<p>The Kalevala ([k?l???l?]) is a 19th century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lonnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. Elias Lonnrot (1802?1884) was a Finnish physician, philologist and collector of traditional Finnish oral poetry.<br><br>It is regarded as the national epic of Finland and is one of the most significant works of Finnish literature. The Kalevala played an instrumental role in the development of the Finn...