Penedo doesn't have an official flag, but I made myself the flag above. Which is the flag of Finland and in the centre, the birds that represent the Finnish immigration to Rio de Janeiro. The birds were taken from the monument build by Ville Virkkilä in the ocasion of the 50th anniversary of the Finnish immigration to Penedo.
Local: Penedo
City: Itatiaia
State: Rio de Janeiro
Country: Brazil
Extras
My Commentary: There were some very interesting facts happening in the past of Penedo, facts that haven't happened anywhere else in Brazil. Penedo was a Finnish colony and the motivation and progress of this story are unique. As typical in Brazil, politicians and people don't care about this piece of the History and the only connection of Penedo with Finland nowadays is by some restaurants, a culture club and a museum. All the rest that is done there and takes the Finnish theme is pure tourism and capitalist initiatives (again: better than nothing).
Links:
Interesting Facts:
- Toivo Uuskallio was the man who had the idea of immigrating. He did that moved by religious reasons, he wanted to go to a tropical place, which would help him to create a paradise-like community.
- During the World War II, when Brazil took side with the allies, the Finnish people in Penedo couldn't speak Finnish nor make their celebrations.
- A free-download music compilation of rock and metal bands was produced by CYBER10 with the name of "Metal Storm - Finland Brazil" with bands from Finland and Brazil in tribute to the Finnish immigration to Penedo (also considering that Metal is very popular in Finland).
- The utopian community planned by Toivo Uuskallio had Christian principles but when the community was over, some of those principles seem to have been lost with it because many Finnish people and descendants started to deal with Spiritism.
History of Penedo: Penedo, a small village, located right next to Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, became the first true Finnish settlement Finnish immigrants in 1929. The founder of the settlement, Toivo Uuskallio, settled with but a small group of like-minded countrymen aiming to build a community that would live an idealistically prosaic, peaceful torwards nature, and with precepts that included a strict vegan diet, with no foods of animal origin. He arrived in the city of Rio de Janeiro with his wife Liisa. Considering the virgin land of the Itatiaia valley at the time, stating that both he and his wife were marveled with the lush natural beauty of the state, Uuskallio agreed to the government into settling fellow Finnish people in the Itatiaia valley in assigned lands, partof the pro-immigrant plans of the Brazilian government at that time. After taking Portuguese lessons (reportedly at Berlitz), he ended up going by train to the nearby town Barra Mansa, from where he started the exploration and mapping of the region, visiting farms and properties in Rio and neighboring states as means to understand the local farming process and style.
He finally visited Fazenda Penedo, then owned by the São Bento Monastery. With 3,500 hectares, it was crisscrossed by fresh water springs and rivers, that were distributed along several altitudes. He could use the large Casa Grande, the main house in the farm, to accommodate his group. He envisioned that the area would allow them to grow both European and tropical flora. He was not aware that the former use of the farm as a coffee plantation had basically drained the most substantial nutrients from the soil, and that saúva ants were to cut the plants. In 1929, he purchased the property, and a second group of settlers arrived. After working on the land, they were finally able to plant corn, yams, bananas, flowers, and loofah. By 1935, most settlers had their own individual houses. Women took care of the laundry, cooking and vegetable gardens, while men tended the earth, planted and negotiated the crops. Many of the settlers did not adapt well to the new country, and returned home to Finland. When things got ugly with World War II some of them came back to Brazil. The strict vegan philosophy was no longer prevalent, though, and fowl, pig and dairy farming were gradually introduced. Tourism became an alternative. Liisa Uuskallio was the pioneer, using the spacious Casa Grande. Penedo is where Brazilians were introduced to the Finnish sauna. Guests could enjoy the healthy lifestyle, delicious food and fresh-baked breads, and relax in the river. Clube Finlandês opened doors in 1943. Massages and treatments were incorporated into the attractions for visitors. It could be considered the grandfather of today's spas. In 1970, electricity reached the village, and 1980 the first phones were installed.
