Building That Bright Future: Soviet Karelia in the Life Writing of Finnish North Americans

In the early 1930s, 6,500 Finns from Canada and the United States moved to Soviet Karelia to build a Finnish workers society. However, Finnish culture and language came under attack, and ethnic Finns became the primary targets of the Stalinist Great Terror. Building That Bright Future explores the personal letters and memoirs of these Finnish migrants to provide a history of everyday life during a transitional period for both North American socialism and Soviet policy. The book highlights the voices of men, women, and children and follows the migrants from North America to the Soviet Union, providing vivid descriptions of daily life. It also explores the strategies these migrants used to make sense of their rapidly shifting positions in the Soviet hierarchy and the relationships that rooted them to multiple places and times.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 14 July 2022
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

In the early 1930s, a remarkable migration unfolded as approximately 6,500 Finns from Canada and the United States ventured to Soviet Karelia, situated on the border of Finland. Their arrival was orchestrated by the Soviet leadership, who recognized their valuable skills in mechanical and lumber expertise, their familiarity with the socialist cause, and their strong connection to Finnish culture and language. The vision was to establish a Finnish workers society in this region.

However, the situation took a drastic turn by 1936. Finnish culture and language faced relentless attack, and ethnic Finns became the primary targets of the Stalinist Great Terror. This period marked a significant shift in the fortunes of the Finnish migrants, as they found themselves caught in the crosshairs of a repressive regime.

Building That Bright Future, a captivating book, is built upon the personal letters and memoirs of these Finnish migrants. Through these narratives, the author weaves a rich history of everyday life during a transitional period for both North American socialism and Soviet policy. The book delves into the experiences of men, women, and children, offering vivid descriptions of their journey from North America to the Soviet Union. It provides a unique perspective on the lives of these migrants, shedding light on their complex negotiations of self and belonging.

Samira Saramo, the author, skillfully brings readers into personal contact with Finnish North Americans. Through her meticulous research and storytelling, she unravels the intricate web of relationships that bound these migrants to multiple places and times. The book explores the diverse strategies employed by these migrants to navigate their rapidly shifting positions within the Soviet hierarchy. It sheds light on the complexities of their identities, their relationships with family and friends, and their struggles to adapt to a new cultural and political landscape.

Building That Bright Future offers a profound exploration of the human experience during times of upheaval and change. It serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Finnish migrants who, despite facing immense challenges, sought to build a better future for themselves and their communities. The book provides valuable insights into the complexities of migration, identity, and the search for a sense of belonging in a rapidly evolving world.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 235 x 157 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487504809