- Säkkijärven polkka
Säkkijärven polkka ("the Säkkijärvi
polka ") is a well-known folk tune from Finland, popular with Finnishaccordion ists to the extent that it can be called their national anthem. It was especially popularized by Viljo "Vili" Vesterinen (1907-1961). The tune was first recorded in Säkkijärvi (nowKondratyevo in theLeningrad Oblast ,Russia ), and the words sometimes sung to the tune point out that Säkkijärvi itself might have been lost, but that Finns could at least keep the polka.Military use
During the
Continuation War , the Finnish Army discovered that the retreating Soviets had scattered radio-controlled mines throughout the city ofViipuri . The mines were jammed by playing Vesterinen's polka on the same frequency ceaselessly for three days, draining the batteries of the mines and averting catastrophe.Other
"Säkkijärven polkka" is also the title of the eponymous film directed by
Viljo Salminen (1908-1992) in 1955.An electronic version of the song, titled "Hardcore of the North", appears in the music video game In The Groove.
External links
* [http://koti.mbnet.fi/jounir/Spolkka2.mid A MIDI of Säkkijärven polkka]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbvKs0mXxlw Säkkijärven polkka at YouTube]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NorgJ0zivAA Säkkijärven polkka at YouTube - Esa Pakarinen & Eemeli]
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