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]
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]
Writing career
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]
