News of Finnish America - Joulukuu / December 2025

DECEMBER / JOULUKUU 2025

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Dear Friends,

Just like that, a new year is upon us. Sometimes it feels as though time is racing forward at the speed of light — blink, and you might miss it. And yet, moments like this invite us to pause, reflect, and consider where we’ve been and where we’re going together.

The year 2026 offers several meaningful opportunities for reflection and celebration. Most notably, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Two and a half centuries can feel both immense and fleeting! At FFN, we're honored to take part in this national conversation through our Lecturer of the Year, Jay Smith, whose work explores the remarkable story of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence with a Finnish heritage connection. It is precisely this kind of story — where Finnish and Finnish-American history intersects with broader American history — that FFN exists to uplift and share, connecting past, present, and future.

Closer to home, 2026 also marks the 40th anniversary of the Finnish American Reporter (FAR). For four decades, FAR has chronicled the life of our community — its joys, challenges, milestones, and everyday moments. In doing so, it has become both a living reflection of Finnish-American life today and a vital historical record preserved within the Finnish American Heritage Center’s archives. As we often say, today is tomorrow’s history, and FAR has played an essential role in ensuring those stories are never lost. This year, we will honor that legacy while thoughtfully guiding FAR into its next chapter.

There will also be much to celebrate across Finnish-America in the months ahead. One highlight we are especially excited about is Hancock’s designation as the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture for 2026. The year of celebration officially begins this month with Heikinpäivä, followed by a full calendar of cultural events throughout the year, including Juhannus. We look forward to welcoming many of you to Hancock and the Copper Country — a place where Finnish-American heritage is not only remembered, but lived. You can explore what’s ahead at FinlandiaFoundation.org/Hancock2026.

As we enter the new year, many of us think about resolutions. I’ll share just one of ours at FFN: to see more of you. Our community is the heart of this work, and we look forward to crossing paths more often — at chapters, festivals, events, online, and beyond.

With that, nähdään — see you soon! Hyvää uutta vuotta! Happy New Year, and kiitos for your passion, trust, and continued support.

With gratitude,

Thomas Flanagan

Executive Director

Finlandia Foundation National

5th Annual National Sauna Week is Heating Up!

National Sauna Week is just around the corner, and the lineup shaping up promises to be one of our most exciting yet. From thought-provoking conversations to deep dives into culture, health, and heat, you’ll hear from leading voices including Bill Gifford, Walker Angell, Justin Juntunen, Dalva Lamminmäki, and many more—all bringing their unique perspectives on sauna, well-being, and community.

Don't miss a beat. Follow along at NationalSaunaWeek.com to see the latest lineup, purchase a commemorative poster, and find a sauna near you as we count down to a powerful week of shared löyly and connection.

Löyly!

FEB. 4 FINNPOSIUM:

Making Art History: Helene Schjerfbeck and the Rise of Finnish Women Artists

This special Finnposium features Anu Utriainen, Chief Curator of the Ateneum Art Museum / Finnish National Gallery in Helsinki. Drawing from her deep expertise, Utriainen will explore the broader history and impact of Finnish women artists, situating Helene Schjerfbeck within a rich lineage of creative voices that deserve global recognition.

From the margins to the world stage, this talk illuminates how Finnish women artists—past and present—have shaped national identity, challenged artistic norms, and continue to influence international art discourse. Attendees will gain rare insight into Schjerfbeck’s enduring legacy and the wider cultural significance of Finland’s women artists at this historic moment.

PLANNED GIVING INFO SESSION: RECORDING AVAILABLE NOW

Is planned giving part of your future? In this recorded webinar, Finlandia Foundation National hosted a special online session exploring how thoughtful legacy planning can help Finnish-American culture thrive for generations to come.

Viewers learned the basics of planned giving, including bequests, charitable gift vehicles, and ways to align personal values with long-term financial planning. The session also introduced the Finlandia Foundation Legacy Society and highlighted the meaningful impact its members make every day.

This session is now available to watch on demand.

