Saving Finland in America is Expatriate of the Year 2024
The Finland Society has awarded the Finnish Expatriate of the Year 2024 award to the Saving Finland in America campaign, which enables the preservation of valuable Finnish-American cultural heritage for future generations. With this selection, the Finland Society honors the Year of Education and Culture 2024 designated by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The Saving Finland in America campaign began in March 2023 when Finlandia University announced the end of its operations. Finlandia University was a private university in Michigan, United States, founded by Finnish immigrants in 1896 under the name Suomi College. Among other things, they hoped that the university would preserve the Finnish language and compile Finnish history in North America.
Finlandia Foundation National, an organization of Finnish Americans, quickly launched the Saving Finland in America campaign to save Finlandia University’s precious cultural heritage. In just over a year, more than 900 individual donors across Finland in America donated a total of $5.5 million to the campaign.
“The Saving Finland in America campaign is an example of courage, strong common will and perseverance. The preservation of the archives of The Finnish American Heritage Center is important so that future generations can find the answers from the past. Digitization will also make this unique cultural heritage accessible to a wider audience, says Pekka Sauri, President of the Finland Society.
After Finlandia University closed, the Finland Foundation National became the manager of the heritage center and maintains its extensive archives, the Finnish American Reporter, the Finnish American Folk School, Finlandia Gallery, the Price of Freedom Museum and the North Wind Books bookstore. The purpose of the activities is to promote and preserve Finnish cultural heritage in America.
“The Saving Finland in America project spans generations and societal interfaces. It is an example of communal activities that bring education to the present day, to everyone’s everyday life in a multi-location manner, Pekka Sauri adds.
Read more about the Saving Finland in America project on FFN’s website.
NORDIC NORTHWEST’S OFFICIAL OREGON LUCIA
Applications due October 30th!
Nordic Northwest is accepting applications for the 68th Official Oregon Lucia Court from young women with a strong passion for Nordic culture, tradition and heritage.
An Oregon tradition since 1956, the Lucia program puts young women with and interest in Nordic heritage in touch with this beloved legend of Scandinavia, while offering them the opportunity to serve their community and receive Scholarships ranging from $1,800 to $3,000. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 20 (at least a junior in high school, and a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.).
Applications must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
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ScanFair brings Scandinavia to Portland through traditional food and drink vendors; an entertainment program focused on cultural
2024-25 SCHOLARSHIPS
The scholarship application must be submitted with required support documents by 11:59 P.M. PST on FEBRUARY 1, 2025.
Nordic Northwest’s Lucia Scholarship program puts young women with an interest in Nordic heritage in touch with a beloved legend of Scandinavian Christmas.
Deadline: October 30