Duluthians Celebrate Kalevala Day and Finnish Culture

Dozens spent the afternoon enjoying Finnish food, music, and presentations

DULUTH, Minn. — Today was all about celebrating Finnish culture at Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Duluth.

Both Finnish Americans and non-Finns joined together for an early Kalevala Day celebration. The holiday is typically celebrated on February 28th is is named after the national epic of Finland. One of the organizers, Marjori Bottila, says its important for the community to acknowledge the history between Finland and Minnesota.

“They’re everywhere! Finns are everywhere,” Bottila said. “But again just like a lot of cultures, a lot of different countries, immigration had been going on for a good 200 years almost, or 150 years. They were probably very enamored with Minnesota because it does look like home. We have the birch, the water, the pine, and that’s very similar to Finland.”

In Duluth, people listened to guest speaker Chelsey Miller, a communication associate at UMD’s library, on her recent trip to Finland. They also enjoyed traditional Finnish delicacies, such as piirakka (rice pie with a rye crust), pulla (cardamom bread), and makkara (sauna sausage).