Finnish Independence Day 2009

December 10, 2009
On Sunday, December 6, at 2:00 p.m., the Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center hosted its 92^nd annual Finnish Independence Day program. The program celebrates the anniversary of the date Finland gained its independence in 1917.

FINNISH INDEPENDENCE

Independence Day - celebrated each year since 1917 on December 6 in Finland - is a holiday filled with tradition, as Finnish citizens pause to remember the brave individuals who fought valiantly to give their country its freedom. The day is traditionally marked with solemn ceremonies, patriotic speeches and church services. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of Independence Day is the lighting of a pair of candles in the windows of each home and business in memory of the soldiers who fought for Finland.

This year’s program featured a variety of local performers, and the City of Hancock’s Finnish Theme Committee will announced the 2010 Hankooki Heikki honoree. The Hankooki Heikki recognition is bestowed annually upon a person whose commitment to preserving and promoting Finnish culture in the area goes above and beyond "normal" efforts. This year the honoree chosen was Me;vin Kangas, pictured on the right.

Two giant himmelis created by Milwaukee-based artist Ernest Hensersky were on display.

HIMMELIS

A himmeli is a geometric straw mobile which is very
dear to Finns and found in Finnish homes at Christmas time. They are made from short pieces of straw threaded together to form a three-dimensional structure.

Hung above the table during the Christmas
season, the belief was that the himmeli would ensure that the next year's crop would be plentiful; the bigger the size, the larger the crop would be.

The himmelis on display Sunday - were made of wood rather than straw to accommodate its size - were crafted by Ernst Hensersky of Wisconsin.

They are actually two of five parts of a much larger himmeli; the other sections are on display at Portage Health, Hancock Elementary School and Hancock High School. They are made of pine that was salvaged from a century-old house.

These himmelis are compliments of the Ciry of Hancock's Finnish Theme Committee, and were funded by a grant from Finlandia Foundation National.

above - Jim Kurtti, Honorary Consul of Finland - U.P. welcomes members of the audience.

FLAG PROCESSION -,Maamme laulu

above - Greetings from Bill Laitila, Mayor, Ciry of Hancock Video of the Mayor's remarks follow below

above - addressing the audience is Duane Aho, V.P. External Relatons, Finlandia University. Aho's speech to the audience is featured below on a video.