VISIT FROM THE PRESIDENT
Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland, is coming to Duluth in July to attend the "FinnFest 2008" celebration and to be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for public service presented by Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin and University regents at a 10 a.m. public ceremony, Friday, July 25 at the DECC Arena. The honorary degree is the highest award conferred by the University of Minnesota, recognizing individuals who have achieved acknowledged eminence in cultural affairs, in public service, or in a field of knowledge and scholarship.
A news conference is set for Friday, July 25 at 2 p.m. in the UMD Tweed Museum of Art outlining details of President Halonen's visit and of "Finn Fest 2008".
Chancellor Martin said, "We are very honored to have President Halonen join us in Duluth for the celebration of 'FinnFest 2008', and very proud to present her with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Her outstanding leadership on behalf of the rights of women, and workers, and the poor have made her an international role model; and she is
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Tarja Kaarina Halonen began her first term of office in 2000 and was re-elected in 2006. President Halonen is widely celebrated by Finns as a woman who has risen from modest circumstances with only her own competence to guide her to become the leader of their nation. During her career, President Halonen has paid close attention to issues of human rights, democracy and civil society. Issues concerning social justice and promotion of equality have been central themes throughout her political career. She obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Helsinki in 1968. Halonen served as the social secretary and organization secretary of the National Union of Students in Finland in 1969-1970 and partly thanks to this she obtained a position as the lawyer of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) for the years 1970-1974. She was a member of the Social Democratic Party from 1971-2000; Prime Minister's parliamentary secretary from 1974-1975; Member of Helsinki City Council from 1977-1996; Member of Parliament from 1979-2000; Minister of Social Affairs and Health from 1987-1990; Minister of Nordic Cooperation from 1989-1991; Minister of Justice from 1990-1991 and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1995-2000.
Wed, 7 – 8:30 pm, Opening Ceremony
Auditorium
No ticket required. (Doors open at 6 pm). Enjoy the music of Brent Buswell & Bert Stromholm’s Accordion Duo from 6 - 7 pm in the lobby.
Guests will be welcomed with the energetic and joyful sounds of violins filling the auditorium. Fiddlers of all ages will perform arrangements of traditional Finnish folk music. The event will include the following: baritone Gregg Santa accompanied by pianist Craig Randal Johnson, Ameriikan Poijat, Kaarina Kiviluoma reciting a poem, Järvenpää Singers and the Veteli Boys Choir performing together, Mika Roinila Family Singers, the Kisarit dancers, Pipestone along with Fancy Shawl Dancer LaTisha ‘Animikii Ikwe’ McRoy, Grass Dancer Bill Howes, Sami yoiker and drummer Nathan Muus, a pipe ceremony with Bryan Jon Maciewski, Lyz Jaakola, Oshkii Giizhik Singers and greetings from Finnish and local dignitaries and FinnFest 2008 co-chairs. Davis Helberg is the Master of Ceremonies. The entire community has been invited to this opening event. All are welcome!
Davis Helberg, a grandson of Finnish immigrants and native of Esko, Minn., began his career as a deckhand aboard a Great Lakes freighter. He became a newspaper reporter, public relations director, ship pilotage manager and president of a stevedoring and warehousing company before serving as executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.
Gregg Santa, baritone, has held a permanent position with the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo since 1997. He performed numerous roles in works of Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Poulenc, Grieg, Søderlind, Handel, Kverndokk, Bizet, Strauss, Giordano, Lehar, and others. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a Master of Music degree from the University of Minnesota.
Craig Randal Johnson is a Finnish-American, Minneapolis-based conductor, concert pianist/recitalist and double bassist. As Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year in 1999, Craig played over two-dozen Finnish piano recitals across the United States. He has a CD devoted to the Finnish piano music repertoire. At three FinnFests he organized and conducted gala symphony concerts featuring world premieres or first American performances of Finnish orchestral works. He held positions for six seasons in three German opera houses, and conducted concerts and opera in Italy and many locations in the U.S.
Ameriikan Poijat or Boys of America (loosely translated) is a brass septet formed from professional third-generation American Finns. They are reviving the tradition of the Finnish Brass Septet. Their music evolves around the old music and dance arrangements.
