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Dear friends,
Midsummer is almost here! And this year, it means something even more special.
Juhannus, Finland's beloved summer solstice celebration, has long been one of Hancock, Michigan's most anticipated events of the year. It is a time to gather with community, light the bonfire, feel the warmth of long summer days, and celebrate the heritage that connects us across generations and across oceans.
This year, we celebrate with something extra in our hearts. Hancock has been designated the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture for 2026—an honor that places our beloved city at the center of a living, breathing cultural movement that spans continents. As proud stewards of the Finnish American Heritage Center, we could not be more moved by this recognition, or more excited to welcome you.
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From June 18–21, Hancock will come alive with lectures, films, folk school workshops, live music, sauna, a Tori Market, a midsummer bonfire, the Finno-Ugric Festival on the Green, and so much more. Whether you have deep roots in this community or are discovering it for the first time, there is a place for you here.
We are also proud to share that our Young Leaders Board member and cultural ambassador Gage "Touko" Keränen has been traveling through Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, forging connections and deepening his understanding of our fellow Finno-Ugric peoples. He will be leading an educational campaign throughout 2026 to bring these languages and cultures to a wider audience—and you'll be hearing more from him soon.
Come celebrate with us. Come home to Hancock.
View the Full Festival Schedule
Warm regards,
Tommy Flanagan
Executive Director Finlandia Foundation National
| | Catch the Recordings! Recent Finnposiums | | |
In Conversation with Ida Elina: Modern Pop Kantele Queen
Ida Elina reimagines the kantele for modern audiences, transforming tradition into something fresh, dynamic, and globally resonant, captivating listeners in Finland and beyond.
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From Oulu to the World: A Look at Europe’s Capital of Culture 2026
What happens when an entire region prepares to welcome Europe through culture? Get special behind-the-scenes look at Oulu 2026 European Capital of Culture, as the people shaping this historic year share how Oulu and Northern Ostrobothnia are preparing for one of Europe’s most significant cultural honors.
| | | We have had a delightful and informative spring Finnposium event series this year. Thank you to everyone who presented and tuned in. Finnposium is going on summer break and will return in the fall with an insightful and engageing line up of Finnish and Finnish-American topics. Until then, catch our two most recent recordings (above). See you online in the fall! | |
FINNFEST IS COMING - Sept 17-20 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Catch all your favorite Finns and friends at this year's FinnFest, including our former Performer of the Year Eeppi, as well as this year's Lecturer and Performer of the Year, Jay Smith and Ruut!
And while you're at it, catch Eeppi Ursin's new album: My Finnish Soul vol. 2, out now on all major streaming platforms.
Learn more about FinnFest here.
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Artist of the Year 2026-2027
We are pleased to announce Arno Rafael Minkkinen as our 2026-2027 Artist of the Year. Arno is a Finnish-American photographer with over 100 solo exhibitions, including more than three dozen in museums, and over 200 group exhibitions worldwide. An Emeritus Professor of Art at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Docent at Aalto University School of Art, Design, and Architecture in Helsinki, Minkkinen has built an extensive international legacy not only through his photography, but also through his writing, teaching, and curatorial work. We look forward to sharing his work with chapters this next year and beyond!
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Board of Trustees: Thank you for your service!
We extend our deepest gratitude to Dirk Schulbach and Tarja Silverman, whose terms on the Finlandia Foundation National Board of Trustees have come to a close. Their dedication, vision, and tireless commitment have helped move mountains for Finnish America—and the impact of their service will be felt for years to come. We are honored to welcome them as Emeriti Board Members, and so grateful that they chose to give their time, energy, and hearts to this mission. Kiitos, Dirk and Tarja—your mark on this organization is lasting and profound.
Kiitos Dirk and Tarja!
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Call for Nominations: FFN Featured Finn
This October, the Finnish American Reporter turns 40 — and we want to celebrate by turning the spotlight on the people who make our community what it is: you.
We Finns and Finnish-Americans tend to do our best work quietly, without seeking recognition. But we know there are stories among us worth telling. The chapter leader who has baked pulla for your annual event for 25 years without complaint. The neighbor who holds a city sports record but would never tell you. The great aunt whose quiet fundraising effort decades ago saved the roof on your local Finn hall — a hall that's still standing today.
These are the people we want to feature. Nominate someone whose story deserves to be told.
To nominate, send an email to Managing Editor Dave Maki at david.maki@finlandiafoundation.org with the subject line "FFN Featured Finn" and include:
- Full name, hometown, and contact information for the nominee
- Their Finlandia Foundation Chapter or Finnish-American organization affiliations
- 250–750 words on why they should be a Featured Finn
- A JPG photo if available (300 dpi or higher; candid preferred)
Selected Featured Finns will be highlighted in upcoming editions of the FAR.
Nomination deadline: June 30, 2026
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Finlandia Foundation SF Bay Area Chapter turns 70 in style
The Finlandia Foundation San Francisco Bay Area Chapter celebrated its 70th anniversary in Palo Alto this May — and the evening felt less like a look back and more like a welcoming party for the future, with bold new initiatives in innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth engagement taking center stage. Read the full story by Nina Dahlblom on our blog.
👉 Read more here.
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Honor a moment. Raise the flag.
Dedicate the Finnish flag that flies at the Finnish American Heritage Center on a day that matters to you—celebrating a loved one, a memory, or a meaningful milestone.
Each dedication supports the ongoing work and mission of the Heritage Center, helping preserve and share Finnish-American culture for generations to come.
Or, bring that tradition home—purchase your own Finnish flag to fly with pride.
| | The Finnish American Reporter turns 40 this year! | | We're proud to be able to share news of Finnish America, in print, with over 4,000 happy readers. Subscribe today, while it's still only $40! | | |
Is planned giving in your future?
Join the Finlandia Legacy Society today!
| | Our legacy is our people. What’s yours? Learn more about our Finlandia Legacy Society by emailing: office@finlandiafoundation.org | | | | |
