Tales From The Forest Lands

Step into the shadowy, enchanted world of Finnish folklore with Tales From The Forest Lands, a spellbinding collection of myths and legends from the far north.This volume transports you to the heart of Finland, where ancient pagan beliefs and age-old stories continue to stir the imagination. Drawing from the rich oral traditions that have survived through generations of mythical poem-singing, these tales are filled with the unique magic, mystery, and darkness that define Finnish mythology.From the mysterious creatures of the Kalevala to the haunting legends passed down through Finnish paganism, these stories weave together a tapestry of myths that share roots with Finnish and Estonian folklore, while echoing the influences of Baltic, Slavic, and Norse traditions. With each tale, you'll journey deeper into the enchanted forests and frozen lands of the north, where heroes rise, gods and spirits roam, and the night holds its own powerful secrets.Collected from renowned sources such as Andrew Lang's Coloured Fairy Books, R. Eivind's Finnish Legends for English Children, and Zacharias Topelius' The Birch and the Star, these captivating stories are a treasure trove for lovers of myth and legend. Whether you're new to Finnish folklore or a long-time fan, Tales From The Forest Lands will transport you into a world of adventure, darkness, and wonder.Let these timeless stories capture your imagination as you explore the myths and legends that shaped a people, their land, and the spirits that dwell within.

his volume of tales from the north concentrates on Finland. Many of these stories have their roots in the folklore of Finnish paganism, and they have many features shared with fellow Finnic Estonian mythology and other Uralic fables. Finnish folklore also shares some similarities with neighbouring Baltic, Slavic and to a lesser extent, Norse mythologies.Much of Finnish mythology survived within an oral tradition of mythical poem-singing and folklore well into the 19th century. One of my favourite aspects of Finnish mythology is the wonderful sense of darkness at its heart.These stories come from collectors such as Andrew Lang and his Coloured Fairy Books, the elusive R. Eivind’s Finnish Legends for English Children and Zacharias Topelius and The Birch and the Star, and Other Stories. Most derive from legendary cycles such as the Song of the Kalevala and earlier collections such as the Lapplandische Märchen. As ever, my voyage of discovery through these stories has been a delight.