The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

“In the beginning there were the swamp, the hoe--and Jussi.” Thus begins a fictional historical trilogy, written in Finnish 1959-1962 and translated into English by Richard Impola in 2001. Part one covers the years 1884-1907. “To understand Finland and the Finns one needs only read one book: Under the North Star by Väinö Linna," states Esko Aho.

Jussi Koskela is a tenant farmer on the parsonage estate in the rural village of Pentti’s Corner in south central Finland. He lives there with his wife and three sons struggling to turn wilderness swampland into productive land. At this same time, Finland is becoming more secularized, socialist thought is becoming more popular, and the labor movement is gaining momentum. National newspapers such as Suometar, The Worker (Työmies), and the People’s Journal (Kansan Lehti) are gaining readership. The Russian Czar, meanwhile, is attempting to curb the Finns’ “nation building.” Tension increases between tenants and land owners. Jussi's son, Akseli, becomes an active socialist. In addition, the upper classes are upset with language strife and their homeland’s relationship with Russia. The trilogy has been considered the most significant novel published in Finland between 1917 and 1997. It won the Nordic Prize for Literature in 1965.

In 2009, a new film adaption was produced in Finland. The screenplay was written by Timo Koivusalo who also produced the film. Stars are Ilkka Koivula, Vera Kiiskinen, and Risto Tuorila. It was nominated for five Jussi (equivalent of Oscars) awards the following year: Best Film, two Supporting Actors (Heikki Nousianinen, Esko Roine), Best Supporting Actress (Miia Selin), and Costume Design (Leila Jäntti),

Part one of this film is being shown at the Appelo Archives Center, 1056 SR 4, in Naselle, on September 29, at 10:30 a.m. There is no admission charge, but donations of $5 are recommended. The film is 193 minutes, is in Finnish with English subtitles. It is not recommended for children due to sex and nudity, violence and gore, frightening/intense scenes, profanity, alcohol/drugs/smoking.