The Most Important Source of Support for Finnish Culture in the United States |
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Maestro Osmo Vänskä (left) and Consul General, Ambassador Mika Koskinen of the Consulate of New York, prior to the June 3 concert at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis |
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Did You Know...
...that at Midsummer in Finland many people escape to their mökki---cottage---for rest and relaxation?
Ideally, the mökki is located on a lake in the woods, with a sauna at water's edge. It's estimated there is one of these small cottages for every five Finnish households.
On behalf of FFN, Anne-Mari Paster and Betsey Norgard presented Osmo Vänskä and his wife Erin Keefe with a gingerbread version of a mökki, complete with sauna (above). The delightfully detailed cookie creation was made by The Solvang Bakery in Solvang, California.
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Juhannus Greetings
What a wonderful start to June! Finlandia Foundation and the Finnish-American community in Minnesota came together on June 3 in Minneapolis to salute Finnish-born Maestro Osmo Vänskä (above) as he ends his tenure as Minnesota Orchestra Music Director.
We were honored to have in attendance at our post-concert reception Consul General, Ambassador Mika Koskinen of the Consulate of New York, Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, Maestro Vänskä, violinist Pekka Kuusisto, and other special guests. See below for more about the event at Orchestra Hall.
I wish you hyvää isänpäivää, Happy Father's Day, and a beautiful summer ahead.
Anne-Mari Paster
President
ampaster @ rcn. com
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Consul General, Ambassador Mika Koskinen of the Consulate of New York, Anne-Mari Paster, and Honorary Consul of Finland for Minneapolis Elaine M. Kumpula
The Finnish-American community of Minneapolis-Saint Paul was busy June 1-3, as it hosted a Finnish embassy/consulate delegation and a two-part celebration in appreciation of departing Minnesota Orchestra Music Director Osmo Vänskä.
Finlandia Foundation National co-hosted the festivities on Friday, June 3 at Orchestra Hall, before and after that evening's concert.
Honorary Consul of Finland for Minneapolis Elaine M. Kumpula hosted a reception showcasing 18 organizations and representatives of the regional Finnish community. They included the Suomi Finland 100 Chorus, which performed a flash mob Finlandia in the lobby.
FFN materials at the pre-concert Showcase
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(Top photo) Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, on behalf of Governor Tim Walz, presents a proclamation to Maestro Vänskä
(Bottom photo, from left) Maija Kuusisto, Osmo Vänskä, Anna-Liina and Pekka Kuusisto
Following the concert, FFN welcomed guests for sweets and specialty drinks, the Osmo Cosmo and Koskenkahvi, hosted by Koskenkorva vodka.
Cellist Esther Seitz, a member of The Bowery Trio (which has received a grant from FFN), played during the FFN reception. She is a Rosemary and David Good Fellow with the Minnesota Orchestra.
The concert that evening featured Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen and Concertmaster Erin Keefe performing Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Piano, Violin and Strings.
I t was also the premiere of the unfinished symphony by the late Jaakko Kuusisto. The work was completed by Jaakko’s younger brother, Pekka Kuusisto, with the assistance of score technician Jari Eskola. The symphony was dedicated to Osmo Vänskä and Jaakko's wife, Maija. She and Pekka and his wife, Anna-Liina, as well as the other musicians, attended the FFN reception.
FFN Trustee and Finlandia Foundation Twin Cities President Betsey Norgard (below), welcomed the Maestro to Minneapolis 19 years ago. She also wished him farewell at this event.
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Register by June 15 for Virtual Soiva Camp |
Soiva Music Camp will be a virtual experience, July 18-21. Instrumental students will work with experienced faculty, and have a masterclass, live from Finland, with professional musicians Jussi Makkonen, cellist, and pianist Nazig Azezian.
Cost is $300 and registration deadline is June 15.
A session for music teachers about Finnish music instruction will be offered on July 22.
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June 15: Virtual Soiva Music registration deadline; click here
July 18-22: Soiva Music Camp online
July 26: Virtual Joint Chapter Meeting
September 1: Performer of the Year 2023 application deadline; click here
October 1: Lindfors Law Scholarship application deadline; click here
October 1: Lecturer of the Year 2023 application deadline; click here
October 21-23: Joint Chapter Meeting, New York City
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FFN HAS A NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Please mail and ship all items to:
Finlandia Foundation National 254 N. Lake Ave. #852 Pasadena, CA 91101
NOTE: Send to Finlandia Foundation National (no other name, or we will not receive delivery items). Questions? Email: office@finlandiafoundation.org
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The Finlandia Foundation Florida Chapter shares that Lilli Theisen, age 17, performed in April with the New World Symphony, which was founded by Michael Tilson Thomas. Lilli was the winner of the New World Symphony Side-by-Side concerto competition.
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It is thanks to your generous donations that FFN is able to offer Soiva Music Camp and its other programs.
Your gift is matched dollar-for-dollar by the Paloheimo Foundation (up to $100,000 annually).
Finlandia Foundation National, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Thank You! Kiitos!
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