Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Around 2,000 people are expected at a five-day festival celebrating Finnish culture that runs in Duluth from Wednesday through Sunday. Attendees will have the opportunity to sweat in a sauna, take in Finnish music, film, arts and crafts, and even a discussion of international geo-politics. 

Finn Fest USA launched in the Twin Cities in 1983 as a way for Finnish-Americans to keep their culture alive. 

Since then it’s been held across the U.S., including two previous stops in Duluth, most recently in 2008. About 10,000 people attended that year — the festival’s largest turnout to date. 

Initially “It was much more I think exclusive to Finnish culture, people who are actually from there and missing certain things back home but are living in the U.S., so that they could gather together,” said the festival’s Executive Producer Heli Sirvioe. 

Today, Sirvioe said, the festival takes a broader, more global, inclusive approach. The target audience is Finns and “friends of Finland,” alike, “people who might have an interest for Nordic food, Nordic music and films."

While the festival began Wednesday with tours around the region, it ramps up in earnest following the opening convocation Thursday evening (featuring Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and Superior, Wis., Mayor Jim Paine), with 

Most events will be held at the DECC, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, although some will take place at different venues in Duluth. 

Some of the festival’s highlights include: 

While the annual festival has been held in 23 different cities, organizers say they now plan to hold it in Duluth every year for at least the next five years. 

The commitment makes sense, Sirvioe said, considering that about 20 percent of the people who live in the region say they have Finnish heritage. There’s also strong appreciation for Finnish-American culture. 

“So it seems quite logical, and also fruitful ground to want to grow our roots.”

Arts and Culture

Minnesota News

Greater Minnesota

NewsPartners

Homepage

Dan Kraker

Author

Around 2,000 people are expected at Finn Fest in Duluth, a five-day festival celebrating Finnish culture that features music, film, art and shopping, along with talks on Finland’s recent acceptance into NATO, and even public saunas. 

Finn Fest opens in Duluth, commits to the city for next five years

Go Deeper.

Like this?