Rune Singer's House

Ilomantsi’s secluded location on the border between the Lutheran and orthodox cultural areas has greatly influenced the area’s Karelianness. The atmosphere and exhibits of the Rune Singer’s House convey the ambience of an old Karelian cottage. The know-how to sing runes and play the kantele as a tradition which passed on from one generation to the next has been preserved in the area for relatively long.

In addition to runic songs and playing the kantele in the Rune Singer’s House, one can also explore the exhibition which tells about the history of Parppeinvaara’s Rune Singer’s House, Finland’s national instrument, kantele and the history of runic songs in Ilomantsi, Finland’s easternmost municipality. The Runesinger’s House also showcases an extensive collection of the national epic, Kalevala in different languages. In summer, there are also themed exhibitions.