FINNFEST SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE --
EVENT TO OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
::: FREE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18 :::
Duluth, MN -- What do 200 violinists of all ages, an elegant fashion show, a scenic train ride, the 2nd annual DNA reunion, a spectacular concert by the Minnesota Orchestra under the baton of Osmo Vänskä, a golf scramble, a midnight 5K run, and a highly anticipated visit by the president of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen, have in common? Add to that a Day of Theology, a rock concert, numerous area tours, nightly dances, tasty Finnish cuisine, close to 300 lectures and concerts, and a women’s panel featuring national leaders, and you still won’t know everything about FinnFest 2008.
The entire event schedule and biographies of all presenters and performers can now be found on-line. Registration and tickets for all events are also available on
FinnFest 2008 Event website
The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), situated on beautiful Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota, will be the site of this five-day festival, in July 23-27. With the exception of a few specific events, everything will be under one roof. Northern Minnesota will welcome American, Canadian and Finnish guests with smiles and open arms in an amazing array of scholars, presenters, and activities.
“Sharing the Spirit of Finland” is the title of this year’s FinnFest, with programs focusing around four major themes: Finnish culture; the music of Finland; the contributions of women of Finnish heritage, and the Finnish-Anishinaabe connection. The title underscores the organizers’ deep commitment to involving the entire community – not just people of Finnish descent.
Although FinnFest 2008 will be an intergenerational event open to all, a special mission of the festival will be the focus on family and youth. All children ages 18 and under receive free registration and full-time college students under age 25 are half-price. Adult basic registration, which allows entry to almost 300 concerts and lectures, is just $75. Several ticketed events are also scheduled, some of which have limited capacity.
FinnFest 2008 Co-Chair, Jeanne Doty says: “Finland is a recognized world leader in many areas: education, design, health care, technology, and concern for the environment are just some examples. This small country continues to inspire its citizens, descendents and other people of the world with well-grounded tradition as well as continued innovation and groundbreaking technology. With the exceptional quality of FinnFest programming, we hope our visitors will leave the festival energized and ready to pursue further their newly gained information and appreciation for Finland.”
FinnFest 2008 marks the 25th such FinnFest USA event in the United States.
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FINNFEST 2008 SCHEDULE FEATURES
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND FREE EVENTS
FinnFest 2008 officially begins on Wednesday, July 23 with a opening ceremony, which is free and open to the public. FinnFest organizing committee invites everyone to enjoy this kick-off celebration, which includes Finnish music by 200 local fiddlers, traditional Ojibwe and Finnish-American performers, the Veteli Boys’ Choir from Finland, in addition to greetings and a formal welcome. In the following days, FinnFest 2008 schedule will feature lectures on a wide array of topics by guest speakers from all over the world. Some of the more well-known speakers include Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland; Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of Finland; Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, Consul General of Finland; Finlandia Foundation “Lecturers of the Year”, Susan Saarinen and Mark Coir; Dr. Arnold R. Alanen, knowledgeable author and popular lecturer on landscape architecture; Faith Fjeld, well-established Sami leader; and honorary Co-Chairs Beatrice Ojakangas, internationally known award-winning chef and author of several Finnish cookbooks, and David Salmela, award-winning architect of international acclaim.
-- NOTE: Admission to President Halonen’s presentation is FREE, but a ticket is required. Tickets to this event can be ordered with the FinnFest 2008 Registration form (available on-line).
Some of the topics for FinnFest presentations are: “Finns and Fauna”, “Women Behind Bars”, “Italian Hall Disaster”, “Rya Rug: Finnish National Treasure”, “Evolution of Finnish and English in Northern Minnesota”, "Stubborn and Silent Finns With 'Sisu' in Finnish-American Literature”, "Building a Bridge Between the U.S. College Hockey and Finland" and “Everything you wanted to know about baking pulla”.
PRE-FINNFEST TOURS
Although FinnFest officially begins July 23, intriguing area tours will be offered beginning on Monday, July 21. They include trips to Minnesota’s Iron Range, a North Shore Scenic Tour with special narration by architect David Salmela, Saint Louis County, Carlton County with well-known historian and author Arnold Alanen, Northwestern Wisconsin, Head of the Lakes Highlights, a St. Croix Avenue walking tour, and a Sunday morning bird watching tour.
