HEINÄKUU / JULY 2024

The Most Important Source of Support for Finnish Culture in the United States

Photo by Joanna Chopp

Did you know...

...that one FinnFest attendee will win a roundtrip Finnair flight to Finland?

FinnFest, July 24-28 in Duluth, is packed with surprises, from seminars and tours to lectures, entertainment, shopping for imports and delicious Finnish food.

Purchase a pass to FinnFest before July 17 and enjoy a discounted rate PLUS have a chance to win a roundtrip flight to Finland via Finnair!

~ Special pricing on the 5-Day Festival Pass

~ 5-Day & 1-Day FinnFest Pass purchased before July 17 will qualify for the drawing

~ The winner will be announced at FinnFest on Sunday, July 28

~ The free flight is valid until August 31, 2025

CLICK FOR FINNFEST DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

Finlandia Foundation is excited to be a sponsor of this dynamic Nordic experience. To see what we're doing in Duluth click:

FFN @ FINNFEST

Greetings:

Anyone who has anything to do with Finland knows that July is time for summer holidays.

Generally, at this time of year, many people in Finland are off work. Some enjoy time with family, some travel for their vacations and many go to their cabin—or mökki—out of town to enjoy sauna, the lake or the ocean. It is truly just "time away."

At FFN, we, too are packing our bags to head to the lake—the shores of Lake Superior, to be exact. Not to enjoy time in the cabin, but in the DECC in Duluth for FinnFest 2024!

It has been hard to miss our promotion this year—we will be there in full force as a proud sponsor. We look forward to seeing you at our booth at the tori, at our Saving Finland in America morning coffee and pulla session, at our Young & Finnspired networking event, or at our Marimekko fashion show. All of our events are linked in this e-news and here.

There will be lots to experience this year. While our friends in Finland may be enjoying sauna in the woods, we will be enjoying FinnFest’s sauna seminar. You will have a chance to get a signed book from Hanna Pylväinen, FFN Lecturer of the Year, from North Wind Books, and enjoy FFN Performer of the Year Miska Kajanus live. You’ll even hear a keynote from Pekka Haavisto.

But most importantly, we get a chance to be together and reconnect. We hope to see and talk with many of you there.

Of course, there are many other things going on at FFN right now. We are in the middle of an exciting strategic planning process that will conclude next month, and we are looking for applicants for the third cohort of our Young Leaders Board. And if you want to know more, come and visit us at our FFN booth next week in Duluth!

So, for now, suffice it to say “Nähdään Duluthissa // Vi ses i Duluth // See you in Duluth!”

Kiitos // Tack // Thank you!

Tommy Flanagan

Executive Director

thomas.flanagan@finlandiafoundation.org

HERITAGE CENTER HAS A NEW LOOK

Earlier this year, Finlandia Foundation National finalized the purchase of two former properties of Finlandia University: the Finnish American Heritage Center and North Wind Books.

On July 10, the FFN logo was added to the FAHC building at 435 Quincy Street in Hancock, Michigan, declaring a new identity for the local landmark and heart of Finnish-American activities in the Upper Peninsula.

Homestead Graphics & Design of Baraga, Michigan fabricated and installed the Finlandia Foundation logo that identifies the connection between FFN and the Heritage Center, Finnish American Historical Archive, Finlandia Art Gallery, Finnish American Folk School, monthly Finnish American Reporter, Price of Freedom museum and North Wind Books.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON THE PROGRAM

Join us for a fascinating program and Finnish conversations with Kayleigh Karinen, a Finnish-American linguist living in Helsinki with a flair for making learning fun and engaging!

Kayleigh, who is a past recipient of FFN scholarship and grant awards, will talk about Finnish American culture and heritage, as well as host a session on practical Finnish for everyday situations. This is a Finntastic opportunity to practice your Finnish, no matter the level, in a relaxed and friendly environment.

No registration is required—just come as you are and be ready to enjoy some good conversation.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

July 22: 5:30-7 p.m. "Stories from Finnish America;" click here

July 24-28: FinnFest USA 2024 in Duluth; click here

August 30: Young Leaders Board application deadline; click here

September 1: Lecturer of the Year 2025 application deadline; click here

September 1: Performer of the Year 2025 application deadline; click here

October 1: National Sauna Week Poster Art Contest deadline; click here October 1: Lindfors Law Scholarship application deadine; click here

4th National Sauna Week: February 16-22, 2025

CLICK HERE FOR YLB INFORMATION

Seeking Young Leaders

The FFN Young Leaders Board is accepting applications for our third cohort. This group is comprised of motivated volunteers between the ages of 23 and 35 who have an interest in Finnish America and Finland.

Our goal is to tap the talent pool of this generation of Finns, Finnish-Americans and others in the U.S. who are intrigued by Finnish heritage and contemporary Finland, and are looking for a way to pursue and advance those interests. We strive to create community, networking opportunities and interesting programs.

Since its founding in 2021, YLB members from across the U.S. have brought a range of expertise, from finance to marketing, to the FFN organization. They take their commitment seriously and meet virtually on a regular basis. They serve alongside trustees on FFN committees and offer fresh perspectives on current and future programs.

The YLB is happy to have worked with the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C., to establish an annual series of events focused on topics relevant to Finland and the U.S. Additionally, the group considers innovative ways to engage with new “Finnterested” audiences, both in-person and virtually.

If you're interested in learning more or volunteering for the YLB team for a minimum two-year term, please click the button above.

Call for Material: Sauna is Life

The American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia is hosting a traveling exhibition in partnership with Nordic Northwest of Portland, Oregon.

Sauna is Life: Sauna Culture in Finland will introduce visitors to the history and tradition of sauna while exploring the present and future of sauna as an idea and practice among different cultures and communities. The exhibit will open in October 2024.

If you have sauna-related objects that you would like to loan for the exhibit, please click here to contact Olivia Henley at the ASHM.

GRANT SPOTLIGHT: Your Gifts Make It Possible

From Salolampi Finnish Language Village in Bemidji, MN:

"This year, we brought the Kalevala to life with a six-scene play, featuring stories about the Sampo, a magical mill, and the fight over who owns it.

Thanks to grant funds from Finlandia Foundation National, we created scripts, acting lessons and guides for sets, props and costumes. In just two weeks, our counselors and villagers produced an incredible show!"

Your contribution makes FFN grants and other programs possible. And, your gift goes twice as far because it is matched dollar-for-dollar by the Paloheimo Foundation (up to $100,000 annually). Finlandia Foundation National, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation is tax deductible.

Please make your gift today.

Thank You!

Kiitos!

Tack!

DONATE NOW

FinlandiaFoundation.org