Modern Ainos and Väinös – the Kalevala Living Epic competition winners 2026
On 8 May 2026, young artists, writers and creators gathered to celebrate the winners of the “Modern Ainos and Väinös – Kalevala Living Epic” competition, an initiative inviting young people aged 11 to 19 to reinterpret Finland’s national epic from a contemporary perspective.
Organised by the Finnish Literature Society, the Kalevala Society and the Finnish language teachers’ organisation SKKO, the competition encouraged participants to explore the themes, characters and symbolism of the Kalevala through modern forms of artistic expression. The initiative received 95 submissions involving more than 100 participants from across Finland.
The entries demonstrated remarkable creativity and diversity, ranging from videos, podcasts and journalism-inspired projects to visual art, performances and playful reinterpretations of the mythical Sampo. Through humour, storytelling and critical reflection, participants connected the Kalevala to contemporary themes such as identity, family, social values and youth culture.
The jury praised the originality and social relevance of the works, highlighting the ability of young participants to engage with cultural heritage in innovative and meaningful ways.
The award ceremony, held as part of Finland’s Europe Day celebrations, transformed the event into a vibrant celebration of youth creativity and living heritage. Hosted by media personality Sampo Marjomaa, the ceremony also featured performances by freestyle rappers Pure and MC Sige, who performed before a full house of young artists and guests.
Winning and commended works will be exhibited at the Gallen-Kallela Museum before later being made available online, allowing broader audiences to discover these contemporary interpretations of the Kalevala.
The competition demonstrated how cultural heritage can remain alive and relevant when new generations are encouraged to reinterpret it through their own voices, experiences and artistic languages.