Sukukansakuu tanssi ja soi!

Helsingin keskustakirjasto Oodi,
Maijansali, Töölönlahdenkatu 4

Celebrated with joy, Sukukansakuu tanssi ja soi was one of the highlight events of Finno-Ugric peoples month in October. October is known as sukukansakuu (kindred Finno-Ugric peoples’ month) in Finland, Estonia, Hungary, and other countries with Finno-Ugric minorities and diasporas. Even though it is not yet an official flagging day and well known day in Finland as it is in Estonia.

In Oodi, performances were given by ILMU – Karelian folk & trip hop band, Komi Lolav choir, and the Hungarian Forgató dance group. The evening ended with the Hungarians and a group dance lesson invitation for the audience members. In total roughly 100+ audience members attended throughout the day’s seven-hour event, held in Helsinki’s Oodi Library.

Among the more academic presentations, a panel discussion on working as a language assistant in the schools of the Finno-Ugric areas of Russia. Four language assistants shared their experiences, challenges and successes, during their time teaching Finnish language to Finno-Ugric students. Oftentimes, Finno-Ugric students often have an easier time with Finnish language and are eager to learn it, as the grammar functions similarly with their own mother tongues.  

Postdoctoral researcher Maria Fedina, a native Komi herself, shared her research on the Komi people, including the current situation, maintenance of the language, identity, and city-life experiences. This background information paired well with the Komi Lolav choir’s performance which followed Fedina’s presentation. Six members of Komi, now living in Finland and Estonia sang and danced in traditional Komi fashion. Each piece of their clothing has been hand-made or passed down by an ancestor. They were kind enough to allow some photo opportunities with myself and Sukukansojen ystävät ry during a break in the day’s events.

During this event we also invited the performers and panelists to the 2026 Finno-ugric capital of culture midsummer Juhannus festival in Hancock, Michigan, USA. Currently there is a call for proposals and more info available at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/things-to-do/museums-history/finnish-inspired-travel/finno-ugric-capital-of-culture/.

Nate Kilponen-Fix

The author is a Finnish-American Finno-Ugric activist who is a member of Finlandia Foundation‘s Young Leaders Board, Sukukansojen ystävät, and Pittsburgh Finns. He has worked for example in Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock.
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Kirjoittaja on amerikansuomalainen ja sukukansaliikkeen aktiivi, joka on jäsenenä Finlandia Foundationin Young Leaders Boardissa, Sukukansojen ystävissä ja Pittsburgh Finnsissä. Hän on työskennellyt muun muassa Amerikansuomalaisten perinnekeskuksessa Hancockissa.

Gallery ⌘ Kuvagalleria