Finlandia Foundation National is a proud partner sponsor of this year’s FinnFest. We’re hosting and supporting a variety of programs and performances—including Finnish Heritage Night at the Duluth Huskies baseball game! This page is your one-stop hub for all things Finlandia Foundation at FinnFest. Check back often for updates, schedules, and ways to connect.
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. – 4:30 P.M. in the Lake Superior Ballroom. Eero will join several other panelists for the topic of “The Ideal Sauna Experience”.
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.
Join Finlandia Foundation’s 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—from Finland and beyond!
Join us in preserving the voices and experiences of Finnish Americans through the Finlandia Foundation National 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 Finlandia Foundation National’s Young Leader’s Board member Mirva Johnson, PhD, researcher and educator. Mirva Johnson is a recent PhD in Scandinavian Studies – 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. – 7:30 P.M. | The Nordic Center
Celebrate contemporary Finnish art and culture during FinnFest 2025! The Nordic Center, in collaboration with Finlandia Foundation National’s Art Gallery, presents Encountering the Invisible, an exhibit by acclaimed Finnish artist Jaana Erkkilä-Hill.
The evening will feature a special talk by Finlandia Art Gallery Director and Curator Carrie Vander Veen on Jaana’s work and artistic journey.
Gallery Hours: August 1–3 & August 9–10 | 12:00–4:00 PM Free and open to the public.
Marimekko Vintage Fashion Show
August 2nd, 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. | Tori
Finlandia Foundation National celebrates an extraordinary gift to the Finnish American Historical Archive in Hancock of iconic Marimekko dresses with a fashion show. Back again for a second year in a row, 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.
Curated by Phyllis Fredendall and highlighting local Finnish, Finnish-American, and Friends of Finland models.
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 “moi,” 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’s bookstore in the heart of Hancock, MI, you will have a chance to purchase all of your favorite items. Don’t miss out on these deals!
Don’t 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 + Finlandia Foundation National
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 – 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.
FinnFest + FFN YLB Finnish Heritage Night: Duluth vs. Thunder Bay
August 1st | Duluth Ballpark
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!
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—this workshop is open to all ages and skill levels. We’ll rehearse songs in Finnish, and you’ll 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 Männistö 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—it’s 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.
Finlandia Foundation National’s 2023 Performer of the Year, Ida will be performing original and cover songs (singing and playing the guitar), in Finnish and English!
The presentation will share a Floridian’s 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 Vainionpää, Armi Sturges, Daniel Benson, and Tiina Rogers.
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.
Kivajat Dancers Performance & Michigan Heritage Award Ceremony
6:30 P.M. | Finnish American Heritage Center
Enjoy a performance by Hancock’s Kivajat Finnish American Folk Dancers, a children’s folk dancing group that has been active in the Keweenaw for over 20 years. The group’s founder and leader, Kay Seppala, is a 2025 Michigan Heritage Awardee 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. – 12 P.M. | Folk School Studios (Skyline Commons, 200 Michigan St.)
Nordic Birch Stars | Lastu Koriste | Needle Felting | 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’t 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.
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
