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. SPRING 2017 Signature Events for Finland 100 n tribute to Finland’s Declaration of Independence Finland 100 Signature Events taking place in 2017: Ia century ago, Finlandia Foundation National September 18 Santa Fe, New Mexico: Finland’s is hosting several former President Finland 100 Signature Tarja Halonen will Events throughout participate as a 2017. guest of the Women’s The first of these took International Study place in Florida on Center (WISC). February 18 in the September 22-23 Lake Worth/West Minneapolis: An all- Palm Beach area, Finnish concert by the with FFN as a major Minnesota Orchestra sponsor of the Finland under the baton of 100 Gala at the Delray Music Director Osmo Beach Marriott. A Vänskä. delegation from the Finnish Parliament, November 4 Seattle: led by Speaker Maria Finland 100 concert Lohela, graciously Dignitaries at the February 18 Finland 100 Gala include (far left) Consul by the Northwestern attended the event. General of New York Manu Virtamo; (center) Florida’s Honorary Consul Symphony Orchestra. Peter Makila; and Finnish Parliament Speaker Maria Lohela (in blue he Gala was gown). Photo by Rodney Paavola November 9 New one of several York City: FFN is a T Ossi Rahkonen (below, left) and Consul General Manu Virtamo visit at activities that sponsor of the Finland the Chamber luncheon. Photo by Timo Vainionpaa, usasuomeksi.com weekend, including Centennial Forum the Finnish American at the Union Club, Chamber of Commerce with Keynote Speaker luncheon; Speaker President Martti Lohela addressed the Ahtisaari. meeting. FN has designated FFN President Ossi Fthe springtime Rahkonen attended U.S. concert tour by the events and had the Ida Elina, a modern opportunity to meet Finnish kantele with dignitaries while player, as a Finland representing Finlandia 100 Signature Event. Foundation. Additional FFN Word from the President FFN Recognizes Kiltinens Hyvät Ystävät: with Award of Excellence e are well s described elsewhere in this newsletter, FFN’s inlandia Foundation trustees have selected Winto Finland’s Amain role is in support of Finland 100 events FPauline and John Kiltinen of Marquette, Centennial Year 2017! The organized by its chapters which now, with the recent Michigan, as recipients of the organization’s Award celebrations started in addition of the newly organized FinnsConnect of Excellence. The bi-annual recognition was January. I had the honor South Florida and just---at press time---Finlandia initiated in 2015, during the 150th anniversary of attending a series of Foundation of Montana in Missoula, now number celebration of the birth of composer Jean Sibelius, to recognize outstanding efforts in the U.S. on events in Minneapolis 54 chapters in 25 states and Washington, D.C. behalf of Finnish and Finnish-American interests, January 11-14 with individuals and achievements. Ambassador Kirsti We provide funding to the chapters to arrange Kauppi, culminating in their own centennial events, and we provide them The inaugural award was presented to the Seattle a Minnesota Orchestra lecturers and musical performers at subsidized Symphony in March, 2015 during its three-week festival, “Luminous Landscapes: The Sibelius concert on January 13 rates. This involvement by affiliated groups is the Symphonies.” and the inauguration of the Traveling Sauna, given only way that we will be able to increase broad the name “Sisu,” on January 14. I understood that awareness of the contributions of Finland and he Kiltinens have long been involved in Finnish- this was the “official” opening of Finland 100. Finnish-Americans, historically and today, to the TAmerican projects and programs in the Upper fabric of life in the United States. Peninsula and with FinnFest USA. Last year, the Republic of Finland designated John as Knight, Finlandia Foundation will recognize Pauline and John Kiltinen The Traveling Sauna started its touring of the U.S. with its Award of Excellence during inn est USA 2017 in First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland, and F F right away, heading first to Texas, then to L.A. and We see 2017 shaping up as a year with a multitude September. awarded Pauline the Cross of Merit of the Order of the West Coast at the end of March, and onward in of exciting Finland 100 events all over the U.S. the White Rose of Finland. a year-long tour that will end in Washington, D.C., This will require substantial financial resources. in December. FFN is one of the sponsors. FFN will present the Award of Excellence to the Catch Centenary Lecturers I look forward to working with you in raising the couple in September