finnishhall

The FinnishHall has worked to serve the goals of both immigrants and those seeking a greater level of connection with their Finnish heritage and cultural practices. Lodge 21 is the second largest lodge in the United Finnish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters. Activities at the FinnishHall have included stage plays, dances, orchestra, choruses, folk dancing, lending library, public dances, concerts, voting for Finnish nationals, movies and benefits. Berkeley Lodge 21 has sponsored many dramatized readings of Finnish stage plays in English translation, arts shows and poetry readings, plus, the lodge has hosted many performance groups from Finland and Finnish-America. The Finland School for young children of newer members (Suomi Koulu) also meets bi-monthly at the hall.

Some of the lodge's biggest events include the Bay Area’s Finnish Independence Day Celebration on the first Sunday of December and the annual May Day (Vappu) Dances (pictured above) and Celebrations.