Celebrating Finland’s 94th Independence Day in New York

The annual Independence Day celebration presented by Finlandia Foundation, New York Metropolitan  Chapter, was held on Sunday  December 4, 2011.  An honor guard of seven ladies in beautiful Finnish national costumes greeted the incoming guests.  Later those attending the event at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan were welcomed by Finlandia Foundation’s President Tarja Silverman. 

The invocation was given by Pastor Tiina Talvitie of the New York Finnish Lutheran Congregation.  Next was a performance by 2011 POY jazz guitarist Olli Hirvonen, followed by the program's keynote speaker, Ambassador Ritva Jolkkonen, Consul General of Finland to New York.  She kindly extended her appreciation to the Foundation for keeping alive the tradition for the annual Independence Day celebration.

Lt. Colonel Esa Vanonen offered greetings in his capacity as Military Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations.  He spoke of the three wars Finland was involved in during the 1939 - 1944 period.  The sacrifices were heavy, but they were worth the struggle since Finland was able to remain a free nation.  He noted that the average age of living Finnish veterans today was 88 years.  He congratulated the sole veteran in attendance, Pastor Pentti Palonen. 

The program continued with a poetry reading by Taina Elg of Allegra by Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer, the 2011 Nobel Prize laureate for Literature. 

The program that began with the singing of the national anthems of the United States and Finland concluded with a stirring performance of Jean Sibelius' ‘Finlandia’ by pianist Kalle Toivio.  Heli Sirvio was the highly capable mistress of ceremony.  - After the celebration coffee and refreshments, prepared by Martiina Linna-Hip, were enjoyed by all.

Left: Honor Guard

Right: The Program Starting at the Park Avenue Methodist Church

Finlandia Foundation lost a member who has helped us in many ways. In addition to being on our Board, she was our all-around Internet expert. She designed and ran our beautiful web site, our Newsletters, and invitations by leaflets and Internet to our events. She made the Independence Day programs, even the 93 small flags this year. She did a lot of our printings and mailings by e-mail and regular mail.  All in all, she devoted a huge amount of her time and energy to help Finlandia Foundation.

At a farewell party for Katri, arranged and hosted by Jaana Rehnstrom in her home in May, we learned that Katri had been of great help also to Finnish & American Women's Network (FAWN), to Finland Center Foundation, to New York Finnish Lutheran Congregation.