author
Larin Paraske
1833–1904
Remembered as one of the great voices of Finno-Karelian oral tradition, this Izhorian runic singer preserved thousands of lines of folk poetry through memory and performance. Her songs and recitations later inspired artists, scholars, and composers interested in the world behind the Kalevala.
1 Audiobook
Parasken runot
by Larin Paraske
About the author
Born as Paraskeva Nikitina in Northern Ingria in late 1833, Larin Paraske became famous as an Izhorian runic singer and oral poet. She lived in the borderlands of Ingria and the Karelian Isthmus, and her extraordinary memory made her a vital source for the collection of traditional poetry, laments, and proverbs.
Collectors and artists sought her out in the late 19th century because she could perform a vast body of verse from memory. She is widely remembered as a key figure in Finnish folk poetry, and her performances were heard by major cultural figures of her time, including Jean Sibelius.
Paraske died in 1904, but her reputation endured. She is still seen as an essential link between living oral tradition and the literary and musical culture that grew around the Kalevala and related folklore.