Kalevipoeg

an Estonian national epic. From ancient times, legends about the warrior Kalevipoeg were widespread among the Estonians. F. R. Fel’man first proposed that they be collected, and F. R. Kreitsval’d compiled them. On the basis of the popular legends, he composed an entire epic, with a developed plot line and a verse meter like that of the Estonian folk song. The epic was published between 1857 and 1861 (2nd ed., 1862), along with its German translation. The Kalevipoeg tells of the deeds of the popular hero Kalevipoeg, leader of the ancient Estonians, and his war against the enemy forces threatening his people. The last episode deals with the invasion of the Crusaders in the early 13th century. Kalevipoeg’s fate reflects through legendary and poetic motifs the historical fate of the Estonian people. The epic has played an important role in the formation of Estonian national literature and in the struggle for its recognition.