📩 Questions? Contact us at office@finlandiafoundation.org

Watch now

More Than a Sign: A Political Story Preserved in the Archive

People often imagine an archive with long rows of shelves stacked high with books and boxes of papers. That’s the metaphorical bread and butter of a traditional archive, and the FAHC is no exception. We are also the home of a significant artifact collection, preserved with the same intent as all of the letters, photos, and newspapers – to tell the stories of individuals and the Finnish American community.

Sometimes the FAHC Archive receives a donation that falls somewhere between a historical document and an artifact. An interesting example of this is a campaign sign. It’s a physical object, but it also documents a political identity, a specific election cycle, regional or cultural values, and evolving design trends.

Born in Calumet, MI to the well-known Rev. Arthur and Lempi Heideman, Bert Heideman had deep roots in the Copper Country. He and his wife, Kathrine, were both very involved in education: He as a history professor at Michigan Technological University, and she as the Copper Country Intermediate Superintendent of Schools for nearly two decades. . .

Read the full story here.

Consider a Year-End Gift from Your IRA

When you make a charitable contribution to Finlandia Foundation National directly from your IRA, you support our mission while making a tax-efficient gift. The IRA Charitable Rollover Law has been permanently extended, allowing eligible donors to give from their IRA without paying income tax on the distribution.

By donating directly to a 501(c)(3) organization like FFN through your retirement accounts, you can:

Exclude the donation amount (up to $105,000 annually) from your taxable income.
Avoid higher taxes triggered by Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
Support FFN’s mission and cultural programs.

Eligible Account Types:

Traditional IRAs
Rollover IRAs
SIMPLE IRAs and SEP IRAs (inactive plans only)
Roth IRAs (inherited only)
Most 401(k) and 403(b) plans

To make a gift, please contact your retirement plan administrator requesting a direct charitable distribution to Finlandia Foundation National in the amount that you wish to donate. You should include FFN’s Tax ID Number: 95-6098250.

For further assistance, please contact office@finlandiafoundation.org or visit us online at www.finlandiafoundation.org

Thank you for your commitment to Finlandia Foundation National.

FinnFest USA has officially announced that its 2026 national festival will take place in Minneapolis–St. Paul on September 18–20, 2026, with the Hilton Minneapolis on Marquette Avenue South serving as the host venue. Following a careful review of recent operations, financial sustainability, and attendee feedback, the FinnFest USA Board of Directors determined that relocating the festival was the most responsible and forward-looking path for the organization. While the past three years in Duluth provided a strong foundation, financial realities and community input underscored the importance of returning to FinnFest’s long-standing tradition of moving from city to city. The Twin Cities offer a dynamic, accessible setting that supports growth, innovation, and a high-quality festival experience, marking an exciting new chapter for FinnFest—rooted in sisu, optimism, and a renewed commitment to celebrating Finnish and Finnish-American culture nationwide.

Our 2026 Scholarships and Grants applications period is open, offering funding for students, artists, researchers, and cultural projects that carry forward the Finnish-American story.

🗓️ Grant Deadline: January 17, 2026

🗓️ Scholarship Deadline: February 1, 2026

Learn more and prepare your application here 👉 finlandiafoundation.org/programs/

Learn more

Heikinpäivä returns to Hancock January 23–25, and in 2026 the celebration will be extra special as Hancock kicks off its year as the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. This beloved midwinter festival brings the community together with snow sculpting, a lively parade, traditional outdoor games, tori markets, music and dancing, art openings, sauna experiences, and more. Join us in Hancock to celebrate Finnish heritage, winter joy, and the start of a landmark cultural year—everyone is welcome to be part of the festivities.

Learn more at FinlandiaFoundation.org/Hancock2026.

Visit our Website

Finlandia Foundation Seattle’s Finnish Independence Day Dinner and Dance 2025 set a new attendance record, bringing together over 200 guests at the National Nordic Museum for the largest Finnish community celebration in Washington State’s history.

The program featured powerful voices and unforgettable moments, led by keynote speaker Mårten Mickos, whose reflections on independence resonated deeply, alongside performances by the Finnish Choral Society, comedian Miska Kajanus, and live music by Pirske. Guests were also treated to festive giveaways and surprises throughout the evening, generously provided by community partners—adding an extra layer of celebration to this record-breaking night.