Finnish American Heritage Center to be featured in TV6’s “A Finnish Christmas”

The roots of Finnish heritage in the Upper Peninsula will be explored in a program called “A Finnish Christmas” this holiday season on TV6 and Fox U.P.

The program features host Walt Lindala who talks to Jim Kurtti from the Finnish American Heritage Center at Finlandia University in Hancock and Tanya Stanaway, a musician and Finnish language teacher from Ishpeming. The program will air on Fox U.P. on Thursday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m., and on TV6 on Christmas Day at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. It will also be livestreamed on UpperMichigansSource.com at those times.

Along with a look at a Finnish Christmas in the U.P., Stanaway, Kurtti and Lindala also talk about their childhood Christmas memories.

“Finnish culture is a big part of the U.P., and there are many people here, both Finns and not, who want to know more about Finnish traditions around the holidays,” said Lindala. “This show will give people an idea of the Finnish approach to Christmas and how it’s celebrated. I want people who watch the show to get the meaning and sentiment of a Finnish Christmas. It’s a bit different from how it’s celebrated in America, and through the stories and memories shared in this show, I know we show that.”

“This is part of our continuing effort to bring relevant local programming to our viewers,” said Rick Rhoades, Vice President/General Manager of TV6. “A Finnish Christmas” is an example of our goal to serve the people of the U.P. with programming that speaks to the local population.  The Finnish heritage is an integral part of U.P. life, and we are pleased to be able to show that with this program.”