The most important source of support for Finnish culture in the United States |
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Photo courtesy Santa Claus Foundation/Visit Finland
Hyvää Joulua ja
Onnellista Uutta Vuotta!
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Marie Mazzucco photo
Did You Know...
...that Maestro Osmo Vänskä is closing his 19-year tenure as Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra in spring of 2022?
Born in Sääminki, Finland in 1953, he has been honored and recognized for his musicianship as a clarinetist, conductor and music director.
He is known for his furthering of the music of Jean Sibelius, and was called “our greatest living Sibelian” by the Sunday Times (London).
Beginning on New Year's Eve for three weekends, the acclaimed Minnesota Orchestra will present a Sibelius Festival. Click here for details.
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As the calendar year winds down, the activity level at Finlandia Foundation and many chapters ramps up for a busy season of traditional Finnish-American holiday programs.
These include online events as well as a return to in-person gatherings in observance of Finland's December 6th Independence Day, Christmas parties for the children, holiday bazaars, concerts and more.
Just one example: I had the pleasure of attending the Finnish American Heritage Society December 4th Christmas gathering in Canterbury, Connecticut. It was such a delight to visit with Anita Smiley (above, right) and other members of the chapter.
We owe much appreciation for the commitment of so many who dedicate their time, talent and financial support to keeping alive these traditions and interest in the history and culture of Finnish America and Finland today.
On behalf of the trustees of Finlandia Foundation, I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Anne-Mari Paster
President
ampaster @ rcn. com
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A SPECIAL OFFER FOR FRIENDS OF FINLANDIA FOUNDATION!
The Minnesota Orchestra is offering a 20 percent discount for all tickets for the Sibelius Festival, from December 31 through January 16.
You must purchase prior to January 15, using the code FINLANDIA20. The code is valid in prices 3-5 through January 16. Click here for tickets.
NOTE: FFN is hosting an evening of Sibelius on Saturday, January 8. Concert-goers that evening will be able to enjoy a pre-concert performance by Ruusamari Teppo and post-concert reception with Maestro Vänskä.
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FFN Seeks
Lecturer of the Year 2022-2023; Application Deadline is February 11
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As "The Finn Cooks" Eleanor Ostman (above left) and Soile Anderson wind down their Lecturer of the Year appearances, Finlandia Foundation National is accepting nominations for its LOY touring program for the period beginning July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
We are opening an application process in order to better identify people who are interested in presenting their expertise to audiences at FFN chapters across the United States. LOY topics must relate to Finnish America or some aspect of Finnish culture in the U.S. All applications must be accompanied by letters of support, and are due by February 11.
Since the program launched in 2006, the LOY has presented films, book talks, programs about history, architecture, folkways, music and more.
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Beautiful Music for the Holidays, from FFN to You & Yours |
Concert pianist Ruusamari Teppo and friends perform beautiful music in a new recital especially for Finlandia Foundation: Unelmia ja haaveita ( Dreams and Visions) at the FFN YouTube Channel.
The program premiered on Finland's Independence Day, December 6, and remains available for viewing, compliments of FFN.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY:
A special holiday concert from Finland by cellist Jussi Makkonen and pianist Nazig Azezian will premiere on the FFN YouTube channel on Christmas Day. Plan to tune in and share with friends and family! |
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COMING FINNPOSIUM ATTRACTIONS:
There's a fun and festive music video coming soon to the FFN YouTube channel featuring, at left, Consul General in Los Angeles Okko-Pekka "Okkis" Salmimies on drums, vocalist Maria Voltaine and actor/comedian/guitarist Miska Kajanus. Videographer Paul Vogel (at right) is an FFN scholarship recipient who studied film at USC.
And just in time for a special New Year's toast, FFN will host a mixology session via Zoom from Koskenkorva vodka. Cheers! Kippis!
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Please Complete This Quick Survey |
The North American Sauna Society has launched a questionnaire to learn about sauna habits and identify quality public saunas in the U.S. and Canada.
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Tax Laws Encourage Giving in 2021 |
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Many of these benefits are set to expire in 2022, so please be sure to take advantage of these opportunities before December 31st. |
By Tim Nurvala
FFN Trustee
The tax laws were changed for 2021 to help support charitable non-profit organizations, like Finlandia Foundation, during the global pandemic.
Highlights include:
For Those Who Take the Standard Deduction: Last year, everyone filing a return (individuals and couples) could deduct up to $300 for cash donations made to non-profit organizations, including Finlandia Foundation. This year, the laws were changed to make that deduction $300 per person.
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For Those Who Itemize Their Tax Deductions: In 2021, you can deduct cash donations up to 100% of your adjusted gross income to organizations like Finlandia Foundation.
Required Minimum Distributions: If you are 70-½ or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 from a traditional IRA tax-free to organizations such as Finlandia Foundation. A qualified charitable distribution will reduce the size of your IRA, which will reduce the amount of future required withdrawals, and your future tax bill, too.
"This is an enormous benefit to those who would like to give more to charity and pay less in taxes."
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TWICE AS NICE! Your gift to Finlandia Foundation National, a 501(c)(3) organization, is tax deductible and matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous grant from the Paloheimo Foundation (up to $100,000 annually). Thank you for your support! Kiitos! |
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December 25: Christmas Concert by Jussi Makkonen & Nazig Azezian
February 1: Scholarship and Lindfors Law Scholarship application deadline
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Your online shopping can benefit FFN! Amazon will direct .5% of your qualifying purchases to FFN. Click: AmazonSmile
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