EXHIBITS AND ACTIVITIES
Ongoing exhibits include the Genealogy Display, massage room, Sami Camp (with two reindeer), Military Display, Craft Room and Mini-Salolampi language program for children and families. There will be a Tanhu Kurssi: learning Finnish folk dances, singing traditional songs and discovering Finnish name day traditions. Wednesday is a Day of Theology and features presentations by Dr. Risto Cantell (Church of Finland), Pastor Pekka Palosaari (missionary in Russian Karelia), Dr. Frederick Gaiser (professor, Luther Seminary) and Dr. Philip Johnson (president, Finlandia University). Art displays include “Naturally Finnish” at the Duluth Art Institute, “Finnish Textiles: Tradition and Innovation” at the Tweed Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), and works by several artists at many local galleries.
For the sport oriented festival visitors, FinnFest 2008 offers two activities on Friday: Golf Scramble at Lesterpark golf course and 5 km Midnight Sun Midnight Run around Canal Park area.
SHOPPING AT FINNFEST
Tori (TOW-ree) - Market Place, will feature special products from local, national and international vendors, showcasing everything from handcrafts to sauna builders. Live entertainment will also be provided by a variety of musicians on the Tori stage.
DANCE AND MUSIC
Each evening has more than one dance, featuring music by the best dance musicians around: Ameriikan Poijat, Stromholm & Buswell (Finlandia Foundation Performers of the Year), Finn Hall Band, The Northern Stars, Band’O, Conga Se Menne, The May Prachar Band, Heikki Perttu and Hilkka Helena, Barry Pirkola and The Hoot Owls.
On Saturday four bands will take the Bayfront Park stage in the “From Blues to Rock” concert. Featured bands are: Indigenous - a blues-rock group, led by one of the hottest upcoming blues rockers Mato Nanji; local talent Lyz Jaakola and her blues band ‘the Smokin' Chimokes'; and two groups from Finland, Ninni Poijarvi Trio Trio and Band’O.
Other impressive ticketed concerts include the Thursday evening Gala Concert, featuring a wide variety of musical styles performed by outstanding musicians and Friday night’s Minnesota Orchestra performance and a Jazz Cabaret. In addition to the many day and evening concerts, an entire room at the DECC will highlight Finland’s national instrument, the kantele.
THEATRE AND FINNISH FASHION
There are several performances of Finnish One-Act Plays, as well as Ole and Lena’s Wedding, an interactive dinner theatre at the Historic Fitger’s building in Duluth.
An elegant Scandinavian/European style luncheon and a fashion show of contemporary sophisticated Scandinavian fashions will be held on Saturday at the University of Minnesota Duluth (only 3 miles from the DECC). Sari Knutson, of Saga Living, will feature original Marimekko fashions, direct from Finland. Lauri Jacobi Designs, will also present some original designs in wool. Each design is based on a Scandinavian legend about nature, a story with the beauty of nature, textile artistry and timeless design.
FINNISH CUISINE
FinnFest 2008 will offer special Finnish lunches on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Saturday’s banquet, “Celebrating 25 years of FinnFest”, and barbeque will also feature impressive cuisine. Attendees will also be able to sample and purchase a special FinnFest 2008 coffee, blended just for this event.
WALKING STICKS – BLUE AND WHITE FLOWERS
The FinnFest Fine Arts Committee, is seeking creative and original walking sticks that exemplify the Spirit of Finland for an exhibit “Walking in the Spirit of Finland.” Everyone is invited to use their imagination to decorate or embellish a walking stick that celebrates Finnish design, spirit, sisu (perseverance), or other Finnish ideals or characteristics. The sticks, which are due June 17, will be exhibited at the DECC to welcome all who attend FinnFest.
FinnFest 2008 organizers encourage all Duluth area residents to plant blue and white flowers this summer to help build a blooming welcome for thousands of FinnFest visitors. The front entrance of the DECC will be also decorated in the spirit of Finland with a “Welcome Rock Garden,” which will be built with an arrangement of native rocks, birch trees, shrubs, Finnish flag, and a log bench. The garden is designed and provided by Jeff Iisakka and Kraus-Anderson Construction Company.
