The Tales of Kalevala

- Season 1

(1976)

The Earth is created from the shards of a duck egg and the first man is born to the goddess Ilmatar. Väinämöinen summons Sampsa Pellervoinen to sow the land with trees. The great oak tree bring great things to those who lay claim to it.

Väinämöinen encounters Joukahainen and they do battle. Joukahainen loses and pledges his sister's hand in return for his life. The sister Aino weeps for a long time. When Väinämöinen heads to Pohjola, Joukahainen attacks again.

Väinämöinen floats for days until he is carried by an eagle to Pohjola. He makes a deal with Louhi to get Ilmarinen to create the Sampo. Ilmarinen refuses to go to Pohjola so Väinämöinen forces him against his will. The Sampo is forged.

Lemminkäinen and the maid Kyllikki make vows to each other, but ultimately Lemminkäinen asks Louhi for her daughter's hand. She assigns tasks to him and Lemminkäinen is shot. Lemminkäinen's mother revives him.

Rival suitors Väinämöinen and Ilmarinen meet in Pohjola. Ilmarinen is assigned dangerous tasks to win the hand of the Maiden. Resentful Lemminkäinen sets out for Pohjola, has a duel and flees. He shall weep for the loss of his home.

When his father is killed by his uncle, Kullervo vows revenge. Untamo tries to destroy Kullervo, but ends up selling him to Ilmarinen. All this leads to a death of Ilmarinen's wife, Kullervo's sister and eventually, Kullervo himself.

The heroes of Kalevala decide to go by sea to seize the Sampo from Pohjola. After a confrontation with a giant pike and making of a magnificent harp, they land at Pohjola. Filled with rage, Louhi prepares her army for battle.