Ontrei Wanninen - Kalevala Runic Singer
Ontrei Wanninen was the last singer of Kalevala poems in Sortavala, Finland (now Russia). He died in 1891.
Finnish runic singers practiced a form of traditional oral poetry that was deeply rooted in Finnish folklore. They played a significant role in preserving and passing down the country’s cultural heritage, particularly during the late 1800s when Finland was undergoing a period of cultural and national awakening.
Runic songs were a significant source of material for the ‘Kalevala’, Finland’s national epic, which helped foster a sense of national identity among the Finns.
Original Photograph
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Restored Photograph
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Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: Knut Sallin
Year: 1885
Link to original photo here
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