Finlandia University - Yearbook (Hancock, MI)

Page 70 text:

KONVENTTI MEMBERS TRANSLATING THANK YOU LETTERS called special attention to the traditional list of names in these runes in Finland and also in Estonia. They have tried to prove that the events mentioned in the Kalevala have occurred in west and southwest Finland. The adherents of the mythical point of view state that philology has proved that the Finnic peoples from time immemorial-have had mythical fancies of nature, spirits, heaven, etc. The Kalevala heroes were at least halfgods. Pohjola is the home of North Star. The latest explanation about Sampo, which is the central theme' in the Finnish Epic, is that of Prof. Setala, who presents it as the pillar of the world carrying the firmament. It is fast in bedrock, and the nail at its top is the North Star. t New beliefs and ideas came in the Middle Ages with the Catholic liturgies and legends of saints, and from the sermons. In Finnish- magic poetry there are about 150 names of saints in very corrupted forms. The Catholic Virgin cult had a central position in the Finnish emotional life. It is very rich and origin.al, but not orthodox. , Magic poetry has been more original in Finland than in other European countries. Proverbs collected, there number almost 50,000g many of them are of all-European and international origin. , To understand Elias Lonnrot's life-work in the field of Finnish folk- lore, one should remember that the spirit of the first decades of the 19th century was that of Romanticism. In Finland it was connected with the Finnish national tendency and it had, therefore, a greater significance in that country. Lonnrot was under its influence, but his education was classical. He needed both these forces in his task. y The Kalevala is not a reliable source for prehistoric Finnish life and culture. Nevertheless, its influence has been very fruitful on the Finnish language and literature, in the works of many Finnish composers, poets, sculptors and painters. The material written about the Kalevala abroad is notable.. In America its inspiration is also felt in Longfellowis Hiawatha. u Kosti Arho. Page sixty-four

Page 69 text:

U Simi 'Em B. h rsiime If Iiidl ilu pro iii stu db lan- : due 1 ifmst Ymh 1 hiifllllt was Fwh ' iflll' Ni not ijifldf filfl' , fur P214 i 1- fum v irvm 1135? e Hindi 52155 - 1 W W tioned the activity during border patrol duty before the outbreak of war, but vividly described the military tactics and final consequences. In addition, he related some of the more cheerful and humorous incidents of warfare. Mrs. Alma Haapanen presented a lecture, based on her visit to Finland in 1947, giving an insight on the current status of Finnish social and economic affairs. , T s The Finnish students presented a humorous skit portraying the typical grammar school scene. The teacher having taught history for about 25 years taught current history using antiquated methods. Among the students was the usual teacher's pet, the dunce, and the witty student who never failed to- take advantage of the teacher's absent-mindedness. The members of the Konventti carried out a campaign to gather old clothes in conjunction with the Help Finland Society. The part ofthe campaign car- ried out by this group centered around the student body. of the college. The American Red Cross in a letter to Mr.,K. Arho, faculty advisor, re- quested that his classes translate some letters from Finnish children who had received gift boxes from children of the American junior Red Cross. The mem- bers of the Konventti decided to fulfill the request by making it a project of the club. There were about 500 letters written in simple, yet sincere language. The linguists of the group had an opportunity either to test or display their abilities. Even those who are novices in the use of the Finnish language received some practical experience. Two issues of the Sade' Lehti were printed, the first one being a special Christmas issue. The word sade literally means spark, and the Sade Lehti itself was originally meant to be a form of communication among the members. Anyone who has an inspiration to do some creative work in prose or poetry may express himself in this pamphlet. A Heretofore, only one copy was printed and placed permanently in the college library. This year for thefirst time it was mimeographed -so that each member had a personal copy. -I The Suomalainen Konventti is proud to be identified withtSuomi College, the only educational institution for the perpetuation of Finnish culture in America. --- ' A BRIEF SURVEY OF FINNISH FOLK-POETRY At least the original forms of certain known old poems reach back to the Estonian-Finnish era 11000-1200 A.D.j. The question whether the oldest part of Finnish folk-poetry is mythical or historical, is still open. The historical viewpoint presumes that the oldest Finnish folk-poetry de- scribes historical conditions, persons and events of the Viking era and the transi- tion period of paganism and Christianity. Defenders, of this standpoint have STUDENTS FROM FINLAND Left to right: Arvo Hamaliii- nen, Airno Ervanne, Albert Le- hikoinen, Paul Tirri. . 1 E l Page sixty-three 5

Page 71 text:

M 'Fw -mf D 5+ f SA? ui i , L '. . i- -tht 1 ,, . ,N - Q' U12 'Q 'Lat' IH 'o 216 H4 .1 -7,30 GU! . 5 .S It U1 - gs. 1'-' . PM t f'f'?TY ui is 1 gjfli :T Z-P95 1 , .14 ,,,,. ind I-1 d . 'A . gb ' '6 7fiamma Standing up upon my wing zips, Frorn the sea I will transport thee W lieresoever thou rnayest fancy.