Eino Leino ja Viro : tutkimus Eino Leinon virolaisaiheisesta tuotannosta ja hänen suhteestaan Viroon, sen kirjallisuuteen ja kirjailijoihin

Abstract

The aim of this study is to shed further light on the relationship of Eino Leino, one of the most prominent Finnish lyric poets, to our ethnic relations, the Estonians, as well as on the Estonian influence to be found in his work. In studies to date, Eino Leino's interest in Estonia has, at most, been mentioned in footnotes, and other like comments, The method of this study is biographic-genetic, although basically the study belongs to the comparative study realm. The origin of the relations between Finland and Estonia is to be found in the age of National Romanticism in the 19th century. Both countries underwent a drive for the advancement of their respective national cultures, in the national languages. From the 1860s onwards, the nationalisticallyminded intelligentsia began to feel interested in their closest linguistic and ethnic relatives. A major impulse in the awakening of Leino's interest in Estonia was in his eldest brother O.A.F. Lönnbohm, who was one of the most prominent Estophiles of his time. A significant influence was exerted by Leino's most prominent acquaintances among Estonian writers, namely Gustav Suits and Friedebert Tuglas. Writers common to both the Finnish and Estonian literatures, Hella Wuolijoki and Aino Kallas were also instrumental in introducing Leino to the literature and social conditions of Estonia. Leino's Estonia-oriented lyrical poetry is, for the larger part, connected to the period where both countries attained their independence. Leino found themes for his poetry in both Finnish and Estonian folk-songs. His last, unrealised plan was to write a third volume of "Holy Songs", ("Helkavirsiä"), based on Estonian themes. Leino's visit to Estonia in 1921 was the climax of the last years of his life. The reception he experienced there was of a kind he had never before experienced. As a result of his visit, the translation of Leino's works into Estonian experienced a real break-through. Next to Juhani Aho and Aino Kallas, Leino was the best-known Finnish writer in Estonia. The most dramatic event in Leino's visit was his application for Estonian citizenship, a step which however was not fruiful. It was nevertheless a demonstration of the long-standing symphaties Leino had felt for Estonia.