Aleksis Kivi Finnish writer, founder of realistic literature in Finnish. Date of Birth: 10.10.1834 Country: Finland

Biography of Alexis Kivi

Alexis Stenvall, known by his literary pseudonym Alexis Kivi, was a Finnish writer and the founder of realistic literature in the Finnish language. He was born into the family of a village tailor named Eerik Johan Stenvall. Kivi's ancestors belonged to ancient Finnish clans, including Pekkola (paternal line), Hannula, Simola, and Maula (maternal line).

After learning Swedish from an old sailor, Kivi started studying at one of the schools in Helsinki at the age of 12. However, due to illness and poverty, he was unable to attend regularly. Despite this setback, Kivi acquired extensive knowledge through self-education, reading the works of Cervantes, Shakespeare, Holberg, and the Finnish national epic, "Kalevala".

One of the stories from the Finnish epic inspired him to write a romantic tragedy about a rebellious slave called "Kullervo" in 1860. This work received the award of the Finnish Literary Society. After several years of wandering, Kivi settled in the rural area of Shundeo, near Helsinki, where he devoted himself entirely to literary work. Here, he wrote the excellent "comedy of characters" called "The Nummisuutarit" (The Cobblers of the Nummis), the collection of lyrical poems "Karnivala" (Carnival) in 1866, and a one-act lyrical play on a biblical theme, "Lea" in 1869. The production of "Lea" in the same year marked the beginning of Finnish-language theater in the country.

His novel "Seven Brothers," which he finished two years before his death, became the pinnacle of his realistic tendencies in literature. Kivi only learned of the widespread recognition of his work in brief moments of enlightenment. He wrote twelve plays, one novel, and a few short stories in a span of seven years. "Seven Brothers" is the first Finnish novel written in the Finnish language, rather than in Swedish. It is now considered one of the most important novels in Finnish literature. At the end of the book, Kivi himself narrates, "And so, I have told the story of the seven brothers from the forests of Finland. What more can I say about their life on earth?"

However, the novel sparked significant debates immediately after its publication. Critics were divided into two camps - some viewed it sympathetically and had high hopes for the novel, emphasizing its potential to give a great impetus to the development of Finnish literature. Others were more skeptical. August Ahlqvist, a renowned critic, researcher of Finno-Ugric languages, and poet, described the novel as "absurdity" and "a stain of disgrace on Finnish literature".

Today, "Seven Brothers" has been translated into twenty-five languages worldwide. Kivi is still regarded as an unparalleled master of prose. He was the country's first professional writer who wrote in the Finnish language and was one of the pioneers of the Finnish literary language.