Finnish Literature Day

Finnish Literature Day is celebrated on October 10 each year. The date was chosen because it was the anniversary of the birth of Alexis Kivi, one of the greatest Finnish writers of all times.

Aleksis Kivi was born on October 10, 1834 in Nurmijärvi in the village of Palojoki. He was born Alexis Stenvall, and he used this name throughout his life. Aleksis Kivi is his author name. Alexis was the fourth child in the family. He had three older brothers, later a little sister was born. He was a prolific playwright but is most remembered for his novel Seven Brothers. Seven Brothers were published in 1870. This event marked the end of an era dominated by authors who wrote in Swedish and created a basis for a new generation of Finnish authors. Alexis Kivi and his successors such as Juhani Aho and Minna Canth focused on depicting ordinary people in a realistic way.