FFSC has been promoting both local and Finnish musicians since its foundation. Concerts have included jazz musician Olli Hirvonen, soprano Maria Mannisto, violinist Kati Valimaa, pianist Marja Kaisla, the Starry Night Quartet, Mt. Baker Youth Symphony, and the Wade King Singers. In 2017 Tapio Holma served as tour guide for the North Stars Chamber Orchestra on their visit to Finland as a part of the centennial celebration of Finland's independence from the USSR.
Music
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Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter
Recent Events
Our Annual Meeting
Our annual meeting was held the afternoon of Saturday, April 27th. It was held at the Fairhaven Park's lower enclosed pavilion. The event began at 11:30 and lasted until 1:30. Our guest speaker was Western Washington University professor Dr. Vajda who has previously spoken to our group. The event was a potluck, so everyone was encouraged to create and contribute their favorite Finnish dish to be shared with one and all.
Currently we are still short a few board members since Brend and Tapio Holma moved to Finland. Please consider volunteering to serve on the board; no experience is necessary, just a desire to help our organization grow and to help create activities that would appeal to our members. Naturally, board members need to be members as well.
Another facet of the annual meeting was the election of next year's board members. According to our by-laws, only dues paying members were eligible to vote in our election, and the dues had to be paid prior to April 15 when ballots were emailed out to members. Members did not need to be present at the annual meeting if they voted via email. The results were as expected - all current board members were re-elected to their current positions.
Finding Your Ancestral Roots
(Finnish in Particular)
This Finlandia Foundation chapter meeting was held on Saturday morning, January 27th, at the Fairhaven Public Library in the downstairs room.
Our presenters were Judith Culver and Cathie Oberg – both members of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. Their presentation taught us how to research our genealogical roots and Finnish in particular. The program included a Powerpoint slide show, handouts and lecture. Questions and open discussion began at the conclusion of their presentation.
This event was free and open to the public. Coffee and treats were provided.
Finlandia Foundation National was founded by Yrjö A. Paloheimo on January 21, 1953 in Southern California. The idea to form an organization to nurture ties with Finland and promote a sense of Finnishness for younger generations in the U.S. was first conceived by Paloheimo in 1945. However, it took him eight years to gather enough interested individuals to form the first of the current 58 chapters in the national organization.
The Foundation’s mission is to promote Finnish-American culture in the United States and ancestral ties with Finland. The National Chapter celebrated its 60th anniversary in March 2013 in Pasadena, California.
The Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter was founded in 2010 and three of the founding members are still active and with the board: Tapio Holma, Asko Hamalainen, and Brend Hunt-Holma. FFSC serves as the local Finlandia Foundation chapter for Whatcom, Skagit, and Island Counties.
Upcoming Events
24th Annual Nordic Festival
Saturday, November 2nd
The event will be held at the Ferndale Events Center located at 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale 98248. It will run from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. It is hosted by the Daughters of Norway - Bellingham. There will be vendors there as well as Scandinavian bake goods and coffee. Nordic gifts and crafts will also be featured. Everyone is welcome to attend whether or not you are of Scandinavian heritage. Admission price is $5.00 and children under 12 are free.
From Costco to Comedy: My Immigrant Story
By Miska Kajanus
Performed at New Prospect Theater
207 Prospect St., Bellingham
From 7:00 p.m. Cost: $20
For tickets, please visit the New Prospect website at: https://newprospecttheatre.org/event/from-costco-to-comedy-my-immigrant-story/
Brace yourself for an evening of fun as Miska Kajanus steps into the spotlight in “My Immigrant Story.” This hilarious and heartwarming comedic monologue unravels 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 shares anecdotes from his many and varied roles in the entertainment business. Join us for an evening of laughter and discovery as Miska Kajanus brings his unique experience to life. “My Immigrant Story” is not just a comedy—it’s a celebration of fortitude, dreams, and the boundless power of laughter to bridge cultures and create a shared space of joy.
A Winter Night in Finland Dinner
Sunday, December 8, 2023
(Details to follow once finalized.)
Welcome to the Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter’s website!
The Suomi Chapter serves Finns, Finnish Americans and friends of Finland in Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. Annual events include a Juhannus (“midsummer” summer solstice) celebration in June and a Finnish Independence Day celebration in December. We also hold our annual meeting for all members and interested parties in the spring. Check out our events page for more information.
Click the Donate button below to pay your annual dues or donate to Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter.
Copyright © Finlandia Association Suomi Chapter - All Rights Reserved
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Your annual dues help support FFSC's events and newsletter.
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 fill out a questionnaire about our organization and how we can better serve you.
CONTACT US
Let us know if you would like to join our email list, become a member or volunteer.
P.O. Box 2544, Bellingham, WA 98227
ffsuomi@gmail.com
Everyone is encouraged to offer suggestions for future events that focus on Finnish culture, food, history, etc. If you have ideas, please feel free to submit them to
ffsuomi@gmail.com
Single membership: $30
Family/Couple membership: $45
Supporting membership: $50
Lifetime membership: $300
Please click the Donate button above to pay by PayPal (or credit card). If you prefer, please fill out the membership application and mail to:
Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter
P.O. Box 2544
Bellingham, WA 98227
Please email ffsuomi@gmail.com
for other payment options or questions.