Traveling from Finland and settling in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula came with plenty of challenges. Although Finnish immigrants would come to find symbols of their nation throughout the region. One of the most common having been found in the forest was the white birch tree.
And then a smaller element that maybe people don’t notice as well is at midsummer you cut down two small birch trees and put them on either side of your door. And if you drive by the Heritage Center at midsummer you’ll see that those two birch trees are there. But the pole was something that we could do. So it’s a large pole. I think the one that we have is about 28 feet. It has some extensions, some arms off of it. And onto those are hung some wreaths that are put on sort of pivot so that they’ll move in the wind. – Jim Kurtti, President, Copper Country Finns and Friends
Mara Kilpela recalls seeing birch balms decorating homes in her childhood growing up in Finland.
The birch branches and or little birches were put next to the front door or above the door frame and then in the house like above the windows and about the door frames and other important thing is wildflowers. Wildflower bouquets were in the house. Wildflowers were picked up by little girls who made reeds to their heads. – Marja Kilpela, Atlantic Mine
In 2018 she and her husband traveled back to Finland, around Juhannus, and visited to site her father was confirmed in the church.
And it was so beautiful. There were huge bouquets of wildflowers decorating the whole church and birch branches. And it was so festive, so happy, so delightful thing to see. – Marja Kilpela, Atlantic Mine
During past Juhannus celebrations in the Copper Country, Martin Johnson of Toivola has helped the organizer find birch bark, and branches for decoration. He even uses the tree to make homemade goods.
Well, it’s just as hard work as cutting any other tree. It’s no easier, but it’s a nicer tree. I make some trivets or coasters, I got yellow birch now, but I’m going to get some white birch. – Martin Johnson, Toivola
Finnish heritage is rich in traditions that harken back to times before the region’s adoption of Christianity. Despite many people converting to Christianity, and like other cultures influenced by the religion, Finnish people kept some pagan traditions alive by incorporating elements of their heritage with new ceremonies and practices. Juhannus celebrations in Hancock will start Friday night. Learn more online.
