Reason #1: Hockey. Need I say more? But just in case: Reason #2: Finland’s huge telecom communications company, Nokia, is responsible for a large chunk of the country’s economic activity. Nokia had some trouble with its handset business and now, seems almost invisible. Our telecommunications giant – Nortel – actually did disappear. Reason #3: winter. #4: Finland knows what it’s like to live close to overbearing, powerful neighbours. Think the United States makes life difficult? Try the Soviet Union, which Finland had to fight off in its terrible Winter War in 1939-40. Or the Russians, recently flexing their military muscles in the far north. Or even the Swedes, with whom the Finns have a lov
The earliest waves of Finnish immigrants to Montreal consisted overwhelmingly of young Finnish women. Unlike in other areas of Canada, where Finnish immigrants engaged in forestry or other labour, in Montreal the gender balance was definitely female! These determined and resourceful young Finns often worked as domestic help in the ‘grandes maisons”, or the large and rich homes of the Montreal wealthy. They were the primary movers behind starting the congregation, and the initial financial offerings they raised came from their own, often meagre, earnings. Through the years, unlike in many other churches, women and men together have always been on church council, and active in the direction of
In 2014, I produced this documentary, featuring many of the members of St. Michael's/St. Mikaelin Finnish church, who traveled and sang in Finland as part of the North American Suomi Choir. I asked them the question "Where is home?". Here's what they said...
The bazaar is a chance for all Montreal Finns, whether they're 'church people' or not, to get together and enjoy each other's company, and to welcome the neighbourhood. This short film celebrates the 2017 bazaar. Why not come out to the next one?
St. Michael's Finnish church in Montreal is unique - it was a group made up mostly of young working class Finnish immigrant women who started the church and made sure it kept going. As a result, there has always been a strong feminist streak to St. Michael's. Learn more here....
Why is this particular church 'Lutheran' and what makes it so? This blog post introduces you to Martin Luther (after whom Martin Luther King Jr was named, btw!) The original Luther was a monk in the 16th century, who tried to reform the church. Unfortunately, between his often irate personality and the troubled church of the day, there was no place for cooperation and change, either way. Luther was thrown out, the western Christian church split into parts, and the rest is sad history. This short film uses my original photos from Germany to introduce you to the person and his story. I hope you enjoy it!
