Finlandia Foundation National brings you Finnposium, a variety of online chats, webinars, musical and other presentations related to Finland and Finnish culture in the United States.
The internet allows us to create a kind of virtual symposium enjoyed by the ancient Greeks: a post-banquet program of music, conversation, dancing and drinking.
The refreshments are up to you, but FFN strives to keep you entertained and informed with its wide range of programs. They will, with rare exception, be available indefinitely at the FFN YouTube channel.
Check for events at the FFN web calendar and Facebook page, and sign up for the free, monthly E-News for alerts on new programming.
Here’s a sampling of the programs available online at our YouTube channel; click video below:
UPCOMING
A Finno-Ugric World Tour | Meeting Our Finno-Ugric “Cousins”: A Cultural Journey with Gage “Touko” Keränen
WHEN: Wed. April 8 at 9am PST | 12pm EST
What if you suddenly discovered you had dozens of cousins you never knew about—spread across Northern Europe and beyond—and they all shared traditions that felt strangely familiar?
That’s the discovery many Finns experience when they first learn about the Finno-Ugric peoples, a family of cultures connected through related languages, customs, music, and even sauna traditions. Join Finlandia Foundation National’s Young Leaders Board member Gage “Touko” Keränen for a fascinating virtual journey into the world of Finno-Ugric cultures.
In preparation for Hancock, Michigan serving as the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture in 2026, Gage traveled to Latvia, Estonia, and Finland to meet cultural leaders, linguists, and community members from across the Finno-Ugric world. During this special Finnposium session, Gage will share stories and insights from his travels—introducing participants to communities such as the Võro, Seto, Sámi, Livonian, Karelian, Komi, and Votic peoples.
Through photographs, personal encounters, and cultural reflections, you’ll discover the surprising ways these cultures connect to Finnish heritage and to Finnish-American life.
Participants will walk away with:
-A deeper understanding of the Finno-Ugric language family and cultural traditions
-Insights into the shared customs that connect these communities—from music to sauna culture
-A new appreciation for how Finnish Americans are part of a broader global cultural family
As Hancock prepares to welcome visitors from across the Finno-Ugric world for this historic cultural year, this presentation offers an engaging introduction to the people, languages, and traditions that will soon be gathering in Michigan’s Copper Country. Come meet our cousins—and discover how closely connected we truly are.
Making Art History: Helene Schjerfbeck and the Rise of Finnish Women Artists
WHEN: Wed. Feb 4 at 10am PST | 1pm EST
Finland is making art history, and for the first time the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is presenting a major retrospective dedicated to Helene Schjerfbeck, one of Finland’s most influential and forward-thinking artists, marking a powerful moment for Finnish art and the legacy of a woman whose work reshaped modern portraiture and artistic expression. This special Finnposium features Anu Utriainen, Chief Curator of the Ateneum Art Museum at the Finnish National Gallery in Helsinki, who will draw from her deep expertise to explore the broader history and impact of Finnish women artists and to situate Schjerfbeck within a rich lineage of creative voices that deserve global recognition. From the margins to the world stage, the talk illuminates how Finnish women artists—past and present—have shaped national identity, challenged artistic norms, and continue to influence international art discourse, offering attendees rare insight into Schjerfbeck’s enduring legacy and the wider cultural significance of Finland’s women artists at this historic moment.
Gentle Power: Harnessing Sisu for Authentic Leadership
What is sisu—and how can it help you lead with purpose, navigate pressure, and grow with grace? Join us for a special live Q&A with Dr. E. Elisabet Lahti, author of Gentle Power, as we explore this uniquely Finnish concept that blends inner strength, quiet courage, and enduring resilience. This is the first event in our new virtual book club series, and we’re thrilled to kick it off with a remarkable story and author. Elisabet will share insights from her research—including her personal journey and epic solo trek across New Zealand as part of her dissertation—and explain how we can cultivate this inner power in both our personal and professional lives. We’ve also partnered with North Wind Books to offer Gentle Power at a special price; order your copy at shop.finlandiafoundation.org and read along!
The Road to Korsnäs: Unraveling the Iconic Sweater
WHEN: April 8 at 9am PST | 12pm EST
The Finnish American Folk School of Finlandia Foundation National invites you to join Gail DeMeyere as she takes us along on a journey of understanding more about the elusive Korsnäs sweater. The Korsnäs sweater typifies all things Finnish in its design elements, construction and dedication to craft. It is versatile, durable and once made, sweaters have been passed down from generation to generation, often being modified or mended along the way. In the past, information about the Korsnäs sweater has not been readily available. Now, with the efforts of textile historians, artisans, and museums the legacy of the Korsnäs sweater is being introduced to a wider audience. Gail will walk you through the origins of the Korsnäs sweater, teach you about its construction, and design motifs, and introduce you to those actively working to preserve the legacy of the garment. She has been on a twenty-year journey of learning all that she can about this masterful design and is dedicated to sharing what she knows to those who care to listen.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, this special Finnposium webinar explored the remarkable life and artistry of Iria Leino, a Finnish artist who made her mark in SoHo, NYC. After her passing, an extraordinary collection of her work was uncovered—now the subject of an upcoming documentary film. This event brought together four remarkable Finnish women dedicated to preserving and sharing Iria’s story. Together, they discussed themes of art, Finnish immigration, and women’s creative legacies, highlighting a powerful story of resilience, identity, and artistic discovery. Featuring: Kati Aho – Creative Producer Janna Kyllästinen – Director of IRIA (documentary) Laura Birn – Acclaimed Finnish actor portraying Iria Moderator: Kati Laakso – Finnish Cultural Institute in New York Recorded on: Saturday, March 8. Watch the full recording now to discover the extraordinary legacy of Iria Leino!
Click Finnposium at right and look for the following playlists to enjoy a variety of programming including:
In Conversation
In this YouTube program, FFN hosts get Finnish and Finnish-American individuals from a variety of fields and areas of interest to talk about their fascinating work and lives.
In this monthly program, Michel Wendell interviews Finnish and Finnish-American entrepreneurs who share their stories as they follow their dreams and paths to success in the United States.
Finlandia Foundation National is pleased to present a chat with Karl Marlantes, award-winning author of the epic novel Deep River, which is rooted in his family’s immigrant experience.
Finlandia Foundation National created this series about ICE, the story of a pastor and his young family, new to a community in the rugged Finnish archipelago.
Meet Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen
Finlandia Foundation National is honored to have had the opportunity to visit via Zoom with internationally renowned Mikko Nissinen, artistic director of the Boston Ballet.
Noted Twin Cities food experts Soile Anderson and Eleanor Ostman co-present a tasty program about Finnish foodways as Lecturer of the Year from July 2019 through December 2022.
