Elias Lönnrotin matkat I: 1828-1839

A vivid snapshot of a restless scholar’s early years emerges from this collection of handwritten travel notes, diary entries and letters. Between 1828 and 1839 the author roamed the forests of Häme, the lakes of Savonia and the remote corners of Karelia, recording not only the terrain and its people but also the folklore and language that would later shape a nation’s literary heritage. The pages pulse with curious observations, occasional humor and the quiet determination of a man cataloguing the country’s oral traditions on foot.

The material is presented exactly as it survived: sketch‑like marginalia, unfinished drafts and correspondence sent to friends, teachers and officials. Listeners will hear the rhythm of a 19th‑century journey—snow‑covered roads, bustling market towns and the occasional encounter with a curious traveler—while gaining insight into the scholarly drive that underpinned a lifelong project of cultural preservation. This intimate portrait invites you to walk alongside a figure whose wanderings helped define Finnish identity.