Karelians' Week brings history, evening socials and shared celebrations to Heinola
Karelia Week is being celebrated in Heinola from 29 September to 4 October. The programme for the week brings together Karelian history, culture, music and a sense of community. Events will be held at the Käkisalmi Museum, Heinola Upper Secondary School, the WPK House and Heinola Church. The week is organised by the Käkisalmi Foundation and the Heinola Karelia Society.
The week kicks off on Tuesday 29 September at the Käkisalmi Museum, where two free guided tours of the Ladoga – Sea of Karelia exhibition will be held at 1 pm and 3 pm. Erkki Vuohelainen and Pertti Bogdanov, both from Käkisalmi, will be taking part in the afternoon tour at 3 pm.
On Wednesday 30 September at 18:00, Heinola Upper Secondary School will be filled with Karelian music and traditional evening entertainment (*iltamat*). Performing at the Karelian Evening will be Erkki Liikanen with accordionist Heimo Mäntynen, Erkki Heiskanen and Leo Niemelä, the East Häme Folk Dancers, and Hannu Knuutila. The evening will be hosted by tribal leader Velkki Mykrä. Admission to the event is free, but tickets will be distributed in advance at Kahvila Käki and the Heinola Cultural Office, with a maximum of two tickets per person.
On Thursday 1st October at 3 pm, the history of the Heinola Karelian Society, *Myöhä ollaan enemmistö – Heinolan Karjalaseura 80-vuotta* (We're late being the majority – The Heinola Karelian Society 80 years), written by Timo Mykrä, will be launched at the Käkisalmi Museum. At the event, Timo Mykrä will delve into the background of the history and the production of the book. At the same time, a miniature exhibition showcasing the eighty-year journey of the Heinola Karelian Society will be opened at the Käkisalmi Museum.
The main events of the week include the 80th anniversary celebration of the Heinola Karelian Society on Saturday 3 October at 14:00 at the Heinola WPK House. The anniversary speech will be given by Outi Örn, Vice President of the Karelian League, and the closing remarks will be delivered by Bishop Emeritus Seppo Häkkinen. Music will be provided by the Värttinä Trio. There will be coffee served at the event and admission is free.
The Karelian week concludes on Sunday 4 October at 10 am with the Karelian Folk Mass celebrated in Heinola Church. The sermon will be given by Seppo Häkkinen. After the mass, a wreath will be laid at the memorial for those who remained in Karelia in the churchyard, and the festive week will conclude with church coffee in the parish's Lampisali hall.
