö (Three cuckoos)

Kuldapyörätammi (Golden Wheel Oak)

Marketta (How sage Marketta's child was born)

Meren kylvendä (Sowing of the Sea)

Meren kosijat (Suitors of the Sea)

The tradition of poem singing in Karelian-speaking Karelia nearly perished, but it is now being reclaimed by both new and old generations. Karelian poem songs, known as "virzi" in Karelian, are an integral part of Karelian culture. They recount the story of Karelian’s origins, myths and traditions. Being Karelian encompasses a deep intertwining of spirituality and practicality, which is reflected in how the myths and words of the poem songs are used to serve the purpose of various occasions.

In compiling their own collection, Haltia has utilized recordings and transcriptions from Suistamo that are available online and in the Finnish Literary Society archives, particularly the database at skvr.fi. While they have incorporated as much material as possible from their own known relatives in Suistamo, they have also sought to include material from other singers in the region. Moreover, Haltia has consciously focused on poems that may be less familiar to the Karelian community.

Since many of the poems have been translated into Finnish during the collection process, Haltia has made every effort to translate them back into the Karelian language, specifically the Southern Varzinkarjala / Suvikarjala dialect spoken in Suistamo. As Haltia has compiled the poems, she has adjusted them to fit her personal sense of rhythm and rhyme. Whenever possible, Haltia has opted for more inclusive and equitable language choices.

Lyrics, singing and illustration by Mirva Haltia

Copyright: Mirva Haltia 

This short film is told a Karelian poem song format and tells the story of Karelian lamenting. The beginning of this film is sung in the style of Karelian poem singing, and the latter half is a Karelian lament – a lament on behalf of the voiceless lamenters. Portions of the lament are included in the poetry book 'Gruuga.'

Among the Karelian people, there existed a strong and distinct tradition of lamentation prior to World War II, especially in regions such as Viena, Seesjärvi, Border Karelia, Aunus, and Tver. The Karelian diaspora was scattered, and in their new homes, many were forced to conceal their language and traditions to assimilate. As a result, neither the Karelian language nor the lamentation traditions were widely passed down to subsequent generations. Even today, it remains challenging to find accurate information about Karelian culture and language on the internet.

I am Karelian, and laments run in my blood. However, I was never taught the language of my ancestors or the heritage of laments. It was only after I began learning Karelian and its laments that many aspects of my identity started to make sense - the way I use my words, my general approach to language, and the rhythm of my expressions. Everything suddenly aligned in a way that is difficult to articulate. Without the Karelian language and the tradition of laments, I felt a part of me was missing. I was voiceless in a way I hadn't realized until I reconnected with it. Today, very few people continue to lament in the Karelian language and tradition.

Script, direction, filming, acting, and vocals by Mirva Haltia.

Published on March 14, 2022.

Printed book and eBook available in all Finnish online bookstores and most libraries. International seller: Amazon.

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This trilingual poem book was written for you rodnoi rahvaz, my kith and kin, who are on a journey to reconnect with your Karelian identity and culture. The Karelian poems in this book are written with the Southern Dialect of Karelian Proper that is commonly called Suvikarjala. Poems are translated into Finnish and English.

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Tämä kolmekieline runokniiga on kirjutettu teilä, rodnoi rahvas, ket oletta karjalazen identitietan da kul'ttuuran lujendamizen matalla. Kniigan karjalankielizet runot on kirjutettu varsinkarjalan suvimurdehella libo suvikarjalaksi. Runot on kiännetty suomeksi da anglieksi.

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Tämä kolmikielinen runokirja on kirjoitettu teille rodnoi rahvas, sukuseutujeni väelle, jotka olette karjalaisen identiteetin ja kulttuurin vahvistamisen matkalla. Kirjan karjalankieliset runot on kirjoitettu varsinaiskarjalan eteläisellä murteella, jota suvikarjalaksikin usein kutsutaan. Runot on käännetty suomeksi ja englanniksi.