6.7. Day of Eino Leino, Poetry and Summer

July 6 is celebrated in Finland as the Day of Eino Leino, and the Day of Poetry and Summer. But, who was Eino Leino?

Eino Leino (6.7.1878 - 10.1.1926) was a Finnish poet and journalist. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of Finnish poetry. His poems combine modern and Finnish folk elements. His style often resembles Kalevala and folk songs. Nature, love, and despair are frequent themes in Leino's work. He is beloved and widely read in Finland today.

Eino Leino published over 70 books of poems and stories. The most famous of these are the two poem collections "Helkavirsiä" ("Whit Songs", 1903 and 1916) in which he extensively uses Finnish mythology and folklore. He was also the first person in Finland to translate Dante's Divine Comedy into Finnish. The statue of Eino Leino is located in Helsinki in the Esplanade Park.

SITR/ Eija Simelius 29.6.2012