The health, safety and well-being of our community members is very important to us.

We regret to inform you that owing to the current situation with COVID-19,

Celebration of Finnish Independence – Featured Lives

has been postponed until further notice.

Once conditions permit, we will be in touch with further information about the possible rescheduling of this event.

In the meantime, please accept our apologies and our best wishes for your continued health and wellbeing.

You are invited to CFF’s Celebration of Finnish Independence on Saturday, December 4, 2021. This year the annual, highly anticipated celebration features two highlights, a Piano Recital repeat performance by Toronto piano artist Olga Nechepurenko and a lecture by Kaarina Brooks “Translating Kalevala.”

Kaarina Brooks’ publication of a new translation into English of the Kalevala is indeed an historic event; the latest previous translation is from 1989. To the extent possible, Kaarina’s translation employs poetic solutions used consistently in the original Finnish. Kaarina feels particularly strongly that the Kalevala is most essentially defined by the unique Kalevala metre. Yet only one of the five earlier translations into English uses the Kalevala metre! Kaarina’s translation also honors, with great reverence, the requirement that the lines of the Kalevala be not only singable but singable to the traditional five-note Kalevala tune. 

We hope this will be held in-person, but please hold the date. More info will follow.

Looking forward to a unique experience. Welcome.