Finnish studies professor shines spotlight on FinnU

February 28, 2023

Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen presenting during Kalevalathon 2023

Virtanen presenting during Kalevalathon 2023, a reading marathon of Finland’s national epic poem, the Kalevala.

Finlandia Associate Professor of Finnish & Nordic Studies Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen has been named co-editor of the Journal of Finnish Studies. Having worked on the journal’s editorial staff since 2009, Virtanen now shares co-editorship with renowned folklorist and scholar, Thomas A. DuBois.

In addition to her co-editorship, Virtanen highlighted Finlandia’s Finnish studies program further when her field-related work was featured in three PBS regional premieres last spring. Airing on PBS station WNMU-TV Marquette as part of their Festival! 22 pledge programming, the three documentary films featured Virtanen’s research and production-related work on Finnish American traditional arts in the Copper Country. The films were titled “Yooper Creoles: Finnish Music in Michigan’s Copper Country,” “Melvin Kangas: Kantele Man” and “Finnish American Rag Rug Weavers.”

“The journal and documentary work is an important opportunity to spotlight late FinnU professor Melvin Kangas and to provide paid work for a student as editorial assistant,” Virtanen said. “It is always a joy when I can use these works to provide benefits to our academic community beyond myself.”

This week, Virtanen hosted the 5th annual reading of The Kalevala, Finland’s national epic poem. The event, called Kalevalathon, witnessed hundreds of patrons tune in from all parts of the world.

To learn more about the Finnish & Nordic Studies program at Finlandia University, visit finlandia.edu/finnishandnordicstudies.

Finnish studies professor shines spotlight on FinnU

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