Runonlaulajat

Runonlaulajat are performers who interpret and present poetry through vocal performance, often combining spoken word with melodic singing. In Finnish tradition the term denotes artists who bring poems to life by voice, sometimes with instrumental accompaniment such as the kantele, fiddle, or guitar. The approach can range from recitative and chant-like declamation to fully sung settings, and it emphasizes rhythm, intonation, and phrasing as essential parts of the poetry’s meaning.

Runonlaulajat draw on Finland’s rich oral poetry heritage, including Kalevala-inspired metres and other folk verse. Historically, poets and singers traveled between communities, reciting or singing poems at gatherings, markets, and celebrations. In the modern era the practice has broadened to include literary and musical performances in theatres, festivals, and schools.

Today the label Runonlaulajat may describe both traditional-style performers who adhere to established methods and contemporary artists who set modern poems or spoken-word pieces to music. The concept serves as a bridge between literature and music, illustrating how Finnish poetry can be experienced in performative form rather than print alone. The related practice of runonlaulanta, or the art of singing poetry, remains a recognizable strand of Finnish performance culture.