Kaarina Kiviluoma, who emigrated 59 years ago to the United States from Kauhajoki, Finland, lives in Palo, Minn. She will recite in Finnish, “Kesäjuhlaan,” (Summer Celebration), a poem by well-known Finnish poet Hilja Haahti. Kivilouma’s spellbinding style of recitation is reminiscent of the Finn Hall days and is rapidly becoming a lost art.
Järvenpää Singers, a chorus group, performs in the summer at ethnic celebrations. They began performing at the 1992 FinnFest in Duluth and have performed widely, including events at Iron World on Finnish Day, at Pikku Joulu, and at several FinnFests. Dolores Carlson directs the chorus, accompanied by Linda Bray and accordionist Marlene Sherlin.
The Veteli Boys’ Choir was founded by choir director Simo Kangas in Veteli, Middle Ostrobothnia, in spring 1985. In 1991 the President of Finland awarded Simo Kangas the title Director Cantus. The choir has grown to about 70 members and has presented concerts in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the former Czechoslovakia, Austria, the U.S. and most recently Rome where the Pope was in attendance. They take part in national and international choir events and also sang the theme song for the worldwide TV program “Children of the World” in spring 1985. They perform Piae Cantiones, spiritual or religious tunes, Finnish folk songs, and larger choir works.
The Mika Roinila Family Singers from Mishawaka, Ind. has performed individually and together by singing and playing instruments in settings such as church services and local musical events in Canada and the United States over the past 20 years. The family includes Dr. Mika Roinila, wife Grace, and children Ari, Anna, Sinikka, and Laura.
Kisarit Finnish-American Folk Dancers from the Twin Cities area of Minn. was founded in 1972 to promote awareness and appreciation of the Finnish culture in America through Finnish folk dance and music. Since the first performance in March 1973, the group has performed at numerous festivals (including some in Finland), nationality gatherings, business promotions, and other functions.
Pipestone, a traditional Ojibwe drum group, is from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in northern Wisconsin. They sing in the original “old style” of their people, straight songs with a snappy beat, Ojibwe music passed down to them from generations ago. Their fifth CD “Good Ol’ Fashioned NDN Lovin” received Record of the Year at the 2007 National Native American Awards. Well known for their jingle and grass dance songs, Pipestone is gaining popularity for their hand drum singing.
LaTisha ‘Animikii Ikwe’ McRoy is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Wisconsin. She began dancing as soon as she could walk and now performs as a Fancy Shawl Dancer, imitating the butterfly by wearing extravagant regalia colors, and using intricate footwork and fast-paced dancing. A student at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, she performs widely as Head Female Dancer at pow-wows and gives Ojibwe dancing demonstrations.
Nathan Muus has been co-editor of Báiki: The International Sámi Journal for 15 years. He explored his family’s Norwegian and Saami heritage, which led to his interest and involvement in traditional yoik music. He has relatives today involved in reindeer herding in Snaasa, Norway, and is also related to Saami in Finnmark. Nathan has learned from many yoik performers in Sámi land and while visiting North America.
Bryan Jon Maciewski, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, teaches business, finance, and marketing at the Fond du Lac Tribal College. As Pipe Carrier for the college he is also a spiritual advisor to the students, faculty, and administration. He is studying for the ministry.
Bill Howes, Anishinaabe from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, dances a “Grassdance” using regalia designed to move like the tall grass of the plains. He travels across the country with his family, dancing at powwows and dance presentations.
Lyz Jaakola, an Anishinaabe/Finnish-American and member of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior, is a college teacher with a varied musical background. Her Native-based compositions have been heard on radio stations, television, video, and performed on stage.
The Oshkii Giizhik (New Day) Singers are a group of Native American (Anishinaabe and Hochunk) women from Minnesota’s Northland. The group has an evolving membership and they sing for tribal ceremonies, gatherings, celebrations, and performances across Minnesota. Their mission is to empower by encouraging women to use their voices.
Brent Buswell and Bert Stromholm’s Accordion Duo (pre-concert music) are Finlandia Foundation National’s performers of the year for 2008. Bert Stromholm, a talented accordion player and entertainer, has been performing and playing dances since his youth. Brent Buswell pays the accordion as well as organ and percussion. He received a degree in professional music from Berklee College of Music. They will be joined by Crista Buswell, Brent’s wife, pianist and a graduate of Penn State.
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Nathan Muus |
