Today is the first day of FinnFest in Duluth. I’m sharing some Finnish thoughts, trivia and reflections.

Born in Minnesota to Finnish farmers, David Salmela is a self-trained architect based in Duluth whose home and furniture designs are easily recognized. He is known for the Finnish influence of serenity, simplicity and light and holds more than 70 architecture state, national and international awards, including eight National AIA Honor Awards for Architecture.

… according to Lake Superior Magazine.

The University of Minnesota Duluth’s archives has a lot of cool material about the Finnish connection to Duluth, like the old news release below from the 1950s, celebrating visiting Finnish gymnasts.

In the end, though, I’m a writing teacher, and so I want to look at Finnish writing.  The poem below is from Richard Impola’s translation of the Kalevala. It is about the arrival of guests, like the guests who will arrive for FinnFest.