History and stories

July

Kihniö Day

Kihniö Day has been celebrated every other year since 2011 (alternating with the Entrepreneurs' Summer Fair). Kihniö Day is usually held on the first or second weekend of July.

Kihniö Municipality's educational services, Kihniö Association and village associations are responsible for organizing Kihniö Day in turn.

On Kihniö Day, an honorary citizen of Kihniö, Hillopieksu, is elected. The Hillopieksu is elected by vote. The election is organized by the Kihniö Society. The name is given as a reward for meritorious work done for Kihniö. The Kihniö Day program usually also includes musical performances and ceremonial speeches.

Elect

1986 Tauno Mustaniemi

1987 Tarmo Markkula

1988 Juho Hietanen

1989 Kaarlo Toimi

1990 Martti Risku

1991 Lea Padjas

1992 Sulo Porrassalmi

1993 Sister from Lahden

1994 Aino Matikainen

1995 Eva Toimi

1996 Airi Yli-Knuuttila

1997 Urho Savolainen

1998 Arvo Hirvikoski

1999 Mika Sundqvist

2000 Rauno Yli-Knuuttila

2001 Herman Haapamäki

2002 Pentti Palolahti

2003 Ritva Markkola

2004 Aaro Jokioja

2005 Alpo Kivistö

2006 Mauri Matalamäki

2007 Irja Keskinen

2008 Martti Leppälä

2009 Ulla Kuusisto

2010 Mauri Pihlajamaa

2011 Lea Mäkipaä

2013 Seppo Jaskari

2015 Jorma Matikainen

2017 Kosti Kuusisto

2019 Far April

2021 Tapani Törmä

2023 Leena Pihlajamaa

The word pieksu means an ancient single-soled shoe with a lacing system. The model is the same as that of the Lapps and is also closely related to the Native American moccasins. The upper of the pieksu continued into an upper, which was tightened around the ankle with a lacing system (i.e., a lace).

In the mid-1700th century, people in Finland wore straw shoes, and in winter, leather boots. At that time, markets were in large cities, and people walked to the markets from Northern Satakunta. Shoes were worn out. Men from Ikaali were mocked in the markets as "loose-heeled" because their cowhide boots had the fur side exposed.

Kihniö belonged to Ikaalis in the 1700th century, so the derogatory name also referred to market men from Kihniö. Eventually, that derogatory name changed to "Kihniö jam pieks", because the pies of Kihniö were very thick, or jam-like. (Edited by Ulla Kuusisto from UTSirelius's writing in 1921).

National Veterans Day

National Veterans Day is celebrated on April 27. In Kihniö, the municipal cultural department is responsible for organizing Veterans Day together with the Kihniö Evangelical Lutheran congregation.

The Veterans Day celebration includes a church service and a coffee party, where the guests of honor are veterans of our wars.

National Veterans Day is an official flag-raising day. National Veterans Day was first celebrated on April 27, 1987, as part of the 70th anniversary of Finland's independence. The proposal for a National Veterans Day was made by the Advisory Board for War Veterans Affairs, which was confirmed on the proposal of the Government.

April 27, 1945 is the end date of the Lapland War.

National Veterans Day is not celebrated as a victory celebration, but has a more general, even more peaceful nature than Memorial Day.

December

Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated on December 6. The municipal educational services and the Kihniö Evangelical Lutheran parish are responsible for organizing the celebration.

Program:

Church service. Wreath laying. Coffee break, celebratory speech and musical performances.