Paper short abstract:

In my presentation, I will explore technology in the esoteric historical interpretations of the Finnish national epic Kalevala. Focusing on writings from prominent interwar theosophist W. Angervo I illustrate how imagining an advanced ancient past was used for patriotic-spiritual identity building.

Paper long abstract:

How people see the past is strongly associated with how they view themselves and their place in the world. History writing can be seen as an imaginative act where pieces of information are put into a narrative structure. This creative aspect opens possibilities for critical reinterpretations of official narratives of history. In my ongoing dissertation research, I study historical counter-narratives that are connected to modern spiritualities. I regard these alternative views concerning the past as reactions to their contemporary cultural milieu. One of my case studies examines Finnish theosophist Willie Angervo (1875–1938) and his views of history that challenge institutional Christianity and mainstream historical research of his time.

In my presentation, I will discuss how Angervo’s Kalevala-inspired writings of an ancient pagan past are used to construct and reinforce non-Christian national identity in a predominantly Christian nation that had fairly recently gained its independence. I focus especially on his visions of advanced Atlantean civilizations that are presented as the origins of many of Kalevala’s stories and precursors of modern Finnish people. Here Angervo also draws heavily from the Hindu Puranas and theosophical evolutionism of H.P. Blavatsky. He mentions for example magically made firearms, airships and mechanical sonic devices. The frequent use of magic is also depicted as a sign of knowledge and advancement that has been since forgotten.

Informed by Wouter J. Hanegraaff’s notion of historical imagination in itself as an important research object I will look into what a spiritually motivated historical narrative can tell us about the time and place of its writing. My focus on the alternative (in multiple senses) offers an interesting perspective to outline the dominant narratives that are being opposed.