Finland 100: 8 – Kantele

The Kantele is the traditional musical instrument of Finland, taught to young children in schools across the country, just like this collection here at my daughter’s school; and the kantele played by Väinämöinen in the national epic Kalevala is even endowed with magical properties. ‘Kantele’ and ‘Kalevala’, with an understanding of just these two words you would go some way to a deeper understanding of Finnish identity. I have a long way to go yet.