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MAALISKUU / MARCH 2023
Our 70th Anniversary Year
Finnish American Heritage Center on the Finlandia University campus in Hancock, Michigan
Did You Know...

...that St. Urho chased the grasshoppers out of Finland and saved the country’s grape crop and wine industry? 

According to legend, the pitchfork-bearing hero singlehandedly eliminated the threatening insects by chanting, “Heinäsirkka heinäsirkka, mene täättä hiteen” (“Grasshopper, grasshopper go away.”)
 
The St. Urho saga came to light in the 1950s when a radio personality in Finland, Minnesota, shared the tale.

Officially recognized on March 16---the day before the holiday of some Irishman named Patrick---St. Urho is honored with parades, dances, mojakka suppers, and green beer or grape juice toasts to the brave warrior.

Some FFN chapters host St. Urho parties dressed in purple and green (for grapes and grasshoppers), such as the Finnish Heritage House in South Thomaston, Maine (above).


Towering statue of St. Urho in Menagha, Minnesota.
Greetings!

Although it applies to weather conditions, the saying about March coming in like a lion certainly came true for the Finnish-American community in 2023.

On March 2, we were hit by the announcement from Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan, that it is closing its doors at the end of the current semester.

Established in 1896 as Suomi College, it is the last institution of higher learning in North America founded by Finns. The campus is also home to cultural treasures, including the Finnish American Heritage Center, as well as the monthly Finnish American Reporter.

The trustees of Finlandia Foundation National immediately met and agreed to form a task force for the purpose of working with the university to preserve the FAHC and news publication, as well as vast archives and collections, the folk school, art gallery, war museum and North Wind Books. 

The FFN board strongly believes in the utmost importance of maintaining these one-of-a-kind resources and programs, and that it is aligned with our organization's mission, since it was founded in 1953.

Finlandia University and FFN issued a statement about the situation, and representatives from both are working on the myriad of details and information involved in such an endeavor.

See below for links to the full press release and a few articles related to this announcement.

It has been just one week since we sprang into action on this. There are many questions and much to be done, including creating a campaign dedicated to funding this undertaking.

We are confident that this is the correct response and role for Finlandia Foundation in its 70th year of keeping Finland in America.

Anne-Mari Paster
President
News Related to FinnU and FFN Intent to Preserve Heritage
Click below for:
March 6 Press Announcement issued by Finlandia University
Upper Michigan's Source "Finlandia University, Finlandia Foundation National announce intentions to preserve history and heritage"
The Mining Journal, Marquette, MI "Task force commissioned to preserve heritage center"
Chronicle of Higher Learning "These 3 Colleges Are Closing. They Share Some Key Traits."
University Business "Finlandia University is the latest private college to fall"
New Episodes of Finnding America

On his 13,000-mile road trip across the U.S., Santi Fox visits with Finns and Finnish-Americans, including this episode with Chef Mikko Kosonen in Washington, D.C.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
March 16: 7 p.m. (Eastern) Orientation session for new leaders of FFN chapters; a separate notice with Zoom coordinates will be sent to members
April 15: Noon (Eastern) Saving the Baltic Sea webinar with John Nurmisen Säätiö, Suomi-Seura and FFN; registration details announced soon
April 25: 8 p.m. (Eastern) Virtual Joint Chapter Meeting
April 30: Salolampi Language Village grant application deadline; click here
July 26-30: FinnFest USA 2023; click here
September 1: Performer of the Year 2024 application deadline; click here
October 1: Lecturer of the Year 2024 application deadline; click here
October 1: Lindfors Law Scholarship application deadline; click here
2024
January 17: Grant application deadline; click here
February 1: Scholarship application deadline; click here
February 18-24: National Sauna Week; click here
October 1: Lindfors Law Scholarship application deadline; click here
FinnFest USA 2023, a celebration of Finnish and Finnish-American heritage, will bring a variety of speakers, programs, music, films, food, tori marketplace and more to Duluth, Minnesota, July 26-30.

Discounted Early Bird registration ends March 15. Click here for details.
Your Gifts Make It Possible
Finlandia Foundation was founded in Pasadena, California in 1953 by nine Finnish-Americans who wanted to connect, inspire and strengthen Finnish America in the United States.

FFN continues that mission through a network of nearly 60 Finnish-American affiliates in 25 states and Washington, D.C.


Our Mission Statement:

Fiercely Finnish since 1953, we champion our culture and heritage across the United States by supporting educational opportunities and promoting diverse, relevant, and enriching programs.

Please support FFN with a gift that will help us to continue to thrive as the strongest supporter of Finland in America.
Your contribution is matched dollar-for-dollar by the Paloheimo Foundation (up to $100,000 annually). Finlandia Foundation National, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your gift is tax deductible.

Thank You! Kiitos!