FINN news

Winter is finally leaving! Kevät on täällä! Spring is here!

And all around there are signs of spring (“kevät” in Finnish), higher temperatures (yay!), snow melting, rain falling, roads and yards flooding, dangerous combinations of precipitation, etc.

I just can’t wait until the REAL spring is here with flowers popping up, trees budding, and days filled with warm breezes and lots of sunshine. I’ll even welcome the thunderstorms, if they don’t include any form of cold, ice or snow!

Along with spring popping, Finnish groups are starting to pop with exciting meetings and events after the long winter of bad weather causing events and meetings to be canceled and people to stay home.

The following are some of the great events that will get you out and about, catching up with Finnish and non-Finnish friends and making plans for warm weather fun!

Starting today, paintings by the Finnish artist Sirpa Särkijärvi will be shown at the Joseph Nease Gallery, 23 W. First St. in Duluth. An opening reception for Sirpa’s exhibit will be held at Joseph Nease Gallery 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 22.

Sirpa, a resident of Turku, Finland, is an accomplished painter and rising star in the Finnish art scene. Her work “transcribes” and captures the effects of culture, the modern world, and hidden pressures on people in Finland and many other countries, and her paintings are part of many museum and private art collections. With the support of a grant from Finland, Sirpa is traveling and exhibiting her 20 newest paintings at galleries all over the world.

Locally, the Ladies of Kaleva Väinnöttâren Tupa #24, of Cloquet, plan to meet on Wednesday, April 17 starting at 6 p.m. at Thomson Town Hall, 25 E. Harney Road, Esko. They welcome back their snowbird members as well as all guests and prospective new members.

Other area Finnish groups are also meeting.

The Ladies of Kaleva Aallottaren Tupa #15 will meet April 8 at 6 p.m. at Kenwood Lutheran Church, 2720 Myers Ave. in Duluth, for a program followed by a coffee time and their monthly meeting. All are welcome.

The Lakehead Chapter of the Minnesota Finnish American Historical Society (MFAHS) will hold their spring meeting on Thursday, April 25 at Kenwood Lutheran Church, 2720 Myers Ave. in Duluth. The meeting will start at 6 p.m., followed by coffee time and a program, “Celebrating Finland,” by Jeff Iisakka to honor Finland’s 100 years of independence. “Celebrating Finland” is an informational photographic and musical video presentation that highlights the people, culture, contributions and SISU of Finland. Dues can be paid at the meeting, and all members and guests are welcome to come and help plan upcoming activities and to see this great presentation. For more information, contact Jeff at 218-591-0944 or at [email protected].

SAVE THE DATE!

There are some exciting events coming soon that you will want to mark on your calendars. Plan to attend and invite your family and friends, too!

Sponsored by MFAHS, a Vapputanssit (Vappu Dance) is being planned for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at the Aad Shriners Center and Meeting Facility, 5152 Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown. Come and celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring with Vappu, an old-fashioned Finnish tradition held on the first of May!

You will have a great time visiting with friends, dancing to old-time Finnish music by the Mae Prachar Band, enjoying free pulla and coffee (as well as a cash bar), and bidding on Finnish treasures at the silent auction.

Admission is $10, free for kids age 12 and under. This is a fundraiser and all proceeds from the dance will be going toward student scholarships. For more information, contact Jeff at 218-591-0944 or at [email protected]. (Also, if you want to donate Finnish items for the auction, please contact Jeff at least one week before the dance.)

Now, get out, enjoy the weather, and celebrate Kevät - Spring!