Probably the most popular Finnish fiddle tune, a polkka (Finnish), is Säkkijärven polkka, according to Finnish button accordion player and Finnish Dance Music historian and ethnographer Richard Koski. Richard writes, “Russia invaded Finland in November 1939. When the Finns beat back the Russians, the Russians left behind radio controlled mines. The Finns played Säkkijärven polkka over the radio about 1,500 times whereby its frequencies would confuse and defeat the Russian mines. This Winter War ended in March 1940… As a result of the peace treaty, Finland retained ts sovereignty, but ceded 9% of its eastern territory to the Soviet Union.” Richard’s new book of fiddle tunes, Finnish Dance Music of the Finger Lakes of New York State, includes numerous area references to the Finnish community, past and present, from the lower Finger Lakes area of Central New York.
Finger Lakes
Tonia Loran-Galban
Tonia Loran-Galban (Mohawk, Bear Clan) resides in Farmington, New York and is a Haudenosaunee Culture Bearer. She is a native traditional basket maker who has worked at Ganondagan State Historic Site (site of a 17thcentury Seneca Town) in Victor, NY as a Senior...
Sankta Lucia, med ljus i hår
The celebration of Lucia as it is celebrated by the Swedish American community of Rochester, NY.
Spiedies, Grape Pies, and Garbage Plates (Oh MY!): A Serious Look at Upstate New York’s Silly-Sounding Foods
Spiedies, Grape Pies, and Garbage Plates are three unique foodways traditions chronocled by the author.
Upstate New York’s Irish Music Archive
An essay by Ted McGraw about his ongoing radio show, and the resulting collection of Irish music – one of the largest private collections of Irish music in the world.
Foodways
The author shares observations as a participant in a foodways presentation.
Fruit in the Forest Foraging Apples and Pressing Cider in the Finger Lakes
A research based article about the craft cider business in New York and the regional practice of cider pressing gatherings.