The Finnish American Reporter is a monthly, English language journal, established
in 1986, featuring articles and news reports of interest to Finns across
North America, in Finland and around the world.
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| The Finnish American Reporter has no political or denominational affiliation
and welcomes well-written articles representing any aspect of Finnish culture,
politics and religion. The Finnish American Reporter provides a national
network for announcements of Finnish events in the United States and Canada.
Monthly features in the Finnish American Reporter include: sports, calendar of events, genealogy, book reviews, regional news and regular columnists. Past issue book reviews can now be found here. Current news reports from Finland and the North American keep the Finnish community connected, despite great distances. Numerous FAR subscribers are active supporters of the FAR by submitting articles, regional news, calendar events and photographs for publication. To join the growing number of participating FAR subscribers, click on the links below. Submissions can also be sent by mail or fax.
Some of the features included
Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey, when he was greeted by crowds waving palm fronds. In Finland, the only plant flowering at this point is usually the pussy willow, so it is often used in Palm Sunday celebrations and decorations. Pussy willow twigs ornamented with bright feathers and tissue paper are used by children who dress as witches, cats or bunnies and go door-to-door collecting sweets. They recite a rhyme wishing the residents health , and then give them the decorated branches in exchange for Easter candy.
Artwork by Rudolf Koivu
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in the March 2013 issue are ...
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PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURES ESSENCE OF 'FINGLISH'
BY KAISA MAENPAA
In 2004, more than half a century after his uncle and aunt departed Finland and immigrated to Canada, photographer Vesa Oja and his wife Päivi traveled to the North America and took an extended road trip around the Great Lakes. Oja’s goal was to find out more about his family, and during that trip he got the idea to get to know Finnish immigrants in the United States and Canada by both interviewing and taking photographs of them. He wanted to let these people tell their stories and to show a part of history of which many Finns are not necessarily aware.
Eight years and several road trips later, the project finally came to its conclusion. All the miles on vast highways and small country roads had paid off: Oja had managed to take dozens of photographs as well as interviews, and the outcome was even better than expected. But the best parts for Oja were the warmth and the hospitability of ...
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Pirkko Karvonen poses with one of her creations.
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CANADIAN ARTIST HAS WOVEN QUITE THE CAREER
BY KAISA MÄENPÄÄ
Forssa, Finland-born Pirkko Karvonen learned to combine her hands and head as soon as she started school. During her childhood, both boys and girls were taught to crochet and knit. Decades later, Karvonen, who now lives in Alberta, Canada, still weaves; it has become a major part of her life. But becoming a professional has not reduced her need to learn new things.
Karvonen was born during the Second World War. “When I was about to start grade three the school was used as a hospital for soldiers injured in the war,” she said. “Daily we saw refugees from the war torn area walking past with all their possessions.”
In 1944, when she was nine years old, Karvonen became one of the 70,000 children sent to Sweden with a ...
FINNFEST 2013 TO FEATURE MANY EXHIBITS
BY DAVID MAKI
Many Americans remember Marian Anderson for her conscience-grabbing concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, 1939, after she was denied by the Daughters of the American Revolution the use of Constitution Hall, an arena that, from 1935 to 1952, opened its doors to white artists only. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, appalled at the Hall’s racist action, resigned from the DAR in protest and opened the Lincoln Memorial for Anderson’s concert. As Abraham Lincoln’s statue watched over her from behind, Anderson gave an extraordinary performance that will go down in history as one of the most dramatic civil-rights spectacles ever. Anderson’s contributions to race relations are noteable. She was the first African-American singer to perform at the White House, and the first African American to sing with New York’s Metropolitan Opera.
What many people might not realize, however, is Anderson’s strong and direct connection to Finnish music – in particular, the works of famed composer Jean Sibelius.
Information such as this will be explained and presented as part of an exhibit about Anderson by the Daughters of the American Revolution that is being planned for during FinnFest USA 2013 ...
HAKOLA CARVED A NICHE AS A CARTOONIST
BY ILPO LAGERSTEDT
Sameli Albertinanpoika Hakola was born Jan 11, 1847. He lived at Hakola torp of Rinta-Jyllilä farm in Kurikka. His wife was Sofia Magdalena Juhontytär (John’s daughter), born November 16, 1846 also in Kurikka. Their son Juho was born Sept. 13, 1873 in Kurikka, South Pohjanmaa. His only education in Finland was an elementary school. According to local documents, Juho Hakola left Finland first time, heading for the New World on July 27, 1890. It seems likely he returned soon after, because he left Finland again in May 1893. His older brother took him by horse cart to the nearest railway station, which was Seinäjoki. From Seinäjoki Juho took the train to Hanko and a steam ship to Liverpool, then was aboard the White Star Line to Québec.Juho’s destination was Ishpeming, Michigan where his uncle Taneli (Daniel) Jyllilä lived and worked as a miner. Juho became a miner too. He was hired as a trammer, and his first name was changed; he was known as ...
FAR'S FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I've misplaced an issue with a FinnRoads article in it. What can I do?
To read about some of the places FinnRoads has explored in the past, click here, and then choose an article.
Where can I find the English-language lyrics to a Finnish song?
Answers: "Finland Sings – Finland in Music and Pictures" – 1952 Fazer
"Songs Finland Sings" – (only with English translations) – edited by Barbara Helsingius (Warner/Chapell Music ) ISMN M-042-09033-6
"Laulupiiri Säestykset – Singing Circle Accmpaniments" – Anja Sell (developed and sold to support Salolampi Finnish Language Village)
"Song of Finland" (Tunhansien laulujen maa) – ISBN 951-0-13615-8 (WSOY)
Note: The first title has been out of print for a number of years; all other titles are available at North American retailers such as North Wind Books.
FAR WEB EXTRA: Arne Alanen on sauna -- click here
PLUS MUCH MORE!
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