Foundation stone laid for new museum at Finnskog Festival celebrating Forest Finn culture

The foundation stone for a new museum was laid down during the opening of the Finnskog Festival on Friday. This event marked a significant milestone for both the Forest Finns and the entire Glåmdal region. The stone originated from Rantala, where a family stone stands on Røgden with 431 Finnish family names.

Erling Sande, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, had the honor of laying the foundation stone with Grue’s mayor, board chairman Anders Jan Larsson, and youth representative Anne Marie Moen. This year’s festival, which has been held annually since the 1970s, is expected to attract hundreds of visitors.

The festival celebrates the independent culture and traditions of the Forest Finns, who migrated from Finland to the region as far back as the 1600s. For three days, Even Wiger will act as the prime minister of the festival, promising a great turnout and expressing excitement for the event.

The minister noted the importance of preserving one’s own history. He believes the museum will ensure future generations can learn about the Forest Finn culture. He praised the efforts made to establish the museum and create the activities surrounding the Finnskog Festival.

The Forest Finns are a forest area in the Inland county, along the border with Sweden, divided into several areas belonging to different municipalities. The name comes from the Finns who cleared and settled the area from around 1570, with the highest immigration in the 1620s and 1640s. Finnish language, building traditions, and way of life persisted in the area for over 250 years. Although the Finnish language is now nearly extinct in the area, Finnish place names and cultural heritage are still present.