Events

Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter

We want to hear from you!

Are you a Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter member or interested in joining us at any events? Do you read our newsletter? Are you a Finn, Finnish-American, or otherwise have a connection to Finland and are living in the Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan county area? We want to hear from you! Please take some time to write to us and tell us how we can better serve you. ffsuomi@gmail.com

Recent Events

A Winter Night in Finland
Independence Day Dinner
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Holiday Inn and Suites Banquet Room

This event was a great time for one and all. The evening began with a happy hour and was followed by a speaker along with an Italian-style dinner. Western Washington University's Dr. Vadja spoke on the origins of the Finnish language and its influence on Tolkien's worlds. His presentation was very informative as well as entertaining. This was not the first time he has spoken to our group and will likely not be the last.

24th Annual Nordic Festival
Saturday, November 2nd

The event was held at the Ferndale Events Center.. It ran from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. It was hosted by the Daughters of Norway - Bellingham. There were vendors there as well as Scandinavian bake goods and coffee. Nordic gifts and crafts were also featured. Everyone was welcome to attend whether or not they are of Scandinavian heritage. Admission price was $5.00 and children under 12 were free.

From Costco to Comedy: My Immigrant Story
By Miska Kajanus
Performed at New Prospect Theater
Saturday, November 16, 2024

It was truly an evening of fun as Miska Kajanus stepped into the spotlight in “My Immigrant Story.” This hilarious and heartwarming comedic monologue unraveled Miska’s extraordinary journey from a quaint town in Finland to the vibrant tapestry of America.
Miska’s adventure began at the tender age of eight when he first set foot in the United States. Returning to Finland, Miska, undeterred by challenges, followed his passion for theatre as told in “My Immigrant Story.” Amidst the comedic chaos, Miska shared anecdotes from his many and varied roles in the entertainment business. It was certainly an evening of laughter and discovery as he brought his unique experiences to life. “My Immigrant Story” was not just a comedy—it was a celebration of fortitude, dreams, and the boundless power of laughter to bridge cultures to create a shared space of joy.

Upcoming Events
Vappu and Our Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 3rd, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Fairhaven Park's lower enclosed pavilion

Our annual Vappu gathering will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, from noon until 2:00. It will be held once again in the enclosed lower pavilion at Fairhaven Park. The event will be a potluck, so everyone is encouraged to create and contribute their favorite Finnish dish to be shared with one and all.

We are very delighted to announce that our guest speaker will be Eero Kilpi. He is the Finlandia Foundation National current Lecturer of the Year. The purpose of the Lecturer program is to share the history and culture of Finland and Finnish America with audiences across the U.S. Mr. Kilpi is a leading advocate for Finnish sauna culture in North America, serving as a founding member and former President of the North American Sauna Society, and he is a recognized voice on sauna tradition.
A very important facet of this gathering is to discuss our chapter's new governing structure moving forward. Beginning with the Vappu annual meeting, we will have two board meetings per year which will be open to members and include a coffee hour and opportunity for any member to bring forward an event idea they want to organize.
Board elections.
We are looking for new board members. Officer positions available include president and vice president. We are also looking for at-large board members. Board elections will be by email and are open to all members in good standing (dues paid by April 15). Members do not need to be present at the annual meeting if they vote via email.

Pancake Breakfast and National Nordic Museum
Sunday, March 2

Let's gather together and take a drive down to Seattle for a Swedish pancake and ham breakfast at Seattle's Swedish Club and then enjoy a visit to the National Nordic Museum on Sunday, March 2. We will carpool down to Seattle since a bus charter is so expensive. Plan to meet at 8:30 a.m. near the ticket booth at Bellingham's Civic Stadium where football, soccer and track events are held. We will need a few volunteers who are willing to transport others to these two events.
Breakfast will Include three large Swedish pancakes, two pieces of ham, lingonberries or strawberries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, orange juice, milk and bottomless amounts of coffee. Prices are: Kids - $7.00; members - $11.00; and, non-members - $13. We were able to get a group rate for admission to the National Nordic Museum. Instead of $20 the adult admission rate will be $12 and $10 for seniors. If you plan to participate in this Nordic adventure please let Jeff Eastman know at jeff.eastman@eastmanart.com.

The Spyglass: A Childhood in Finland and Sweden
Written by George Makela
Edited by His Daughter Carol Makela

The book traces Carol Makela's father’s childhood in Helsinki & Inkeroinen in the years leading up to the Winter War and the following three years when he was sent to live with a foster family in Sweden in the early 1940's. The story includes his return to Helsinki and emigration to the United States with his single mother in 1947, arrival in New York City, and travel by train across the United States to Berkeley, California. The memoir culminates in a re-visit to Finland and Sweden with his wife and three daughters (Carol and her sisters).
Carol has highlighted several dominant themes in the memoir which include nature, coming of age and the love of adventure. In the afterword, which Carol wrote during her recent travels through Finland and Sweden, she explores how memories of ancestors live inside of us while she leans into the spirit of hope and renewal for future generations.
Carol will be sharing her father's memoir about his Nordic childhood on Friday, March 28th at 6:00 p.m. at Village Books in Fairhaven. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/1135134270159. Carol's book may be purchased on any book-selling website and also at Village Books.
Synopsis: An uncertain future awaits a young Finnish boy as he crosses the Gulf of Bothnia to Sweden while the 1939-40 Winter War rages between Finland and Russia. This is a memoir of wartime, curiosity, coming of age, and a passage to post-WWII America. These tales form a mosaic of memory.

Another upcoming Finnish event:
Ismo is performing in Seattle in May
https://www.ismo.fun/

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