Diane and the Kanteles Arrive at Temperance Hall

Cokato Historical Groups Acquire Finnish Instruments through

Minnesota’s New Folk and Traditional Arts Program

Representatives of Cokato and the Cokato Finnish-American Historical Society welcomed internationally known kantele performer and teacher Diane Jarvi on September 21 at 7 pm at Temperance Hall (3 miles north of Cokato at County Roads 3 and 100) to kick-off Ancestral Fires: Songs and Stories of Finland and Finnish-America, an extended musical exploration of Minnesota’s Finnish culture and history. The project is one of only five selected for funding in the inaugural round of Minnesota’s new Folk and Traditional Arts program designed to support the artistic traditions and customs practiced within community and/or cultural groups by identifying, documenting, preserving, presenting, and honoring Minnesota’s folk arts and traditions.

A key part of Ancestral Fires is making authentic instruments available to the community. At the September 21 gathering Jarvi and project organizers New Bohemian Arts Cooperative presented fifteen new 5-string kanteles, specially commissioned from master kantele builder Gerry Henkel of Duluth. This collection of instruments is a gift to Cokato in order to establish an ongoing group of players and further the community’s connections to the culture of their ancestors.

The kantele is similar to a harp in some ways but has a compelling and unique sound. The original kantele had only 5 strings and was used to accompany the singing of traditional Finnish runes and stories, many from the Kalevala, Finland’s mythological folk epic. In the Kalevala it is said that a sage by the name of Väinämöinen made one of these instruments using the wood of a weeping birch and strung it with hair from a young maiden.

Cokato’s historical Temperance Hall, which continues to serve as a focal point of Finnish-American culture, is the site of next Tuesday’s community gathering. Temperance Hall is one of many Finn Halls that existed across the country from the late 1800s through the1950s. Finn Halls hosted a diverse range of educational, theatrical and musical activities and created a thriving social network for Finnish-Americans.

With several CD’s aired internationally, Jarvi is a respected singer, performer and teacher of authentic Finnish folk music and has studied the kantele at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. She is also a renowned performer and interpreter of World music, a contemporary songwriter and published poet. Speaking of her musical heritage Jarvi says, “All four of my grandparents emigrated from Finland to Minnesota at the beginning of the 20th century. When I perform and teach this music I am performing the music of my ancestors from that far off land–and also the music of Minnesota. I want to share Finnish-American stories with the community, find what connects us and how we can continue a cultural legacy. My goal is always to create music while building new traditions.”

From now until May, 2011 Diane Jarvi will offer kantele classes, demonstrations and workshops and be a guest at many community events hosted by the Cokato Finnish-American Historical Society and the Cokato Historical Society. Most activities are free and open to all ages. Specific dates and details will be announced.