On Independence Day 1992, Volter Kilpi's Alastalon salissa ('In Alasto's Parlour') was voted the best work of Finnish literature to have appeared since Finland gained independence. A classic writer long pushed out of public awareness had finally earned his place at the summit of Finnish literature.
Background
Volter Kilpi was born at his mother's family home and spent the first, perhaps decisive, years of his life there. The young Volter had to lead a "life strongly dominated by the imagination" and was in his youth evidently already accustomed to solitude and perhaps difference as well.
Education
He was an average pupil, but outside school he was a passionate reader. Of great significance was the fact that at the age of about 16 he was forced to admit to himself that his hearing was becoming worse. This became another factor that isolated him from his surroundings. His introverted character made for the development of a sort of idealistic unconditionality.
After doing well in his university entrance examination, Volter Kilpi moved to Helsinki as a student. His studies in the Department of History and Languages were not very systematic; but all the more consistent was his reading in the fields of world literature and philosophy. During holidays at Kustavi, youth association activities provided opportunities for talks, speeches and writing.
Career
One of his very first publications, however, was an article on the organisation of the popular library movement that appeared in 1898. During his more than twenty years at the University of Helsinki Library, his work included cataloguing the Nordenskiöld Collection of books and maps. He thus had a wide range of experience with libraries when he moved to Turku early in 1919 as a librarian at that city's municipal library.