Tarinankulusta

Tarinankulusta is a term in Finnish that denotes the act or practice of storytelling. It covers the transmission of narratives through spoken, written, and multimedia means, and includes traditional oral performance as well as contemporary forms such as podcasts, digital storytelling projects, and narrative journalism. In Finnish usage, tarinankulusta refers to both the craft of telling stories and the broader cultural activity of sharing narratives within communities.

The concept is rooted in Finland’s long oral tradition, including folk tales and runo tradition, and in the epic poetry of Karelia that shaped the Kalevala. Over time tarinankulusta has expanded from informal storytelling among families and communities to organized forms in theatre, literature, media, and education. Modern tarinankulusta often involves audience participation, adaptation to different media, and collaborative storytelling across platforms.

Forms and techniques: oral storytelling performed with voice, gesture, and pacing; written storytelling in novels, short stories, and journalism; audio and visual storytelling through radio, podcasts, video, animations; digital and interactive storytelling exploiting hyperlinks, branching narratives, and social media. Techniques include narrative arc, character development, scene setting, and point of view; ethics include accuracy, consent, and cultural sensitivity when retelling others’ stories.

Cultural significance: tarinankulusta helps preserve language, identity, and memory; supports literacy and imagination; enables education and community dialogue; raises issues of authorship and representation in modern media.