FinnFest 2025: A Celebration of Culture and Community
麻豆传媒AV was a proud partner sponsor of this year鈥檚 FinnFest. We hosted and supported a variety of programs and performances鈥攊ncluding a vintage Marimekko fashion show and the Finnish Heritage Night at the Duluth Huskies baseball game! You can check out the photos but clicking the button below.
Eero Kilpi, Lecturer of the Year
July 31st, August 2nd | Lake Superior Ballroom
You can catch Eero Kilpi at the Sauna Seminar on Thursday, July 31, from 9:00 A.M. 鈥� 4:30 P.M. in the Lake Superior Ballroom. Eero will join several other panelists for the topic of 鈥淭he Ideal Sauna Experience鈥�.
Later in the week, hear his lecture Sauna Lost & Found:Bringing Finnishness to a Global Tradition on Saturday, August 2 at 4 P.M. in the Lake Superior Ballroom.
Charlotte Loukola, Performer of the Year
August 3rd, 12 P.M. | Tori
Join Finlandia Foundation鈥檚 Performer of the Year, Charlotte Loukola, in the Tori Marketplace for A Musical Journey Around the World, a lively violin performance featuring pop, classical, folk, and fiddle styles鈥攆rom Finland and beyond!
Oral History Project: Share Your Story
August 3rd, 12 P.M. | Tori
Join us in preserving the voices and experiences of Finnish Americans through the 麻豆传媒AV Oral History Project. During FinnFest 2025, we will be conducting one-on-one oral history interviews with community members aged 60 and above.
This event is organized by 麻豆传媒AV鈥檚 Young Leader鈥檚 Board member Mirva Johnson, PhD, researcher and educator. Mirva Johnson is a recent PhD in Scandinavian Studies 鈥� Folklore from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has years of experience conducting interviews about local language, history, and culture in Finnish North American communities.
Sign up for a time slot by July 15 to ensure your spot in the schedule.
Encountering the Invisible: Art Exhibit Opening Reception
July 31st, 5:00 P.M. 鈥� 7:30 P.M. | The Nordic Center
Celebrate contemporary Finnish art and culture during FinnFest 2025! The Nordic Center, in collaboration with 麻豆传媒AV鈥檚 Art Gallery, presents Encountering the Invisible, an exhibit by acclaimed Finnish artist Jaana Erkkil盲-Hill.
The evening will feature a special talk by Finlandia Art Gallery Director and Curator Carrie Vander Veen on Jaana鈥檚 work and artistic journey.
Gallery Hours: August 1鈥�3 & August 9鈥�10 | 12:00鈥�4:00 PM Free and open to the public.
Marimekko Vintage Fashion Show
August 2nd, 12:00 P.M. 鈥� 1:00 P.M. | Tori
麻豆传媒AV celebrates an extraordinary gift to the Finnish American Historical Archive in Hancock of iconic Marimekko dresses with a fashion show. Back by popular demand, this show will take a different approach combining elements of a fashion show, panel, and talk show. Get a closer look at some of the vintage Marimekko dresses in our growing collection.
Show your Marimekko! All audience members are encouraged to wear your Marimekko to the show. Be a part of it!
Curated by Phyllis Fredendall who will be joined by textile artist, Kirsten Aune and highlighting local Finnish, Finnish-American, and Friends of Finland models.
Come visit us at the Tori!
Come and visit Finlandia Foundation at the tori! Whether you want to get updates about the latest programming and projects at FFN, get to know our staff, Young Leaders, board members, or just come and say 鈥渕oi,鈥� we look forward to seeing you at the Tori. Enter to win a gift basket! And remember, you can only sign up at the Tori!
Additionally, come and browse the Nordic selection of North Wind Books! As FFN鈥檚 bookstore in the heart of Hancock, MI, you will have a chance to purchase all of your favorite items. Don鈥檛 miss out on these deals!
Don鈥檛 miss Phantom Finn! You can get your signed English language copy of Phantom Finn. This is an engaging story about how one of Finland more iconic athletes and most famous runners connected people from Finland to the United States. Dr. Kalle Virtapohja tells the story, now available in English. Stay tuned for a book signing announcement at the North Wind Books Tori booth!
Fulbright Finland Foundation + 麻豆传媒AV
August 2nd, 10:30 A.M. | Location TBD
FFN is a proud partner of Fulbright Finland Foundation and their U.S.-alumni network. Together, we all value our diverse connections to Finland 鈥� whether it be through heritage and education, culture or sciences. We value exchange of people and ideas.
Fulbright Finland Foundation will be located directly next to FFN at the Tori, as we help to spread the word of the opportunities and benefits of Fulbright. Additionally, FFN is a proud sponsor of the Fulbright panel, featuring speakers Mia Filardi, Bethany McGowan, and Joe Zinno. Ed Sivak of the Fulbright Finland Alumni Council will be on site to answer questions about Fulbright Finland.
Don鈥檛 miss the Fulbright Finland panel!
FinnFest + FFN YLB Finnish Heritage Night: Duluth vs. Thunder Bay
Join us on Friday, August 1st as the Duluth Huskies take on the Thunder Bay Border Cats on Finnish Heritage Night at the Ballpark. Use promo code FINN at checkout for a $20 package that includes one ticket, one hot dog, and one 20oz non-alcoholic beverage. We look forward to see our Finn-tastic community at the game!
