A memorial to Hiski Salomaa

A memorial to the couplet singer and songwriter Hiski Salomaa was founded in the Tradition Park Pirtin Perinnepuisto in 2009 at the initiative of local theatre group Ilona. The memorial is made from local materials by sculptor Juhani Saksa.

Hiski Salomaa birthplace memorial

The birthplace memorial of the well-known songwriter Hiski Salomaa is located by Luusniementie.

Hiski Salomaa (born as Hiskias Möttö) was born in Luusniemi in the Tipsalo cottage as the son of his unmarried mother Anni-Leena Möttö, who was the village’s tailor.

Hiski learned the profession of tailoring early from his mother, visiting clients with her. The dark-haired, energetic Hiski used to write songs of the local people and events and sing them while working and in the evenings in the village.

Hiski’s mother died when he was 17 and he, along with some of his friends, moved to the United States, where he continued the profession of tailoring in several states. He lived, for example, in Michigan, Minnesota, Seattle and New York City.

After marrying Aini Saari, originally from Vehmaa near Turku, Hiski had his own tailoring business for a while and was also involved in restaurant business on Rhode Island. He continued songwriting, soon becoming a well-known performer among the Finns. Hiski’s humorous songs, imitation and mesmerizing stage performance made him the most popular Finnish singer in America.

Music was always strongly present in Hiski’s life and he signed a recording contract with Columbia in the US. Hiski’s best known songs include Lännen Lokari and Iitin Tiltu.

Hiski Salomaa died in 1957, 4 years after his wife. Over 50 years later, his music continues to live on!

Enquiries:

Kangasniemi Tourist Information
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