Larin Paraske

Larin Paraske (* December 27 1833 in Lempaala, Ingria, † January 3, 1904 in Metsäpirtti, South Karelia, actually: Paraskeva Nikitina ) was a Finnish singer runes.

Life

Paraske was born in 1833 as a subsidiary of Mikitta Mikitanpoika and Tatjana Vasilovna. Her father was a farmer agriculture ( Lampuoti ). Early began her interest in poetry and folklore. She learned the spread in the area, orally transmitted poems by heart and soon began with the development of its own.

1851, three years after her mother's death in 1848, her father died. 1853 she married to secure their livelihood to 20 years older farmers Kaurila Teppananpoika from Vaskela. Since her husband was sickly, the family depended on her income. Nevertheless, they got in the time from 1855 to 1878 nine children, of whom only three survived to adulthood. To this end, she took care of many children of the nearby orphanage of St. Petersburg. 1888, she was a widow.

My life changed in 1887, when she was the minister Adolf recommended Nevius, who had documentation of Finnish folk poetry put to the task. Against some money Paraske singing to her poetry. The collaboration yielded 1,200 poems, 1,750 proverbs, 336 riddles and some Itkuvirsi called Lamentations.

1891 Nevius moved to Porvoo and Paraske accompanied him to complete the project. Over the next three years they have been numerous demonstrations in Porvoo and Helsinki and was aroused by some attention. Well-known artists such as Jean Sibelius listened to her. Albert Edelfelt and Eero Järnefelt painted portraits of her.

1894 Paraske returned back to Vaskela. Despite their success, they remained poor. Her house was seized in the summer of 1899, after which she moved to the sauna of their neighbors. The Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seuratt granted to it in 1901 as an artistic board. Nevertheless, they had financial problems in 1904 until her death.

Importance

Today Larin Paraske is regarded as a key figure and "memory" of Finnish folk poetry. She could recite more than 32,000 verses, which made them an important source Karelian culture. Their often based on the Kalevala rune songs have inspired many artists. Kullervo by Jean Sibelius shall contain elements of Paraskes typical singing style.

The sculptor Alpo Sailo created 1936 a statue of Paraske. Actually, this was intended for the Kalevala house that was never built. Therefore, the statue in the park in 1949 Hakasalmi ( Mannerheimintie, Etu - Töölö ) was established in Helsinki. Even a street in the Helsinki district Kaarela was named after her. Since 1985 there is a postage stamp with her ​​likeness as a motive. In 2005 she was elected number 87 of the 100 most significant Fins.