Among Maine’s significant ethnic populations are the Finns, most of whom arrived around the turn of the 20th Century. Significant numbers established themselves in Franklin, Oxford and Waldo Counties. Like other cultures, the American Finnish have a strong desire to maintain and share important elements of their culture, such as their rich musical heritage.
The kantele is a traditional Finnish lap-harp with a 2000-year history rooted in the folklore of the “Kalevala,” the national epic of Finland. It exists today as an authentic instrument played in Finland’s schools, universities and concert halls. Not only is it a beautiful sounding instrument, but the Finns consider it to be one of the most important symbols of their culture.
In November 2000, a group of people met in the basement of the Lutheran Church in South Paris, Maine to learn how to play Ode to Joy on the kantele. For most, that Sunday afternoon, a spark of passion for the instrument ignited. From such a humble beginning, the Maine Kanteles was born. Originally, the intent for the group was not performance but to learn how to play the instrument. However, in June 2001, the Finnish American Heritage Society of Maine invited the kantele players to perform and loved what they heard. Since that time, the Maine Kanteles have maintained a regular performance schedule. Performance sites have included:
• New Year’s Bethel (Bethel, ME 2006, 2007)
• Andover Old Home Days (Andover, ME 2007)
• Family Arts Festival (Cumberland, ME 2006, 2007)
• St. Michael’s Finnish Lutheran Church (Montreal, Canada 2006)
• Arts and Cultural Festival (Fiddlehead Center for the Arts, New Gloucester, ME 2006, 2004)
• Boston Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA 2005)
• Ilomantsin Kanteleviikko, an annual kantele festival (Ilomantsi, Finland, 2004)
• St. Kieran Center for the Arts (Berlin, NH 2004)
• Finn Funn Weekend (Burlington, VT 2003)
• Festival of Nations-Multicultural event (Portland, ME 2003)
• Northern Forest Heritage Park (Berlin, NH 2003)
• Finlandia Foundation (Boston Chapter 2003,)
• Kevätjuhla or “Springtime Celebration” (Penobscot Language School, Rockland, ME 2002, 2003)
• Finn Funn Weekend (Rockland, ME 2002)
• Christmas in Our Town- Charitable fundraising event (South Paris, ME 2001)
• Finnish American Heritage Society of Maine (West Paris, ME 2001)
• Other events (weddings, funerals, church services, community organizations)
The Maine Kanteles is not a paid performance ensemble; all who play volunteer. Monies gained through performances go into promoting other Kantele Laulu Inc. activities. While some members of the Maine Kanteles are of Finnish heritage, many are not. All, however, are drawn to the music of the instrument and share interest in its cultural significance.
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