Elias Lönnrot and 2243 Lonnrot Asteroid
Posted by: 
Mikkozzz
N 60° 10.000 E 024° 56.333
35V E 385626 N 6671757
Elias Lönnrot compiled the first edition of the Kalevala in 1835. It was based on his collection of folk songs and poetry during several field trips to Viena and Karelia. The extended second edition in 1849 became the national epic of Finland.
Waymark Code: WMJN8J
Location: Finland
Date Posted: 12/08/2013
Views: 39
Kalevala is a collection of Finnish oral folklore and mythology. It has had substantial impact on culture, fine art, music and literature in Finland and abroad.
While Lönnrot is best-known for his literature work with Kalevala, he was also a physician and botanist. In 1860 he published Flora Fennica, which was the first Finnish herbarium.
Elias Lönnrot memorial (by sculptor Emil Wikström) is located in central Helsinki in a tiny park on Lönnrot Street (Lönnrotinkatu). It was erected in 1902. The statue depicts Lönnrot on a field trip and Väinämöinen - one of the main characters of Kalevala - beside him. According to J.R.R. Tolkien Tom Bombadil in the Lord of the Rings is based on Väinämöinen. The Maiden of Kanteletar is selecting strands of hair for Väinämöinen's magic zither.
Astronomer Yrjö Väisälä found several asteroids and named one after Lönnrot.