Birds play a big role in the Kalevala (the Finnish national epic). The eagle and the swan are an important part of the story, but there are also a lot of other birds involved: tits, long-tailed ducks, common teals, geese, seagulls, swallows, thrushs, ravens, woodpeckers, crows, hazel grouses and black grouses.
In the Kalevala birds are companions to people. They whisper advice, they lift and carry tired travellers, they attack and fight with people. They also feel cold in winter and are happy when spring comes. They bring comfort and joy to people. They are present from birth all the way to the gates of death by the River Tuonela.
The exhibition “Birds in the Kalevala” approaches the national epic from a new perspective -through birds` eyes.
