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MARRASKUU / NOVEMBER 2024
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Hei, FFN family!
Minea here. As November settles in, so too does a sense of transition. In Finnish, marras—the root of marraskuu (November)—is thought to come from an ancient term meaning “dead” or “dying.” This season brings a kind of dormancy, a necessary phase that we go through before light and life can spring forth again. It’s the season for chopping wood, changing to snow tires, and hunkering down as we prepare for winter. But in our bones, we know this is what we’re made for. And we are most successful when we do it together.
At FFN, the pace only picks up as the holidays approach. While Tommy prepares to travel to Helsinki to accept our Expatriate of the Year award on behalf of everyone who helped "save Finland in America", the rest of us are busy making Finnish Independence Day preparations. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re also gearing up for Giving Tuesday, and strategizing, budgeting, and planning for an exciting year ahead in 2025.
We are also excited to announce our Performer, Lecturer, and Artist of the Year (see below) and to bring arts, education, and entertainment to our chapters and beyond.
Sauna Week is going to be hotter than ever (pun intended!) with new programming, giveaways, and exciting partnerships that'll have you singing sauna songs. (Spoiler: our Lecturer of the Year is probably of the most fanatical sauna guys this side of the Atlantic.)
It’s been a productive season indeed. Last month, we joined Finlandia Foundation's Patron, Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen, for a special event at the Residence of the Consul General in Los Angeles. We also held a sold-out kuksa carving class at the Finnish Folk School in Hancock, and our Young Leaders Board—welcoming its new members—hosted a successful, sold-out event on sustainability at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
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Communications Director Minea Lindqvist Herwitz embracing the start of Finnish winter, 2023, at Viherin Bridge, Central Finland. | |
As we embrace the spirit of gratitude this season, on behalf of the entire FFN staff and board, I want to extend heartfelt thanks for your support. Together, we’re not only helping Finnish culture thrive but also advancing its most constructive values—concepts that have the potential to uplift communities everywhere.
Thank you for being part of this community and for helping keep our collective spirit strong. Together, we’ll get through another winter and emerge, as we always do: a little braver, a little stronger, and a whole lot more Finnish.
This is our season.
Warmly,
Minea Lindqvist Herwitz
Communications Director
communications@finlandiafoundation.org
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An Evening with Esa-Pekka Salonen | |
Last month, we celebrated Finlandia Foundation's Patron, Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen, at a special event at the Residence of the Consul General of Finland in Los Angeles. While the details of our upcoming projects are still under wraps, we are thrilled about the possibilities ahead and look forward to sharing more soon. Stay tuned for what’s to come! | |
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Secure Your Legacy on the Donor Wall at the Finnish American Heritage Center
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This is your final opportunity to be part of our award-winning Saving Finland in America. Join us in preserving Finnish culture and history for generations to come by claiming your spot on this lasting tribute.
Now is your final chance to make this a part of your legacy.
As we approach the end of the year, we’ll be closing this campaign, however contributions to this meaningful project are still welcome until December 31, 2024. All donations over $1,000 made by that date will be permanently recognized on the donor wall in the Finnish American Heritage Center, a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
For those who would like to be part of this lasting tribute, simply click below to make your donation and secure your place on the wall.
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Announcing our 2025 Performer, Lecturer, and Artist of the Year! | |
Congratulations to our 2025 Performer, Lecturer, and Artist of the Year!
We are pleased to announce the 2025 Performer, Lecturer, and Artist of the Year! Their work enriches our community and helps bring Finnish-American traditions and ideas to a broader audience. See them at a chapter near you in 2025!
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Performer of the Year: Charlotte Loukola
Charlotte Loukola is a Finnish-American violinist who holds an MM in Violin Performance from both The Juilliard School and Sibelius Academy. She earned her BM at the Cleveland Institute of Music with a minor in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University. Charlotte is an assistant concertmaster in the Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular Orchestra and performs with the Palm Beach Opera and South Florida Symphony Orchestras. An accomplished chamber musician, she frequently performs at Carnegie Hall and collaborates with contemporary composers. She also performs on the baroque violin.
