Runollista

Runollista is a term used to describe a contemporary poetry practice that blends traditional runo-based poetics with postmodern and digital approaches. In Finnish literary discourse, runollista refers to works and poets who foreground musicality, imagery drawn from nature and myth, and rhythmic devices characteristic of traditional runos, while experimenting with syntax, lineation, and multimedia presentation.

Origin and scope: The concept emerged in online poetry communities and small presses in the 2010s, as poets sought to preserve runo aesthetics in a modern context. Proponents view runollista as an extension of the ancient runo tradition into hybrid media, while critics caution that it requires careful scholarship to avoid misinterpretation of sources.

Characteristics: Emphasis on sound and cadence, alliteration and internal rhyme; compact, image-driven lines; motifs drawn from nature, folklore, and memory; hybrids that incorporate audio, video, or interactive elements; and performance-oriented readings that pair spoken verse with looping, projection, or other media.

Practice and reception: Runollista has influenced Nordic poetry scenes through journals, readings, and online anthologies. Some scholars discuss its potential to renew accessibility of traditional forms, while others debate questions of authenticity and cultural continuity within modern media ecosystems.

Notable figures and works are diverse, reflecting a network of poets, translators, and critics who share an interest in bridging tradition and experimentation. As a descriptor rather than a formal school, runollista functions as a flexible framework for stylistic and methodological exploration in contemporary poetry.