It all started with the Kalevala Women’s Association, one of the guardians of the Finnish heritage, a great example of how Nordic women are fully integrated into society and business. They were among the first democracies to demand the vote a century ago, and now they are at the cutting edge of business innovations that support diversity and equality in the world.
Let’s take a dive into their innovative history with Finland’s special case…
The Kalevala Women’s Association (Kalevalaiset Naiset = Kalevala Women) was founded in 1935 with the aim of preserving and promoting Finnish cultural heritage, especially that of women. It began as a cultural movement inspired by the Finnish national epic, Kalevala, which was compiled from Finnish oral folklore and mythology.
The Kalevala Women soon became a voice for cultural education, emphasizing the importance of heritage and its relevance in modern society. Over time, their work expanded to support research and societal well-being, preserving intangible cultural assets for future generations.
The Association established a jewellry company called Kalevala Koru vision to celebrate Finnish culture through wearable art. This jewel of a company has a history of reinterpreting ancient jewelry, but today the company focuses on bold, sculptural, and modern design — inspired by the nature of the North and some others parts of the collection’s pieces are inspired by archaeological. The designs often reinterpret ancient symbols and themes, preserving their essence while making them accessible to contemporary customers. Some of its most iconic collections include “Louhetar” and “Moon Goddess”—each narrating its own story rooted in Finnish mythology
Kalevala Koru: Crafting Finland’s Cultural Identity
Kalevala Koru, (Kalevala Jewellery in English) is now Finland’s largest jewellery manufacturer and a prominent international brand rooted in national tradition.
The company’s headquarters and production facilities are located in Helsinki, where nearly 100 skilled artisans and employees work. These professionals are responsible for the entire production chain—from design and casting to polishing and packaging. Kalevala Koru is committed to domestic craftsmanship, with all of its pieces designed and made in Finland using primarily recycled precious metals. This environmentally conscious approach is a hallmark of the brand’s values, aligning heritage with sustainability.
Beyond aesthetics, Kalevala Koru promotes slow fashion and timeless design, encouraging customers to invest in lasting, meaningful pieces. The brand also collaborates with contemporary designers and artists, ensuring its relevance in both domestic and international markets. With a retail network that spans its own boutiques in Finland, a big Finnish reseller network, an online store, and global partners, Kalevala Jewellery continues to be a symbol of Finnish design excellence.
Philanthropy and Cultural Commitment – the Second Innovation.
The company shares a significant portion — one-third — of its profits into employee welfare and charitable causes.Domestically, the Foundation supports a range of efforts that uplift Finnish arts, heritage, and social progress. Funding is allocated to folk music, museum exhibitions, academic research on Finnish folklore and women’s history, and grassroots cultural events. The Foundation also prioritizes gender equality and initiatives that empower underrepresented communities.
Kalevala Koru’s most impactful philanthropic initiative is its support for the Kalevala Training Center (KTC) in Makongeni, Kenya, established in partnership with the Finnish-based non-profit Home Street Home (HSH). This centre provides vocational education in tailoring, hairdressing, and computer literacy to young women from underserved backgrounds. A total of 543 young women have already graduated from the Kalevala Training Centre.
https://www.kalevalashop.com/pages/kalevala-training-center
Fully funded by Kalevala Koru, the Centre employs local staff and is integrated with Kenya’s official education system—graduates receive nationally recognized certificates, significantly improving their life prospects.
Through this multifaceted philanthropy, Kalevala Koru exemplifies how a company can wield commercial success to create an initiative of enduring, systemic change. Whether preserving Finnish cultural identity or uplifting global communities, the company continues to fulfil its founding mission: to empower people through beauty, tradition, and responsibility.
Site: https://www.kalevala.fi/en
Picture: Kalevala Koru
The copy of the small painting above was painted by Akseli Gallen-Kallela: The Mother of Lemminkäinen in 1897 – It is hanging in the National Gallery in Helsinki. Lemminkäinen was one of the characters in the Finnish national epic Kalevala