Highlighting our FFN Community at FinnFest 2025
Sing with the Finnish International Choir
August 2nd, 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. | St. Louis River Room
Learn to sing with a real Finnish choir! Join in this workshop where you can sing along with the Finnish International Choir. No experience necessary鈥攖his workshop is open to all ages and skill levels. We鈥檒l rehearse songs in Finnish, and you鈥檒l even get to perform alongside the choir! It’s a unique opportunity to experience the joy of choral singing in a supportive, welcoming environment.
ABOUT THE CHOIR
The Finnish International Choir is a vibrant, global ensemble that unites voices from all corners of the world. Founded in 2021 by Maria M盲nnist枚 and Eva-Christina Pietarinen, the choir brings together expatriate Finns, their descendants, and anyone with a passion for Finnish culture and music. For many, singing in Finnish is a way to preserve their language and identity, while others discover new vocabulary or gain deeper insight into Finnish culture through song.
With over 250 members from 15 different countries, the Finnish International Choir is more than just a choir鈥攊t鈥檚 a community. Through virtual rehearsals, the choir connects singers worldwide, offering a space to learn, create, and share as a unique global music family. In recognition of their cultural contributions, the choir was honored with the Expatriate of the Year award in 2023 by Suomi-Seura.
Experience the music of Ida Metsberg
August 2nd, 2 P.M. | Tori
麻豆传媒AV’s 2023 Performer of the Year, Ida will be performing original and cover songs (singing and playing the guitar), in Finnish and English!
A Floridian Perspective Presentation
August 2nd, 10:30 A.M. | Lake Superior Ballroom
The presentation will share a Floridian鈥檚 perspective on how Finnish Americans have shaped services in Florida and why their presence continues to be a vital asset to our communities.
Featuring Timo Vainionp盲盲, Armi Sturges, Daniel Benson, and Tiina Rogers.
Partially funded by FFN Kerhotalo Grant 2025.
Finland, Minnesota: History, Culture, Legacy
August 2nd, 1 P.M. | Split Rock Room August 3rd, 11:00 A.M. | Split Rock Room
FFN was proud to award a grant to partially fund the documentary project. Catch William Besonen and Isaac Hanson to learn more!
Post-FinnFest Events in Hancock, Michigan
Monday, August 4th
Exhibit: The Folk School at Midsummer
June 12 鈥� September 10 | Finlandia Gallery
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of traditional craft at The Folk School at Midsummer, the fourth annual group exhibit featuring work by instructors and students of the Finnish American Folk School. From weaving and woodcarving to clay whistle making and musical performance, this showcase highlights the beauty and variety of folk arts practiced in our community.
Experience the joy of handmade tradition, creativity, and cultural connection.
鈥淧hantom Finn鈥� Discussion and Book Signing
August 4 | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm EDT at Finnish American Heritage Center
Meet sports historian and author Kalle Virtapohja, PhD along with Jari Salonen, CEO of Paavo Nurmi Games, as they discuss the history of Paavo Nurmi and how the world鈥檚 greatest runner bridged Finland and America. Nurmi, the olympian also known as the 鈥淔lying Finn,鈥� dominated distance running in the 1920s. Nurmi set 22 official world records at distances between 1,500 metres and 20 kilometres, and won nine gold and three silver medals in his 12 events in the Summer Olympic Games.
Join us at our bookstore North Wind Books for this exciting event!
Kivajat Dancers Performance & Michigan Heritage Award Ceremony
6:30 P.M. | Finnish American Heritage Center
Enjoy a performance by Hancock鈥檚 Kivajat Finnish American Folk Dancers, a children鈥檚 folk dancing group that has been active in the Keweenaw for over 20 years. The group鈥檚 founder and leader, and a representative from the Michigan Traditional Arts Program will be on site to bestow the award during the event.
The Michigan Heritage Awards honor individuals who continue their family and community folk traditions with excellence through practice and teaching, or individuals who are recognized as outstanding community leaders in the maintenance, documentation, or presentation of traditional arts.
Admission is free. Donations welcome, no registration required.
Exhibit Opening: Why did the Finns come to Copper Country?
10 A.M. | Wiljanen Community Hall, FAHC
This exhibit will focus on the timeline and reasons for Finnish immigration to the Copper Country and explore themes of family, occupation, recreation, and education, as well as social, political, and religious movements among Finnish immigrants and their descendants.
Curated by Joanna Chopp, Archivist.
Tuesday, Aug. 5th
Finnish American Folk School Workshops
10 A.M. 鈥� 12 P.M. | Folk School Studios (Skyline Commons, 200 Michigan St.)
Nordic Birch Stars | Lastu Koriste | Intro to Jouhikko
Sample a short workshop at the Finnish American Folk School. Learn a new skill, and go home with a hand made souvenir! Public registration opens July 15. Workshop descriptions will be posted on Folk School website.
Admission is $20 per person. Pre-registration required, choir members get first registration opportunity.
Finnish International Choir Concert: Songs and Stories of the Heart
7 P.M. | Finnish American Heritage Center
Songs and Stories of the Heart. If you missed them at FinnFest, or you can鈥檛 get enough of them, join us at the Finnish American Heritage Center for a touching evening concert.
Admission: Suggested donation $20. Tickets available at the door.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Finnish International Choir Concert: Community Singalong
6 P.M. | Finnish American Heritage Center
The Finnish International Choir will join forces with several Copper Country-based groups and individuals to host this community singalong. Come by and take part in the tradition of music, one of our most prized pieces of Finnish and Finnish-American culture.
Admission: Donations welcome, no registration required
