Sitting in a sauna is a special place for many Finnish Americans. Some may even jump in an ice bath or freeing cold lake after they’re done. Finland has many customs and traditions, that may seem strange today in America. Finns and Friends President Jim Kurrti says some of the region’s folklore centered around Juhannus celebrates life, rebirth, and rejuvenation.
There were traditions, if you were a young girl and you were hoping to get married. You would pick seven different flowers and you would put the flowers under your pillow at night. And at night when you slept with the flowers under your pillow you would dream of the man you were going to marry. There were also traditions where women would run around the sauna three times, naked, during their steam bath. So there were a lot of little quirky things. And then they also believed that for some reason the ferns would flower at midnight. Of course, ferns don’t have flowers. – Jim Kurtti, president, Copper Country Finns and Friends
Throughout Juhannus this weekend finns and friends will share some of Finland’s culture with the copper country’s communities. On Saturday visit Keweenaw plans to host a Heikenpaiva favorite, the wife-carrying contest. As well as traditional Finnish lawn games like mulkky. During the weekend attendees will also hear some traditional Finnish tunes from local musicians or learn the steps to traditional dances. Learn more about Juhannus online.
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