Kaleidoscope to celebrate Finnish culture

The Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja is planning a celebration worthy of Helsinki.

Scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20 at Finn Park, all kinds of events and activities have been planned by the society to celebrate traditional and modern Finnish culture.

Called the Finnish Kaleidoscope on Midsummer, the event recalls the society’s earlier days when it used to host midsummer parties for the summer solstice, which is an important holiday in Finland.

As in other far northern parts of the world, the summer solstice in Finland is a period of almost 24 hours of daylight.

“Our membership is aging,” FHSS member Ann Gwyther said. “This was a challenge for our younger members to help revitalize the club.”

As part of the traditional Finnish cultural events, there will be a Kokko (bonfire), Juhannustaika (midsummer magic folklore) and Salko (Maypole dancing) as well as traditional Finnish costumes.

Some of the more modern events include the bowling lawn game Mölkky as well as boot-throwing and wife-carrying contests.

Oil paintings, acrylics, watercolor, photography, weavings, etc. by Finnish-American and local artists will be on display, and local Finnish experts will discuss the local Finnish community, Scandinavian literature and Finnish sauna and answer frequently asked questions about the Finnish language.

Traditional Finnish (pannukakku and korvapuusti) treats will be available with midmorning coffee or tea, and a Finnish Seisovapöytä Buffet Lunch (smörgåsbord) will be available at noon.

There will be guest appearances by Finz, the Worcester Sharks mascot, who is changing his name to “Finnz” for the day, and Brett LeBlanc will drop by with his SK modified racecar in celebration of the Finns’ love for car racing

“Come and see a lot of crazy Finns in action!” Mrs. Gwyther said.

The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, or for the schedule of events, go to www.sovittaja.org.