The Säkkijärven polkka (say: "SACK-key-yair-ven POLK-kah") is a Finnish polka performed by Finnish accordionists. It is originally based on three folk tunes from the historical district of Säkkijärvi (from which the name of this song is derived). The song was replicated for the first time on records by Willy Larsen, a Norwegian-American accordionist, in 1928; though the tune is truly known thanks to Viljo "Vili" Vesterinen, a Finnish accordionist. Others have also popularized the song.[1]
History[]
In the early 1940s during the Continuation War, a war in which the Finns fought alongside the Nazis against the Soviets, the Finnish Army found that the Soviets had scattered mines all over the re-captured city of Viipuri (Vyborg). These mines exploded when a three-note chord was played on a radio; each mine had three tuning forks that kept changing at specific frequencies of each mine. At first, the Finns thought the explosions were strange and startled them. In 1941, pioneers found triggers of a 600 kg (1,324 lb) explosive charge installed under a bridge. They were quickly brought to the Communications Department, which then ordered the devices be brought to Helsinki urgently. Eventually, they were investigated and dismantled. It was discovered that the mines had been scattered throughout the city, and that the Soviets were responsible.[2][3][4][5][6]
References[]
- ↑ Tamminen, Toivo (1993). "Tarina siitä, miten polkka tuli Amerikan kautta Suomeen". Hanuri-lehti. 21 (3): 16–19.
- ↑ Eero-Eetu Saarinen: Pioneeriaselajin historia 1918–1968, 300–303
- ↑ Vesterinen, Jukka: ”Säkkijärven polkka”, Ottoautot talvi- ja jatkosodassa: siviiliajoneuvojen pakko-otto rintamakäyttöön, s. 88,90. Helsinki: Alfamer, 2007. ISBN 978-952-472-074-8.
- ↑ Pohjanpalo, Jouko. "Säkkijärven polkkaa Viipurissa". Viestimies. February 1952.
- ↑ Alkio, S. I.: Professori Jouko Pohjanpalo. Teknillinen aikakauslehti, joulukuu 1966, 56. vsk, nro 12, s. 45–49. Helsinki: Suomen teknillinen seura.
- ↑ Kuisma, Jouko. "Lisätietoja Viipurin radiomiinoista". RADIOT, Radiohistoriallinen kausijulkaisu. April 2008. Suomen radiohistoriallinen seura Ry. ISSN 1796-2188.