Juhannus celebration June 22-25 to include art, music, dance, Folk School demonstrations, more ...

Finlandia University Gallery, in collaboration with the Finnish American Folk School, will open this week's Juhannus celebrations Wednesday, June 22, with a reception for the exhibit "The Folk School at Midsummer," a group exhibit presenting the work of the folk school instructors and students. Pictured here are (foreground left) Anita Jain, Stormy Seas, 2020; (foreground right) Anita Jain, Lily of the Woods, 2017; (background) work by Phyllis Fredendall and Kenyon Hansen. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- This week Finlandia University celebrates its 125th Anniversary in conjunction with several Juhannus celebrations.* The following events offer a variety of cultural activities open to the public.

7 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 -- Finlandia University Gallery, in collaboration with the Finnish American Folk School will hold an opening reception for "The Folk School at Midsummer," a group exhibit presenting the work of the folk school instructors and students and featuring the work of composer-improviser, sound and visual artist Sara Pajunen and textile artist Wynne Mattila. Presentations by Sara Pajunen and  folklorist Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen. The exhibit continues through Sept. 2. (Inset photo: Sara Pajunen. Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

The work of guest artist-instructors Sara Pajunen, Wynne Mattila, Anita Salminen Jain, Liv Aanrud and local instructors Karen Tembruell, Phyllis Fredendall, Clare Zuraw, Alice Margerum, Lindsey Heiden, Kenyon Hansen and their students fills the gallery with the inspirations and results of folk school programming. Students exhibiting work include Lisa Wiitala, Laura Marquart, Sue Ellen Kingsley, John Gale, Nathan Ryckman, Dawn Andersson, Stephanie Carpenter, Mary Mills, Melissa Lewis, Miriam Pickens, Julie Badel, Leslie Sotala, and Lois Anderson. (Inset photo: Work by student Sue Ellen Kingsley. Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

FRIDAY, JUNE 24:

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Juhannus Summer Market at North Wind Books featuring Scandinavian/Nordic items and bakery.
Location:  North Wind Books and tents in parking lot. Admission: public, free, no registration requirements.

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. -- Juhannus Dance.
Join violinist Sara Pajunen and Thimbleberry Band for an evening of traditional music and dance.

The Thimbleberry Band: (Standing, from left) Oren Tikkanen, Tom Collins, Matthew Durocher; and on accordion Dave Bezotte. (Photo courtesy Oren Tikkanen)

Finnish American Heritage Center. Admission: $10 in advance by June 23, $15 at the door. Masks required. Click here to purchase advance tickets.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25:

10 a.m. - Noon -- Finnish American Folk School Demonstrations. Traditional arts demonstrations by Finnish American Folk School instructors on Quincy Green, Hancock. Admission: public, free, no registration requirements.

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Juhannus Summer Market at North Wind Books featuring Scandinavian/Nordic items and bakery.
Location:  North Wind Books and tents in parking lot. Admission: public, free, no registration requirements.

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. -- Finnish Song Workshop with Sara Pajunen. Quincy Green. Admission: $20, advanced registration required. Click here to register.

9 p.m. -- Toivola Fire Department Kokko (Bonfire). Agate Beach. Admission: public, free, no registration requirements.

* Click here to read about landmarks in the history of Finlandia University/Suomi College.

Gov. Whitmer, Lt. Governor Gilchrist sign Juneteenth Proclamation

LANSING -- Today, June 19, 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II issued a proclamation declaring June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when slavery was abolished in the United States.*

"We are proud to celebrate Juneteenth as an official state holiday for the first time," said Governor Whitmer. "Today presents an important opportunity to celebrate and elevate the stories of Black Americans as we continue to make record investments in communities of color. Since we took office, the lieutenant governor and I have prioritized building a state representative and responsive to the people we serve, addressing racial disparities and improving equity across Michigan. I am proud to declare June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and I am committed to working with anyone to build a more equitable and just state for all Michiganders."

"Juneteenth marks a crucial day in our nation’s history to recognize the important progress we’ve made, while committing ourselves to the ongoing effort to center equity in all our work and make Michigan a place where every person can succeed," said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "As the first Black lieutenant governor in our state, I’m building the policies and practices that will address and undo the damage racism and injustice has caused on our communities. That’s why we continue to invest in schools, job training, environmental justice, infrastructure and supporting businesses -- all transformational investments and policies that celebrate, support and uplift communities of color. I am proud of the progress we’ve made thus far and will continue to work every day to make sure every all Michiganders have the support and opportunities they need."

Juneteenth originated on June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, where he read General Order #3, stating that all slaves were free, and that former masters and slaves were absolutely equal in personal and property rights. Acting as the date of emancipation, June 19th also became a long-standing day of celebration, meant to honor African American resilience and the end of slavery.**

Since they took office, Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist have been committed to making Michigan a more equitable and just state. The governor assembled the most diverse cabinet in Michigan's history to ensure that government is more representative of all Michiganders. More than 338 Black Michiganders have been appointed to boards, commissions and full-time positions, and 60 percent of appointees are women or people of color. The governor also appointed 12 Black Michiganders to the bench out of 41 judicial appointments. Under Executive Order 2020-163, the governor required implicit bias training for all state employees.

In response to COVID-19, Governor Whitmer established the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities by Executive Order 2020-55. The task force, which Lt. Governor Gilchrist chairs, has made real progress in bringing down the COVID disparity for Black Michiganders and has extended its work to tackling health disparities as a whole.

Additionally, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-163, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and creating the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The Council is the first of its kind in Michigan to elevate Black leaders and representatives and take initial steps to address racism within state government.

* Click here to read the Juneteenth Proclamation.

** Click here to read more about Juneteenth and how it is celebrated.