Matti Kurikka

Matti Kurikka (January 24, 1863 Maloye Karlino, Tsarskoselsky Uyezd, Saint Petersburg Governorate, historical Ingria – October 4, 1915 Westerly, Rhode Island, United States) was a Finnish journalist, theosophist, and utopian socialist.

As editor of Wiipurin Sanomat, Kurikka was initially influenced by the Young Finns' political movement, later moving towards Christian socialism.

[2][3][4] Sointula dissolved as a utopian colony in 1905 due to financial difficulties and a devastating fire,[5] but continued as a fishing and logging-based community.

Kurikka had attempted to found utopian communities in Chillagoe, Queensland, Australia,[6] and in Canada prior to Sointula.

[7] Shortly before his own death, Matti Kurikka delivered the eulogy at Finnish revolutionary Johan Kock's funeral.