The Kalevala was instrumental in the development of the Finnish national identity and the intensification of Finland's language strife that ultimately led to Finland's independence from Russia in 1917.

Kalevala, the dwelling place of the poem's chief characters, is a poetic name for Finland, meaning “land of heroes.” The leader of the “sons of Kaleva” is the old and wise Väinämöinen, a powerful seer with supernatural origins, who is a master of the kantele, the Finnish harplike stringed instrument.

The creation myth was written down by Elias Lönnrot in the Kalevala. In the story, the air goddess Ilmatar comes down to primal waters, when a bird lands on her knee and lays six eggs. When the eggs become too hot, she moves her leg, causing the eggs to crash into the water and form the earth, moon, stars, and sun.

Väinämöinen (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈʋæi̯næˌmøi̯nen]) is a demigod, hero and the central character in Finnish folklore and the main character in the national epic Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot. Väinämöinen was described as an old and wise man, and he possessed a potent, magical singing voice.