Linda Kurba Leskinaine

Linda Kurba Leskinaine is a reworking of an earlier choral composition Kalevi Matus. Both pieces are based on an episode of the Estonian national epic, the Kalevipoeg, written by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1862, Kuopio (Finland)).

The plot and characters are based on ancient oral traditions from Estonia and surrounding regions, especially the Finnish Kalevala. These oral tales follow the deeds of a friendly giant named Kalevipoeg (Kalev’s son). In these legends, Kalevipoeg, the youngest son of Kalev and Linda born after his father’s death, fought other giants and enemies of the nation. Following the advice of a hedgehog, Kalevipoeg uses stones and planks as weapons against his enemies, while shaping landscapes, creating waterways and building towns. Unlike the ability of Jesus to walk on the water, poor Kalevipoeg was only able to walk through deep water. Unfortunately, Kalevipoeg eventually dies after his feet are cut off by his own sword due to his faulty instructions.