Juhannus, also known as St. John’s Day or Midsummer, is a tradition going back centuries in Finland. In the old days, it was celebrated on the first day of summer to ward off evil spirits and ensure good crops and fertility. A bonfire, or kokko, was always burned as part of the celebration. The tradition continues today in all Finnish communities, but mainly for the purpose of people getting together to have a good time. Here in our Finger Lakes Finnish community, we get together near the first day of summer for an outside picnic with food, live music, games, and a huge bonfire after dark.
Ruth Luoma Makie recalled a Juhannus celebration near Trumansburg in 1926:
“They had all kinds of food and the program. Lempi Niemi and I always used to get hoodwinked into putting something on for the program. We used to get up there and sing and recite poetry or something. I remember at one place we stood on a stump and did our recitation. Some people would play accordions, and Wayne Makie used to play the violin.”
This section is excerpted from Finnish Dance Tunes of the Finger Lakes, by Richard Koski, Michael Ludgate, and Katrina Mackey.
The performances by Metku of Pohjanmaan Jenkka (Northland Schottische), Laurin Sottiisi (Lauri’s Schottische), Renki Jussi (Hired Man John), and Sillälailla Tällälailla (This Way, That Way) were recorded at the Finger Lakes Finns’ 2022 Juhannus Gathering at Keturi’s Green Acres in Van Etten, New York. This group is made up of Richard Koski on diatonic button accordion, Michael Ludgate on mandolin, Katrina Mackey on fiddle, Phil Robinson on guitar, and Jeff Sauer on bass. These videos were produced by Richard’s son, Jason Koski.
Inspired by their Finnish heritage, Michael Ludgate (mandolin, kantele, banjo) and Katrina Mackey (fiddle, flute) formed Metku to learn more about traditional Finnish music and dance. They are often joined by Philip Robinson on guitar and master accordionist, Richard Koski, who has played Finnish-American folk music since 1970.
Metku Quartet features Richard Koski on accordion, Katrina Mackey on Fiddle, Michael Ludgate on Mandolin and Phil Robinson on guitar. They play Finnish and Finnish American dance tunes from the Finger Lakes.
Inspired by their Finnish heritage, Michael Ludgate (mandolin, kantele, banjo) and Katrina Mackey (fiddle, flute) formed Metku to learn more about traditional Finnish music and dance. They are often joined by Philip Robinson on guitar and master accordionist, Richard Koski, who has played Finnish-American folk music since 1970.
Metku Quartet features Richard Koski on accordion, Katrina Mackey on Fiddle, Michael Ludgate on Mandolin and Phil Robinson on guitar. They play Finnish and Finnish American dance tunes from the Finger Lakes.
