Heikki Lunta
Encyclopedia
Heikki Lunta is the embodiment of the Finnish snow god character, who originated in the mythology of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
.
The character of Heikki Lunta is a product of the heavy Finnish-American presence in Michigan's Upper Peninsula combined with a tremendous annual snowfall.
in English) in 1970. When an upcoming snowmobile race hosted by the Range Snowmobile Club of Atlantic Mine, Michigan was endangered by the lack of snowfall, Riutta, a worker at WMPL
in Hancock
, aired the "Heikki Lunta Snowdance Song." The song goes on to ask "Heikki Lunta," the Finnish snow god, for snow in time for the race. According to local tales, the snow fell and fell, until there was too much. People were superstitious that Riutta's song had caused too much snow for the race, so in response to public outcry, Riutta recorded a separate track entitled, "Heikki Lunta Go Away." The 45 showcased each song on alternate sides.
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
.
The character of Heikki Lunta is a product of the heavy Finnish-American presence in Michigan's Upper Peninsula combined with a tremendous annual snowfall.
History
David Riutta created "Heikki Lunta" (the name translates to Hank SnowHank Snow
Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was a Canadian-American country music artist. He charted more than 70 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980...
in English) in 1970. When an upcoming snowmobile race hosted by the Range Snowmobile Club of Atlantic Mine, Michigan was endangered by the lack of snowfall, Riutta, a worker at WMPL
WMPL
WMPL is an AM radio station located in Hancock, Michigan which broadcasts a talk radio format during the day and a sports radio format at night. WMPL also carries broadcasts of local high school football, basketball, and hockey games....
in Hancock
Hancock, Michigan
Hancock is a city in Houghton County; the northernmost in the U.S. state of Michigan, located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, or, depending on terminology, Copper Island. The population was 4,634 at the 2010 census...
, aired the "Heikki Lunta Snowdance Song." The song goes on to ask "Heikki Lunta," the Finnish snow god, for snow in time for the race. According to local tales, the snow fell and fell, until there was too much. People were superstitious that Riutta's song had caused too much snow for the race, so in response to public outcry, Riutta recorded a separate track entitled, "Heikki Lunta Go Away." The 45 showcased each song on alternate sides.
External links
- Not Just Talking About the Weather: Tradition, Social Change and Heikki Lunta, Hilary Virtanen
- Heikki Lunta (song), lyrics from Da YoopersDa YoopersDa Yoopers is a traveling comedy show and musical group from Ishpeming, Mich. They are known primarily for their humorous songs and skits, most of which center around life in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...
1991 release, "Yoopy do Wah" - Heikki Lunta - A Modern Copper Country Folk Hero, Jim Kurtti