Veikko Koskenniemi
Humanist of the day

Veikko Koskenniemi

The poet Veikko Antero Koskenniemi is principally remembered by Finns for the lyrics written in 1940 to Sibelius’ hymn Finlandia. This commission was not however Koskenniemi’s key to fame: the poems published in the 1910s had already established him as a firm favourite among Finnish readers. He also worked as a literary critic and editor-in-chief of several journals. He was professor, vice-rector and rector at the University of Turku.

Veikko Koskenniemi

Veikko Antero Koskenniemi (previously Forsnäs)
Born 8 July, 1885, Oulu. Died 4 August, 1962, Turku

Master of Arts 1907, Imperial Alexander University

Assistant 1905, Uusi Suomi newspaper (previously Suometar)
Editor-in-chief: Uusi Päivä newspaper, 1917–1918; Iltalehti newspaper, 1918–1919; and Aika journal 1912–1921
Professor of Finnish Literature and Literary History, 1921–1948, University of Turku
Vice-rector 1923–1924, Rector 1924–1932, University of Turku

Member of the Academy of Finland, 1948–1955

Photo: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura
Written by Tero Juutilainen
Translated by John Calton

Alumnus of three cities

Veikko Antero Koskenniemi was born in Oulu in 1885. There was a large age difference between his parents, and this was partly reflected in young Veiko’s upbringing. His father died when Koskenniemi was only a couple of years old and after this he grew up in female-dominated company. His father’s surname was Forsnäs but during his schooldays, and along with many other Finns with Swedish surnames, Koskenniemi translated it into Finnish.

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Finland's poet and patriot

The themes in Veikko Antero Koskeniemi’s poems and writing vary over the years and reflect well the stage in his life when they were written, although offering a slightly one-sided view. The publication of poetry collections was a common feature of his production as a recently-graduated young man, while in the 1920s and 30s he moved toward more academic monographs. In the post-war years, from the professorship until after his retirement, it was once again time to concentrate his efforts on the world of poetry.

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