Sylvi Kekkonen | |
---|---|
![]() Sylvi Kekkonen in 1961 | |
Born | Sylvia Salome Uino 12 March 1900 |
Died | 2 December 1974 | (aged 74)
Occupation | Writer |
Known for | First Lady of Finland (1956 — her death) |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 (twins): Matti, Taneli |
Sylvi Kekkonen ( née Uino; 12 March 1900 — 2 December 1974) was a Finnish writer and the longest-serving First Lady of Finland. [1]
Sylvi Uino was born to a middle-class family, as the fourth child of a chaplain (later vicar), Kauno Uino, and Emilia Salome née Stenberg. [2] [3]
After her father's death, the family moved to Mikkeli, where she went to school. She later moved to Helsinki with the intention of studying law, but dropped out and took a job instead. [3]
In 1926, she married Urho Kekkonen; they had met while working at a central law enforcement agency Etsivä keskuspoliisi (now the Finnish Security Intelligence Service). [3] Two years later, the couple had twin sons, Matti and Taneli. [2]
She was a small and fragile person physically, but known for her strength of character. [4] [5]
She died at Meilahti Tower Hospital on 2 December 1974.
Sylvi Kekkonen considered her main duty as the First Lady to support her husband, the President. [1] [5]
She was also active as a patron of various events and other initiatives, [1] although in later life her health deteriorated and she was forced to cut down on her public appearances. [5]
She is the longest-serving First Lady, with 18 years in the role, and is likely to remain so as the tenure of Presidents of Finland is now limited to a maximum of two consecutive six-year-terms. [6]
Kekkonen's main literary output comprises two novels, Käytävä (1955) and Amalia (1958); and two short story collections, Kotikaivolla (1952) and the autobiographical Lankkuaidan suojassa (1968) which is considered to be her best in literary terms. [5] [3] Of these, Amalia was translated into eight languages. [7]
Her writing often deals with impressionist themes and juvenile perspectives. [1]
She also wrote essays; her debut publication, Kiteitä (1949), was an essay collection. [3]
She is also known to have edited and critiqued many of her husband's writings. [7] [5]
To commemorate her, an annual literary symposium, Sylvi Symposiumi, has been held since 2000 in Pieksämäki, [3] where there is also a park named after her. [8]