Finlandia Foundation® National

Our Mission is to sustain both Finnish-American culture in the U.S. and the ancestral tie with Finland by raising funds for grants and scholarships, initiating innovative national programs, and networking with local chapters. FALL 2016 Joint Chapter Meeting Brings Members Together

rom Maine to He introduced the FCalifornia, Oregon Ambassador of Finland to to Florida, Utah to the U.S., Her Excellency Texas, representatives Kirsti Kauppi, who of 34 organizations stressed the importance affliated with Finlandia of Finland 100 in 2017, Foundation traveled to both in planning events Washington, D.C. for a and as a chance to involve Joint Chapter Meeting, the next generation in November 4-6. It was chapter activities. For the frst time since 2006 example, school children that FFN had called and teens could study the such an assembly, and history of Finland and enthusiasm was high, utilize social media to with two thirds of 52 share their knowledge. chapters represented. “Next year we have a Several had more than huge opportunity, and if one person in attendance. we do anything---even The weekend opened with small things---it will pay a Friday afternoon visit to off in the future.” The the Embassy of Finland. Ambassador closed by Cultural Counselor saying, “We are grateful Annina Aalto and FFN President Ossi Rahkonen opens the Joint Chapter Meeting for the work you do and Press Counselor Sanna the interest you show in Kangasharju gave an overview of Embassy plans for both Finnish America and Finland.” Finland’s independence celebrations in the U.S., and ina Strandberg, executive director of Suomi- explained the architecture and innovative features TSeura in Finland, explained that the Finland of the LEED Platinum-rated Embassy building. Society makes grants available for Suomi language ollowing a tour, some attendees opted for that schools and Finnish expatriate groups, and works Fevening’s Saunailta, a chance to experience the with the media to raise awareness about Embassy’s sauna, and enjoy supper and socializing expatriate Finns. She encouraged participation in with members of the Finlandia Foundation National the Finnish Expatriate Parliament (FEP). Capital Chapter. “On the eve of Finland’s centennial we have many FFN President Ossi Rahkonen formally opened the reasons for celebration,” she said. “Let’s celebrate Joint Chapter Meeting (JCM) on Saturday morning, together.” saying, “You are the key to this meeting. We are continued on page 11 here to learn from you.” Word from the President Exciting Music Program Hyvät Ystävät: Available for 2017 ear 2017 will be an celebrations. FFN is also planning to sponsor By Betsey Norgard Yimportant one for several national level events, ranging from symposia FFN Trustee and POY Coordinator Finlandia Foundation in New York City and Santa Fe, to concerts in Los and Finland, Angeles and Minneapolis. he Finland 100 Music Program created by recognizing Finland’s TFinlandia Foundation offers something for every e are also trying to enhance the awareness of chapter in 2017. In the spotlight will be the debut 100th anniversary on Finnish America in Finland. December 6, 2017. W U.S. tour of Ida Elina, whose instrument is kantele, Sibelius Inspiration by Nazig Azezian and Jussi Makkonen is I was interviewed recently by Finnish Yle radio but whose style is pop and jazz. The exciting young featured in the 2017 FFN Music Program. Finlandia Foundation, about how Finnish-Americans maintain their performer from Finland will enthuse young and old Mertanen, and soprano vocalist Marja Liisa Kay. with its 52 chapters, cultural traditions and ties with Finland. As alike with her mix of original music and covers of Each has prepared a varied program of Finnish is fully engaged an indication of increased recognition of our pop artists. Due to visa requirements, most of her composers in different genres. in planning for organization, FFN has received a grant from the schedule has been booked, but there may still be the celebration next year. Although the actual Suomi/Finland 100 secretariat attached to the limited availability for her program in spring. FFN presents fve former Performers of the Year anniversary date is near the end of 2017, our events Finnish Prime Minister’s Offce. It will support our who are interested in appearing during the 2017 will be spread throughout the entire 12 months. Also in the spotlight are Finnish cellist Jussi Suomi/Finland 100 program in the U.S. centennial. Pianist Craig Randal Johnson (1999), Makkonen and pianist Nazig Azezian, presenting There is a connection between Finland’s 100th singer-songwriter Maria Kizirian (2012), soprano The execution of this program, which mainly Sibelius Inspiration, a new multimedia program of anniversary and composer Jean Sibelius, whose Maria Männistö (2007), fddler and composer Sara consists of support to FF chapters, requires striking videos, live music and narration. Audiences 150th birthdate anniversary we celebrated last year. Pajunen (2015), and jazz guitarist Olli Hirvonen a substantial fnancial commitment, making will be transported to the magnifcent panoramas Sibelius, our frst patron, was a key supporter in the (2014) await invitations from local chapters. fundraising increasingly important. We are of Eastern Finland that so inspired Jean Sibelius’ national movement that led to Finland declaring its therefore signifcantly increasing our fundraising music. After performing Sibelius for hundreds of ll of these performers are available under terms independence from Russia in 1917. Sibelius created efforts, and I hope that all of you join us in making thousands of concert-goers, Jussi and Nazig want similar to the POY program: FFN pays for travel many masterly classical works, but his Finlandia, the execution of these programs possible. A composed in 1899, became a symbol for Finns to bring Sibelius’ world to audiences to experience to the location, and the host chapter covers costs yearning for