The Scandinavian style of the houses has been preserved, and the village has kept its European charm. With a number of talented local artisans, handcraft and carpets (Ryijy and Raanu) are offered in local stores for very attractive prices. Decorative candles, hand-woven blankets and throws are also part of the Finnish legacy. As the descendants of the immigrants stopped growing loofah in the 70's, the traditional bathing gloves, sandals, dolls and other items are no longer available. To compensate, food specialities such as fruit preserves, chutney, home-made chocolates and ice cream became well known for their excellent quality. In addition to nature lovers and gourmets, Penedo is popular with adventure seekers. Rappelling, mountaineering and horseback riding are some of the most sought options from tourists. (Wikipedia)
My Photos in Penedo
My trip to Penedo in 2011
My Commentary: This was my first time in Penedo. I was curious about it because I learned it was the only Finnish colony in Brazil and the story of this quest for a settlement was even more intriguing. Once in Penedo, I saw many mentions to Finland, something I won't see anywhere else in Brazil, but at the same time I got to know that the Finnish culture there is really dying.
Near Pequena Finlândia
Near Pequena Finlândia
Pequena Finlândia: My sister and I
Pequena Finlândia: Penedon Aitta
Pequena Finlândia: "Brincou, Pagou" = "You played, you pay"
Waterfalls of Penedo: Me and my brother
Koskenkorva Restaurant: Sedutora culinária feita por dois vikings (Seducing cooking made by two vikings)
Koskenkorva Restaurant: Martti Vartia art exposition
Koskenkorva Restaurant: Martti Vartia art exposition
Koskenkorva Restaurant: Martti Vartia art exposition
Koskenkorva Restaurant: Martti Vartia art exposition
Café Finlandês (Finnish Coffee - suomen kahvi)
Next to Café Finlandês (Finnish Coffee - suomen kahvi)
Banner of Eva Hilden Finnish Museum in Penedo
Casa do Chocolate Suklaatalo: A verdadeira fábrica de chocolate
A fast visit to Visconde de Mauá
A fast visit to Visconde de Mauá
A fast visit to Visconde de Mauá
A fast visit to Visconde de Mauá
Penedo traffic sign: "Acostamento da rodovia não é serventia da casa" = "the shoulders are not for free use" All illegal material set will be removed by DER-RJ
Kantele snacks at Shopping Penedo
Roteiro Finlandês de Penedo - Penedo's Finnish Route
Jyväskylä - The Chocolate of the Finnish Colony
My Trip To Penedo in July 2013
My Commentary: Getting back to Penedo, the Finnish colony in Rio de Janeiro, I could know it a little better because I had the opportunity to visit the museum and see the dance at Clube Finlândia, apart of eating once again at Koskenkorva restaurant.
Eva Hilden Finnish Museum in Penedo: Suomi Brasilia Seura
Pequena Finlândia shopping centre
Pequena Finlândia shopping centre
Pequena Finlândia shopping centre
Pequena Finlândia shopping centre: Karjalankatu (Rua Carélia)
Pequena Finlândia shopping centre
Banner announcing the Finnish dance at Clube Finlândia in Penedo
Flags of Finland, Brazil and Germany
Clube Finlândia in Penedo: Helena Hilden (curator of the Finnish Museum Eva Hilden), her husband, me and Martti Vartia (owner of Koskenkorva restaurant)
My Photos in Penedo 2015
Part of: Trip: Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis and Penedo
Part of: Trip: Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis and Penedo
It wasn't my first visit to Penedo, we stayed just a few hours for lunch and it was raining, so this is the reason for the lack of numerous pictures. In my other visits to this town I could take a lot of pictures and explore the elements of Finland that are still there brought by the immigrants of the colony of Toivo Uuskallio.
On the way to Penedo
Eating at the Scandinavian restaurant Koskenkorva
Food at Koskenkorva restaurant
Flags of Finland, Brazil and State of Rio de Janeiro at Pequena Finlândia
Stores at Pequena Finlândia
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