Kotikuusta kuunnellessa

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78093

Title

Kotikuusta kuunnellessa

Language

fi

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A collection of poems and hymns by Niilo Mantere published in 1907, this volume celebrates Finnish identity, freedom, and sobriety while offering devotional reflections. Blending patriotic fervor with spiritual warmth, the work appeals to readers seeking inspiration through nature, faith, and the struggle for a just society.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1907 by Suomalainen Kustannus-Osakeyhtiö Kansa, Niilo Mantere's *Kotikuusta kuunnellessa* (Listening to the Christmas Tree at Home) stands as a profound anthology of poetry that weaves together the grandeur of national destiny with the intimacy of personal devotion. The collection is structured into four distinct sections, each exploring a vital facet of the Finnish experience at the turn of the century. The work opens with patriotic and civic themes, celebrating the resilience of the Finnish people and honoring national figures like J.V. Snellman. In odes such as the prologue to Snellman's centenary, Mantere depicts the poet as a wakeful hero who awakened a sleeping nation, urging the people to rise from darkness and embrace enlightenment. This section also features vigorous advocacy for temperance, framing alcohol as a destroyer of families and a threat to national well-being. Through songs like *Raittiuskansan laulu* (Song of the Temperance People), Mantere calls for a collective fight against the 'king of evils,' envisioning a sober Finland where mothers and children are freed from the scourge of addiction. The tone shifts in the second section, *Hän ja koti* (He and Home), to intimate, lyrical expressions of love and longing. Here, the poet explores domestic warmth, the pain of separation, and the deep emotional bonds within the family. Songs like *Sua lemmin* (I Love You) and *Minä laulan nyt toden laulun* (I Sing Now a True Song) capture the ache of absence and the joy of reunion, portraying the home as a sanctuary of love and safety against the harshness of the outside world. The final sections offer devotional meditations, hymns for children, and reflections on faith. Emphasizing God's grace, the joy of Christmas, and the call to repentance, these poems use vivid imagery of nature and the human heart to explore spiritual themes. From the lullaby *Kalervon kehtolaulu* to the Christmas hymns *On joulu* and *Lasten joululaulu*, Mantere creates a tapestry that balances the public duty of the citizen with the private life of the believer. Ultimately, the collection resonates with both historical significance and timeless emotional depth, offering a vision of a nation and a people grounded in faith, freedom, and love.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Poetry
• Finnish Literature