independence. It is still much admired wish you enjoyable year end celebrations and New Finnish nature as the composer did. Sibelius for local transportation and accommodations, plus around the world. I Year! Parasta Vuodenlopun aikaa ja Onnellista Inspiration is available in February, March and an honorarium. A Music Program brochure has Uutta Vuotta! November 2017. been mailed to chapters, and is available at the ibelius composed his Fifth Symphony for FFN website: FinlandiaFoundation.org. For more Spresentation at his 50th birthday in 1915; he innish music, classical and contemporary, is information contact Betsey Norgard, norgard@ was by that time already so well known in Finland Fperformed by pianists Laura Mikkola and Janne paulbunyan.net or Satu Mikkola, [email protected]. that the birthday was declared a public holiday. With the December 8 birthdate of Jean Sibelius and December 6 Independence Day, FFN has two Ossi Rahkonen Chapters Eligible for $1,000 Finland 100 Grants signifcant celebrations close to each other. This newsletter outlines actions we are taking inlandia Foundation is happy to support Chapters are asked to include the Finlandia to help FF chapters in their Suomi/Finland 100 Fcelebrations of the centennial of Finland’s Foundation National logo and/or mention of FFN independence with a grant of up to $1,000 per support in materials related to the events. chapter. The goal is for each chapter to host at To receive this funding, the chapter representative least one Finland 100 event in 2017. The centennial must submit the request form to the FFN offce. Mailing address: FFN BOARD Richard Ahola Betsey Norgard Tarja Silverman is a wonderful opportunity to build awareness Funds will be released to the chapter post-event, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 92046 PRESIDENT of Finland and Finnish America, and with 52 Dundee, NY Bovey, MN Greystone, NY Pasadena, CA 91109-2046 after the follow-up report and support materials are Ossi Rahkonen FFN-affliated organizations in 25 states and [email protected] Dennis M. Anderson Tim Nurvala Anita Häkkilä Smiley 626.795.2081 received at the offce. The forms have been sent to McLean, VA [email protected] @ [email protected] [email protected] offce fnlandiafoundation.org Washington, D.C., we can reach a wide audience. chapter presidents and are at the FFN website. VICE PRESIDENT Rochester, MN Gladwyne, PA Preston, CT FinlandiaFoundation.org Paul O. Halme Chapters may request funds for one event, or Katariina Lehtonen Anne-Mari Paster Päivi Anneli Tetri The newsletter is produced FN will post the events on its Finland 100 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] smaller amounts to support multiple events, up Solvang, CA twice yearly by the FFN web calendar, and share the information with Lake Oswego, OR Lexington, MA St. Louis, MO to a maximum funding of $1,000 per chapter. F TREASURER Communications Committee: Suomi/Finland 100. FFN would appreciate photos Peter Mäkilä Teuvo Pulkkinen Hanna Wagner Jacqueline Harjula, chair; and Dirk Schulbach [email protected] The activity may be whatever the chapter deems teuvo_pulkkinen@ [email protected] Katariina Lehtonen, Betsey and materials from each event for its newsletters, [email protected] Lake Worth, FL hotmail.com appropriate for its members and community, and it Portland, OR Washington, D.C. Norgard, Tarja Silverman brochures and the website, and for a permanent Satu Mikkola San Diego, CA must be related to the centennial. SECRETARY Contact Finlandia record in its archives in Pasadena. [email protected] Jon Saari Editing and production by Jacqueline Harjula Poulsbo, WA Foundation National: Kath Usitalo There is no deadline for application; funds will be [email protected] [email protected] Maria Kizirian, Assistant to The FFN Finland 100 grant information is online at Marquette, MI [email protected] Thomaston, ME the Board of Trustees available to chapters throughout 2017. FinlandiaFoundation.org. 2 3 Taking a Finnish Tradition on the Road Embassy Plans for Finland 100 he Traveling Sauna, one of the fun Finland 100 hildren will be thrilled to meet the real Santa, Tprojects in the U.S., will hit the road in Texas Cdirect from Rovaniemi, Finland, when he comes in February of 2017 and cover more than 10,000 to Washington, D.C. for a Dupont Circle Christmas miles from coast to coast by the time it reaches celebration in early December 2017. It’s just one Washington, D.C. in early December. of the events planned by the Embassy as part of A group of Finns and Finnish-Americans hatched its Finland 100 program, according to Cultural the concept of the rolling sauna as a way to build Counselor Annina Aalto. awareness of Finland and the anniversary of its Speaking to FFN Joint Chapter Meeting guests independence throughout the year and across the during their recent visit to the Embassy, she country. The Traveling Sauna was commissioned described other highlights ahead, such as the by the Embassy of Finland in Washington as Traveling Sauna and a Midsummer celebration in a “centennial mascot” that can bring publicity the heart of D.C. should be directed to Ice Cold Marketing, the to activities organized by Finnish and Finnish- nnina announced a series of online programs Minnesota frm that is producing the project. American groups. Its adventures will be supported A designed to tell Finland’s story, with each by a social media campaign. Contacts at Ice Cold Marketing are: month’s entry depicting a 10-year phase of Finnish uilt by TyloHelo, the sauna will be available for Jouko Sipilä, 203.918.9920, [email protected] and history. The Embassy is also producing a short BFinland 100 events along its route. Inquiries Risto Sivula, 651.278.1398, [email protected] video with greetings to Finland from 100 famous For more information: travelingsauna.com Finns, Finnish-Americans and others. Annina Aalto speaks into a Catchbox, a tossable microphone ---a Finnish innovation---about centennial events that the Fi