''Nälkämaan laulu'' (meaning "Song of the Hunger Land") is a Finnish poem by

Ilmari Kianto Ilmari Kianto (7 May 1874 – 27 April 1970), also known as Ilmari Calamnius and Ilmari Iki-Kianto, was a Finnish author. He was born in Pulkkila, Northern Ostrobothnia, and is best known for his books ''Punainen viiva'' ("The Red Line", publish ...

. It was turned into a song by

Oskar Merikanto Oskar Merikanto (; born Frans Oskar Ala-Kanto; 5 August 186817 February 1924) was a Finnish composer, music critic, pianist, and organist. As a composer, Merikanto was primarily a miniaturist, and includes songs and piano pieces (he wrote over ...

, and this song is the

regional anthem An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short s ...

of the

Kainuu Kainuu (), also historically known as Cajania (), is one of the 19 regions of Finland (''maakunta'' / ''landskap''). Kainuu borders the regions of North Ostrobothnia, North Savo and North Karelia. In the east, it also borders Russia (Republic o ...

region. The song was first performed in 1911. A Swedish translation of the lyrics was made by Kianto's daughter Raija-Liisa Kianto in 2005, named ''Hungerlandets sång''. The lyrics describe the natural beauty of Kainuu, the hard-working nature (see

sisu is a Finnish word variously translated as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness. It is held by Finns to express their national character. It is generally considered not to have a single-word ...

) of the

Kainuu people Kainuu people (Finnish language, Finnish: ''kainuulaiset'') are Eastern Finns, Finnish inhabitants of the Kainuu region. Kainuu was settled by Savonians in the 16th century but historically belonged to Ostrobothnia County and Oulu Province. This ...

, and their pride of their homeland.

Text

External links

Complete lyrics (in Finnish)

References

Finnish poems Compositions by Oskar Merikanto Finnish patriotic songs Kainuu 1911 songs {{poem-stub