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Lecturer of the Year: Eero Kilpi
Eero Kilpi, originally from Finland, has lived in New York for 26 years. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from Aalto University and has extensive experience in the North American sauna industry. He has led market research projects and contributed to outlets like The New York Times and Forbes. A founding member and former President of the North American Sauna Society, Eero has promoted Finnish sauna culture for over 15 years. He also serves as president of the Finlandia Foundation New York Metropolitan Chapter and co-hosts the "Upper Bench" podcast, where he shares his passion for sauna.
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Artist of the Year: Väinö Kola
Väinö Kola, a Finnish-born painter, now resides on the remote island of Deer Isle, Maine. After earning his B.F.A. from Massachusetts College of Art and M.F.A. from Yale University, Kola spent 26 years teaching art at Wheaton College before dedicating himself to painting full-time. His works, often inspired by natural landscapes and characterized by textured, almost pointillist brushwork, are featured in over forty museum and corporate collections across the U.S. and Europe.
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Check back on our website for updated information about these three talented Finnish-Americans. Chapters wishing to book an engagement with them in 2025 will be able to find info on the website soon. Please reach out to office@finlandiafoundation.org if you have any questions.
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Enjoy Finnish Wines for a Finnish Cause this Holiday Season! | |
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Holiday Wine Packages to support our cultural programming! 🍷
This holiday season, Finlandia Foundation National has partnered with Kukkula Winery to offer exclusive 3- and 6-bottle wine packages. 20% of proceeds will support FFN’s mission to preserve and promote Finnish culture.
Packages:
- 3-Pack: $195
- 6-Pack: $390
- Plus tax, shipping, and CRV
To order, visit finlandiafoundation.org/kukkula.
Shipping restrictions apply.
This promotion ends December 31st 2024, so get yours today!
Thank you for supporting Finnish culture and a Finnish-owned winery—kippis to that!
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Join us virtually for the Expatriate of the Year award ceremony on Wednesday, November 27, at 4:15 pm Finnish time (UTC +2). The event will be streamed worldwide, and you’ll be able to watch as we receive this special recognition. The program will run for approximately 45 minutes.
Finland Society (Suomi-Seura) has recognized our Saving Finland in America campaign as the 2024 Expatriate of the Year. This honor underscores the vital importance of preserving Finnish-American heritage, ensuring that our unique cultural legacy endures for generations to come. The award aligns with Finland’s 2024 Year of Sivistys, a cultural initiative supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
You can watch the November 27th event virtually through the following link:
https://video.helsinki.fi/unitube/live-stream.html?room=l71.
The schedule for the event will be published later on Finland Society’s website.
Read more about it in the Suomen Silta magazine.
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FFN Chapters:
Apply for a Sauna Week mini-grant today!
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Finlandia Foundation National has designated February 16-22, 2025, as National Sauna Week, a celebration of the authentic Finnish sauna and its rich cultural significance. FFN chapters are encouraged to host events and can apply for a mini-grant of up to $300, with priority given to events scheduled during the official week. Applications are due by January 15, 2025, at 11:59 PST for events taking place between the period of January through March. | | |
FinnFest early bird tickets on sale now! |
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Early Bird Tickets are now on sale! Get your Full Festival Pass for $130 instead of $150. Additional 20% discount applies to all members - see more on membership perks below. You can become a member here.
FinnFest's new website will be finished by the end of November at finnfest.us - check it out for more info on lodging discounts, schedule, etc.
FinnFest USA is looking for board members, volunteer advisors, presenters and performers. Board Members of all ages and backgrounds, nominate yourself by emailing us at admin@finnfest.us.
Presenters and Performers to provide new fresh programming to FinnFest 2025. If you are interested in getting involved email us at programmingchair@finnfest.us.
Mark your calendar for "Half Way to FinnFest" online event - February 1, 2025
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OPEN APPLICATIONS
Scholarships & Grants Applications are now open!
Deadlines:
Grants: Jan 17, 2025
Scholarships: Feb 1, 2025
Lindfors Law Scholarship: Feb 1, 2025
Sauna Week 2025 Mini-Grant: Click here.
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A View into Finland
The season prepares itself for winter. Suomi's summer dress has been changed for Fall colors, as nature grows more quiet and still.
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Is planned giving in your future?
Join the Finlandia Legacy Society today!
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Our legacy is our people. What’s yours? Learn more about our Finlandia Legacy Society by emailing: office@finlandiafoundation.org | | | | |
