Finnish American Heritage Center to host poetry reading, "The Copper Country Strike of 1913," Sept. 23

HANCOCK -- The Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, will host a reading of Eelu Kiviranta’s narrative poem, "The Copper Country Strike of 1913," at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23.

Lillian Lehto will read the poem, which she has translated into the English language. Lehto is the granddaughter of Eelu Kiviranta (1873-1953), a Finnish immigrant miner and farmer who during his lifetime self-published and sold a number of booklets of his original poems.

The poem provides a first-hand look at the 1913 strike and its effects on the Copper Country area. The reading will be accompanied by a slide show of archival photographs illustrating many of the scenes mentioned in the poem. The presentation will be followed by discussion and coffee.

Lehto has translated a number of Kiviranta’s poems, which are published in her 2010 book, A Rascal’s Craft.

The event is free and open to the public. The Finnish American Heritage Center is located on the campus of Finlandia University at 435 Quincy Street in Hancock.

For more information, call 906-487-7505.

Inset: Photo of Lillian Lehto courtesy Finlandia University.