at FinnFest USA 2017 in inlandia Foundation’s first Finland 100 resources required under the common theme Minneapolis. Together at FinnFest 2017 “Together.” Fsignature event took place in the Lake Worth/ By Jon Saari West Palm Beach area with the Finland 100 Gala at Regards, FFN Trustee and LOY Coordinator the Delray Beach Marriott on February 18. FFN was Embassy Has Array of o date, the five Centenary Lecturers have been one of the major sponsors. A delegation from the Finland 100 Projects Tbooked in about a dozen places around the Finnish Parliament, led by Speaker Maria Lohela, country, from Tucson to Boston, and the Finger honored the gala by its presence. As in Minneapolis he Embassy of Finland in the United States Lakes Finns in upstate New York to the FF chapter a month earlier, a series of events took place in the Ossi Rahkonen Tis playing an active role in the Finland 100 in the mountains of Colorado. area during the February 17-20 timeframe. President celebrations, including the participation by Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi in Minneapolis in In keeping with the Finland 100 “Together” theme, they will appear together at FinnFest USA 2017 in FFN has further Finland 100 signature events January, when the Minnesota Orchestra performed Minneapolis, September 22-23. In two, 90-minute taking place this year, as outlined on page one. a program of Jean Sibelius and Kalevi Aho. And she was there to see Sisu, the Traveling Sauna, begin its periods they will address Finnish independence and journey around the country. The Ambassador will identity as viewed from this side of the Atlantic, attend additional events across the U.S. throughout where our scholars have all made their careers. the year. ollowing a recent Minneapolis screening of the Embassy Communications Coordinator Emilia Fnew Eero Saarinen film and a lecture about Fin- Honkasaari announces several online programs, land in the Protestant Reformation, the city’s public including short video greetings by famous Finnish- is prepped about Finland’s centennial and ready to Americans and friends of Finland such as composer learn about its independence and national identity FFN BOARD Richard Ahola Betsey Norgard Tarja Silverman Mailing address: Kaija Saariaho, artist Eric Aho, performer Taina Elg, in a deeper, more probing way. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] P.O. Box 92046 PRESIDENT TV host Conan O’Brien and Minnesota Wild hockey Dundee, NY Bovey, MN Greystone, NY Pasadena, CA 91109-2046 Centenary Lecturers are available for chapter pro- Ossi Rahkonen player Mikko Koivu. View them on the YouTube [email protected] Dennis M. Anderson grams until June, 2018. Find their bios and pro- Tim Nurvala Anita Häkkilä Smiley FinlandiaFoundation.org channel 100 Friends of Finland. McLean, VA [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] gram descriptions at FinlandiaFoundation.org. FFN Rochester, MN Preston, CT VICE PRESIDENT Gladwyne, PA The newsletter is produced fascinating 12-part series, “Centennial Story Finland 100 grants (up to $1,000 per chapter) may Paul O. Halme Jacqueline Harjula Anne-Mari Paster Hanna Wagner twice yearly by the FFN of Finland” is linked at the Embassy website be used to help with the hosting expenses; details [email protected] A [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Communications Committee: Finland.org. are also online. Solvang, CA Thomaston, ME Lexington, MA Washington, D.C. Jacqueline Harjula, chair; and nd to see them all, in lively interaction, plan a TREASURER Katariina Lehtonen Katariina Lehtonen, Betsey She reminds event sponsors about finland100usa. Dirk Schulbach Teuvo Pulkkinen [email protected] teuvo_pulkkinen@ Norgard, Tarja Silverman com/calendar.html. “The calendar will be updated Atrip to Minneapolis to attend FinnFest USA in [email protected] Contact Finlandia Portland, OR Lake Oswego, OR hotmail.com Foundation National: throughout the year, so please send information September, 2017! San Diego, CA Editing and production Peter Makila Maria Kizirian, Assistant to about your upcoming events to finland100USA@ SECRETARY by FFN Communications [email protected] Jon Saari the Board of Trustees Päivi Anneli Tetri Manager Kath Usitalo gmail.com.” Include the name of the event, date, Lake Worth, FL [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] time and place, a short description and link to the St. Louis, MO Marquette, MI 626.795.2081 event website and photo. 2 3 The Portland Chamber Orchestra is turning 70 in Finland’s centennial year, and plans are underway Grants 2017: Together! to celebrate both anniversaries by reflecting back on the