HELMIKUU / FEBRUARY 2023
Our 70th Anniversary Year
Finlandia Foundation San Francisco Bay Area's meet and greet with Esa-Pekka Salonen (center). FFN Executive Director Thomas Flanagan is at left.
Did You Know...

...that the seven, live National Sauna Week programs were recorded and will soon be available to view at the FFN YouTube channel?

Topics include Finnish sauna cuture, spirts of the sauna, a book talk with author Katja Pantzar, sauna diplomacy, a chat with actor and sauna entrepreneur Jasper Pääkkönen, and more.

Watch FFN social media and the website for the video release dates; click here for short descriptions of the programs.

In addition, we have several new videos at the YouTube channel for Sauna Week 2023. These include three tasty recipes from Chef Mikko of Washington, D.C.; his recipes are at the FFN website. Chef Mikko is featured in the docuseries Finnding America.

Click below for details on this year's Sauna Week, and mark your calendar for the last week of February and National Sauna Week 2024.
Greetings!

We are wrapping up the second month of the year, and we already have many exciting Finlandia Foundation happenings to report.

Our second annual National Sauna Week, February 19-25, was a success, and I know that many of you participated in our seven days of live programs.

Experts from the U.S. and Finland talked about different aspect of sauna, with opportunities for audience engagement. Several FFN chapters and independent sauna companies hosted sauna week events, as well.

On February 20, Finlandia Foundation welcomed the first, full-time executive director in its 70-year history, Thomas Flanagan. From day one, Tommy dove into his duties by hosting and participating in National Sauna Week programming.

He then attended the San Francisco Symphony's February 26 performance and post-concert reception with the orchestra's Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen and members of Finlandia Foundation Bay Area chapter.

The FFN Young Leaders Board has been working with Scandinavia House and the Embassy of Finland in the U.S. to bring to fruition a virtual film screening and February 28 panel discussion on the topic of gender equality.

Additionally, bookings of our 2023 Performer of the Year Ida Metsberg and Lecturer of the Year Suzanne Matson have begun, and we have new, original online programming in the works.

Thank you for the financial support that makes these programs possible. We are looking forward to many great things in Finlandia Foundation's 70th year.

Anne-Mari Paster
President

Welcome, Thomas Flanagan
Thomas (Tommy) Flanagan is the newly appointed executive director of Finlandia Foundation. Since it was established in 1953, FFN has been run by a volunteer board of directors.

“This is an exciting, major step forward for Finlandia Foundation,” says FFN President Anne-Mari Paster.

“We have grown to the point that we require the d­­­­­edicated effort of a full-time professional who will advance the founders’ stated goal: to ‘unite all Finland friends in this country.’ As executive director, Tommy will take us to the next level.”

Tommy, a Montana-born Finnish American, is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, with a BA in Political Science and German and minor in Global Studies. He achieved a masters in German and European Studies at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, and took courses in political science, German, Finnish and Swedish at Åbo Akademi University. Most recently, he was Language Programs Officer at Goethe-Institut. Tommy is a founding member of the FFN Young Leaders Board.
 
“It means a great deal to join an organization with such strong roots and proud heritage,” says Tommy. “I am thrilled about the opportunity to work with the board, members, chapters, friends and partners, to take Finlandia Foundation into the future, building on the solid foundation of the past. I look forward to where we will go together.”

Contact Tommy at: [email protected]
Bay Area Members Meet Esa-Pekka Salonen
Hanna Peltonen, president of Finlandia Foundation San Francisco Bay Area, welcomes guests to the meet and greet with San Francisco Symphony Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen following the orchestra's concert on February 26.

The conductor and composer is the
second Patron of Finlandia Foundation; Jean Sibelius was first.

"Congratulations to the Bay Area chapter on a fantastic event," says FFN Executive Director Tommy Flanagan, who enjoyed the opportunity to meet members and Maestro Salonen.
New Episodes of Finnding America

On his 13,000-mile road trip across the U.S., Santi Fox visits with Finns and Finnish-Americans, including this episode with Ambassador to the U.S. Mikko Hautala.

Valentine's Day with Koskenkorva Vodka
FFN and Koskenkorva Vodka teamed up for a Facebook Live mixology show on February 10 featuring special sips for sweethearts.

Global Brand Ambassador for Koskenkorva Mikael Karttunen and Steven Bousquet, president of the Finnish American Heritage Society of Canterbury, Connecticut, shared Valentine-themed, vodka-based cocktails that are tasty anytime.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
April 30: Salolampi Language Village grant application deadline; click here
July 26-30: FinnFest USA 2023; click here
September 1: Performer of the Year 2024 application deadline; click here
October 1: Lecturer of the Year 2024 application deadline; click here
October 1: Lindfors Law Scholarship application deadline; click here
2024
January 17: Grant application deadline; click here
February 1: Scholarship application deadline; click here
October 1: Lindfors Law Scholarship application deadline; click here

FinnFest USA 2023, a celebration of Finnish and Finnish-American heritage, will bring a variety of speakers, programs, music, films, food, tori marketplace and more to Duluth, Minnesota, July 26-30.

Discounted Early Bird registration ends March 15. Click here for details.
Salolampi Language Village
Finlandia Foundation believes that it is important for the Finnish language to continue to be spoken, and offers financial support for young people to attend Salolampi Finnish Language Village in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Finnish is one of 15 languages in the Concordia summer language program for seven-to-18-year-olds,

This is a unique opportunity to be immersed in a Finnish experience, from the authentic architecture to the food served, daily schedule of activities, the lakeside sauna—even the treats and souvenirs sold in the camp store.

FFN offers up to $300 to assist with the camp fee. Travel grants may also apply. The application deadline is April 30; click here for details.
Please support FFN with a gift that will help us to offer this aid to the next generation.

Your contribution 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 gift is tax deductible.

Thank You! Kiitos!
Fiercely Finnish since 1953, we champion our culture and heritage across the United States by supporting educational opportunities and promoting diverse, relevant, and enriching programs.